I just found bunnies! What do I do?

LEXINGTON, Ky. (WTVQ) – Lexington-Fayette Animal Care & Control are alerting residents to a higher chance of finding baby rabbits during this time of year, and that despite the temptation, it is very hard to successfully raise bunnies by hand.  According to officials the best chance for survival for a group of bunnies, is to remain in the nest with their mother.

Animal Care and Control officials say that Mother rabbits only attend to and feed babies twice-a-day, once in the very early morning and once at night just after dusk. They also say that if they sense someone is watching them, they will not approach their nest.

That being said, if you happen to find a nest, and the babies are uninjured, cover the nest back up with the nesting material (if available).  If the original material is not available, cover it up with light grass clippings and leaves. Line the outside of the nest with a dusting of flour (approximately 12 inches in diameter) or place an X over the top of the nest with string or sticks. Wait until the next morning and check the flour for footprints or see if the X has been moved. This will indicate the mother has been back to care for them.

If there is no sign of the mother after 24 hours, place the babies in a box lined with a towel and bring the box to Lexington-Fayette Animal Care & Control at 1600 Old Frankfort Pike.