Stray Rabbits

A stray rabbit is any rabbit living outside and not reliant on one or more people for food, care, and shelter. Most often, stray rabbits are unfriendly or fearful of people. 

Many stray rabbits can look like pet rabbits. Despite their appearance, most of these rabbits have lived outside their whole lives and are not pets. These rabbits are often fearful of people and would suffer in a typical home or shelter environment.

Observe the rabbit to see if it is healthy. Unless they are sick, injured, or in immediate danger, the rabbit should be left where it is.

Most stray rabbits are fearful and unfriendly, making socialization and safe handling very difficult. Because of these behaviors, stray rabbits are rarely suitable for adoption, and euthanasia is often the most humane outcome.

If a rabbit has been abandoned and is friendly and social, contact our team to learn about intake procedures.

While most stray rabbits are harmless, we also understand they can be unwelcome guests on your property. There are many humane options that can help deter rabbits from your property.

Remove food and water sources: regularly mow your lawn, keeping it short to reduce attractive plants like clover and dandelions. Fix leaky faucets and ensure proper drainage to prevent standing water.

Remove hiding places: Trim back overgrown grass, shrubs, and brush piles, as rabbits prefer these areas for shelter.

Plant repellents: While no plant is foolproof, some deter rabbits due to their strong scents. Consider planting garlic, marigolds, lavender, rosemary, or oregano.

Use safe, homemade repellents: Spray a mixture of garlic, cayenne pepper, and water around your plants. Rabbits are sensitive to strong smells.

Use non-lethal commercial repellents: Rabbit repellents are available at most hardware stores. Be sure to follow the manufacturer’s recommended treatment.

Use scare devices: Motion-activated sprinklers or scarecrows can startle rabbits and deter them.

Use physical barriers: Install a 2–3-foot fence made of mesh or chicken wire, especially if you have a dense rabbit population. Extend the fence underground to prevent digging. Wrap the base of your trees with tree guards to protect them from damage during winter months.