Content

• To step
• Part 1 of 2: Getting a rabbit used to you
• Part 2 of 2: Using a humane trap
• Warnings

If you find a wild rabbit in your yard or on your property, you may want to catch and tame it. You should know that a wild rabbit usually never becomes completely tame, even with lots of training. In addition, many countries have laws against keeping wild animals as pets unless you are affiliated with a wildlife rehabilitation center. If you are unsure, ask your vet about the laws. If you want to catch a rabbit and move it to a safer place, there are ways to tame it for this purpose.

To step

Part 1 of 2: Getting a rabbit used to you

1. Be prepared for him to run away. Rabbits are prey animals by nature, so they experience more stress than other animals. This means that your wild rabbit is likely to run away if you get close to him. His primary survival instinct is to run to a safe place.
   • Don't try to stop the rabbit. This will only make him more stressful. It can lead to his death, as rabbits can have a heart attack and go into shock, causing his intestines to stop working and starving him to death.
2. Lie down by it. In order for the rabbit to get used to you and not see you as a danger, you need to reduce your height when you approach him. You are then less threatening. If he approaches you, don't respond immediately. Lie still as long as possible, this can take hours. It can further take several tries on several days, until it gets used to you.
3. Make sure you don't smell like other animals. If you smell like another animal that normally chases rabbits, such as dogs or cats, it may not approach you. Before going outside, put on freshly washed clothes to make sure you don't smell like another animal.
4. Leaves a trail of food. When you try to get the rabbit used to you, you can put a trail of tasty food that will make the rabbit come to you. This also includes leafy greens, such as sword herd and dandelion leaves, and pieces of carrot. This will help him to trust you, which is one step in the training.
5. Talk to it softly. When trying to tame a rabbit, speak to it softly in a calm, small voice. This will help calm him down and not cause additional stress.
   • Never yell at the rabbit or make loud noises. This will cause the bug to run and hide.
6. Handle a scared rabbit correctly. If you did startle the rabbit, it could freeze completely. A rabbit uses this reflex to trick predators into thinking it is dead or to help it hide. If you have a rabbit in front of you in this state, he is not happy to see you and does not want to be picked up. He is, in fact, terrified.
   • You can of course get tempted and still pick him up in this catatonic state, but that's not a good way to help the rabbit. It will likely cause him to go into shock, which could put him in big trouble. Picking it up can cause shock, heart attack, and eventually death.
7. Avoid lifting high. If you do pick it up, don't lift it high into the air. Since rabbits are ground dwellers, being picked up is very frightening. This too can lead to a heart attack or shock.
   • In addition, you can permanently damage the rabbit's legs by lifting it.

Part 2 of 2: Using a humane trap

1. Choose the right trap. If you want to catch the rabbit without touching it, which might be a better and less frightening option, you can set a humane trap. Consult with a local wildlife organization to see if they have one. You can also buy one from the pet store.
   • You can also make a simple trap yourself with a cardboard box that closes as soon as the rabbit walks in. To make this kind of trap, put a box on one side of a stick and make a hole in it. Then hang a carrot or something else nice on a string through the hole and attach it to the stick. When the rabbit enters the box and takes the treat, the string will pull the box away and let the box fall over the rabbit.
2. Lay out tasty food. To lure the rabbit into the cage, place some treats in front of him. For example, put down roots, leafy vegetables or dandelion leaves.
3. Put it in a safe place. If you want the rabbit to come to your trap, place it in a place that is well sheltered and protected. This will make the rabbit feel safe enough to come to your trap and eat the food you put in it.
4. Put it down at the correct time. Rabbits are usually most active during sunrise and sunset, so make sure your traps are ready at these times. Make sure to check the traps after these times to see if you've caught a rabbit.
5. Move the trap. Once you've caught the rabbit, cover the trap with a blanket so the rabbit feels safe. Lift the trap and move it to a new location where you want to release the rabbit, then open the trap so the rabbit can run out.
   • Make sure the area where you release the rabbit is safe for rabbits. You can seek advice from the local wildlife service or the animal ambulance.

Warnings

• Keeping wild animals, including wild rabbits, as pets is generally illegal. In most countries you cannot legally buy a wild rabbit to tame to keep as a pet.
• Never remove baby rabbits from their nest in the wild! This can cause serious health problems and even death. Less than 10% of wild baby rabbits survive when removed from their litter.