Wild rabbits

Wild vs. Domestic
Feral rabbits are not wild rabbits. These are domesticated rabbits that have either escaped or been abandoned by their owners. Domesticated rabbits cannot breed with wild cottontails because they are a different species. The brown/grey agouti pattern of a wild rabbit can be similar to a domestic rabbit's but they are not the same.

If you find a wild rabbit, please leave it alone and do not try to take it home as a pet. Wild rabbits do not belong as house pets. Wild rabbits are usually very nervous due to their innate instinctual fear of humans and do not adapt or handle stress well. They belong in the wild, and it is not a good idea to remove them from their natural home. As a wild animal, it may carry diseases that can transfer to your existing pets as well as people. In many places, wild animals cannot be taken care of without the proper permits. If you would like a pet rabbit, please consider obtaining a domestic breed instead.

Some more reading about the differences between wild and domestic rabbits have been listed below.
 * FosterBunnies, Wild vs. Domestic
 * NatureWorks, Eastern Cottontail - Sylvilagus floridanus
 * International Wildlife Rehabilitation Council, Eastern Cottontail (Sylvilagus Floridanus)
 * House Rabbit Society, Kate McGinley, Peter, Bugs, or Roger? Can You Tell a Cottontail from a Hare from a House Rabbit?
 * Rabbit Rescue, Inc., Cottontails
 * House Rabbit Society, Holly O'Meara, Stray Rabbits

Orphaned Wild Rabbits
If you find a baby wild rabbit, leave it alone. It is most likely not abandoned unless you know for a fact that you killed their mother. Rabbits return to feed their young only once or twice a day for a few minutes, usually at night. Just because the babies have been alone for 5 minutes does not mean that they have been abandoned. The mother is typically gone from the nest to eat and draw attention away from the nest. Additionally, baby wild rabbits can survive on their own at a surprisingly young age. In most countries, it is also illegal to possess and take care of wildlife without proper permits.

To determine how old a baby cottontail is, refer to this site.

It is a myth that a mother rabbit, or doe, will abandon her babies purely due to another animal's scent on them. Only her death or the inability to get to her babies will deter her from her offspring. However, a continued physical presence of a perceived enemy can stress mother rabbits out to kill their young. Consequently, use third party methods such as crisscrossing unscented dental floss or leaving flour or unscented baby powder around the nest to detect whether or not a mother has returned to feed her young in the next 24-48 hours.

Additionally, while touching the baby rabbit may not cause the mother to abandon her offspring, you may still transfer deadly diseases from your hands. Baby rabbits have very weak immune systems that have not been fully developed until they have been weaned after 4 weeks of age. Observe, and please do not touch wild baby rabbits. In the case that you find that the babies have been abandoned, please use clean gloves or towels and wash your hands thoroughly.

If you do end up in the possession of a baby wild rabbit, do not feed any cow's milk, starchy vegetables like carrots, or any fruit. These are terrible for any rabbit's digestion as a diet, let alone a delicate baby's.

Wildlife Rehabilitator Listings
Make sure that the wildlife rehabilitators accept rabbits before dropping them off. Typical animal shelters and vets will be unable to deal with wildlife without proper permits.

International

 * WildlifeRehabber.org
 * The Wildlife Rehabilitation Information Directory, How To Locate a Wildlife Rehabilitator

United States
Remember to also check your state department of fish and game for more wildlife rehabilitator contacts.


 * Ohio Wildlife Rehabilitators Association, State Agency Lists of Permitted Wildlife Rehabilitators
 * WildCare, List of Wildlife Rehabilitators