Any rabbit hit by a car will 100% need to see a vet. In the meantime, keep the rabbit comfortable in a box, with some towels. Also put some grass or some type of lettuce (anything but iceberg) to nibble in there with her. Make sure the rabbit cannot jump out of the box. Bring it to a vet tomorrow and let them do a check-up. Also, now is a good time to start researching a rehab facility near you who may be able to care for the rabbit after the vet makes a diagnosis.

from L to R: Wednesday, Thursday, Monday @ 4 weeks old

Thank you to Michelle for the beautiful rabbit watercolor painting!

Received a call that baby bunnies were found in Nutley (Thanks Restaino’s!), unfortunately their Mom was found hit by a car. So in moved my new house guests, and they are doing fantastic! Here they are at 1 and 2 weeks old! They grow a lot in that amount of time! Friends on Facebook voted on names for them, so say hello to the cutest days of the week: Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday & Friday!

Paul decided to lie in the grass and relax… Looked like a good idea to Meadow and Cinny!

Cinnabun likes to scrunch up like a little easter egg and relax on the fold-able floor chair….

Doesn’t he look comfy?!

I Found Baby Rabbits – Now What?

If you find baby bunnies, and their nest has been damaged, the nest can be repaired. Look for a shallow depression lined with grass/fur. Place babies in nest with light layers of grass to hide them. Leave the area or the mother will not return. Mothers return only at dawn and dusk.

If you find healthy baby bunnies that are 4-5 inches long, able to hop, with eyes open and ears up, they do not need help. They are able to survive on their own. Leave them alone.

Questions? Call a wildlife rehabilitator or contact a veterinarian.

How to Rescue Baby Mammals

1. If you find an animal that appears to be injured or in distress, please keep it in a warm, dark and quiet place. Place the animal in a ventilated box with a clean, soft cloth. Tape the box shut.

2. Note exactly where you found the animal. This will be very important for release.

3. Wrap a hot water bottle in a sock or set a heating pad on ’low’ and place in box. Do not place animal directly on a heat source. Do not use heat lamps.

4. Handle the animal as little as possible; do not bother it. Do not handle the animals directly with bare hands, wear gloves. Some animals may bite or scratch to protect themselves, others may carry disease (fleas, ticks, etc.). Wash your hands after contact with the animal.

5. Keep the animal away from pets and children.

6. Do not attempt to offer the animal food or water. Doing so could actually harm instead of help the animal.

7. Contact a local rehabilitation center, state wildlife agency, or wildlife veterinarian as soon as possible for further instructions.

** NOTE: It is against the law in most states to keep wild animals if you do not have permits, even if you plan to care for, then release them.**

And now for some very exciting news! I was interviewed by Marie Claire for my volunteer work in wildlife rescue and rehabilitation … and am featured in the February 2010 issue of the nationwide magazine!

I am really proud of the volunteer work I do, and feel blessed that I get to do it! There is no easier way to get out of bed than to know you are bettering the lives of some orphaned,  injured and wild friends!

A special thank you to Jihan at Marie Claire!

~Regina

I have always loved animals. One Father’s Day, my Dad, younger brother and I went to the Nutley Pet Center just to look around at all the animals, with no intention of buying any (Mom is allergic to most!). Rabby had other plans! She picked US out of the crowd and convinced us she was moving in! Later that day we took her home (to the surprise of my mother, as she stood at the front door!) and the rest is history! Rabby was a joy to have around and I still think about her everyday!

Especially important as the holiday season approaches, rabbit owners should be aware that the plants in their home may be poisonous. The following is a listing of plants normally thought to be poisonous. Unless otherwise stated, consider all parts of the plant poisonous. You should restrict your pets’ access to questionable plants.

Agave (leaves)
Amaryllis (bulbs)
Apple (seeds)
Azalea
Bird of Paradise (seeds)
Bloodroot
Buttercup (leaves)
Black Locust (seeds)
Boxwood (leaves/twigs)
Buckeye (seeds)
Buckthorn (berries)
Caladium
Calla (rhizome)
Castor Bean (seed)
Christmas Rose
Cone Flower
Crown of Thorns
Daffodil
Daphne
Delphinium
Dumbcane (Dieffenbachia)
Eggplant (plant)
Elderberry (unripe berries)
Elephant Ear
Flowering Tobacco
Foxglove
Holly (berries)
Horsechestnut (nuts)
Hyacinth
Iris
Ivy, Boston & English (berries)
Jack-in-the-Pulpit
Jerusalem Cherry
Jimson Weed
Jonquil
Lantana
Larkspur
Lily-of-the-Valley
Lupine
Mayapple
Mistletoe (berries)
Morning Glory (seeds)
Mustard (root)
Narcissus
Nicotiana
Nightshade
Oleander
Philodendron
Poison Hemlock
Poison Ivy
Potato (green)
Privet (berries)
Ranunculus
Rhododendron
Rhubarb (leaf blade)
Rosary Pea (seed)
Snow-on-the-Mountain
Sweet Pea (seeds)
Sweet Potato
Skunk Cabbage
Tansy
Tomato (leaves)
Tulip
Virginia Creeper (berries)
Water Hemlock
Wisteria (seeds/pods)
Yew (berries)

Never hesitate to seek medical aid if you think a person or animal has ingested a poisonous substance.

Compiled by the University of Illinois’ College of Agricultural, Consumer and Environmental Sciences. Reprinted with permission. Copyright 1995 by the Board of Trustees of the University of Illinois.

Meadow & Cinnabun did not enjoy dressing up in their Halloween costumes!

This act of everyday wildlife rescue heroics is sure to warm your heart!

A baby bunny became stuck in a rat trap outside an office building in Edison, NJ. Reacting quickly, Leonard Lisacchi, Jr. grabbed his gloves, ran outside, and pried the trap open. Moments later, a terrified little bunny came flying out and ran back under the gazebo to rejoin the rest of its family! Relieved and overjoyed, everyone watching the rescue in action clapped for our heroic rescuer!

Another successful wildlife rescue story, thanks to such a wonderful, kind-hearted person!