How to Catch a Loose Rabbit?
 

I do nighttime newspaper deliveries and for the past three nights I've seen this domestic rabbit. It's obviously someone's lost pet, and I would like to catch it, I don't think it would survive the winter. I may never see ti again but if I do I want to be ready.
The first time I saw it I didn't have anything to catch it with, although it let me get close enough to almost touch it. The second time another newspaper deliverer in a hurry came speeding up and scared it away. The third time I had a box with me, but the rabbit stayed just out of reach, hopping along just in front of me, and hiding under cars. I eventually had to give up when it went into someone's backyard and wouldn't come out.
Next time I see it I want to be ready. I'm keeping a box in the car to put it in, does anyone with rabbit experience know of a favorite rabbit treat that might lure it close enough to drop a box over it? Something as appealing to rabbits as catnip is to cats?

That poor rabbit is probably an "end of summer" dump, but it could very well be lost. Either way, winter cold or wildlife will end up killing it.
Can you bring along a cat carrier/kennel cab lined with a soft blanket and some carrots and hay?
As long as the rabbit has gardens and weeds to nibble on he may be harder to catch, but once the big freeze comes he will be in trouble.

I've caught one before just by approaching it for a couple of days and then grabbing it near a bush and stuffing it into the cat carrier. Gotta be quick for that method. ;)

Will a neighbour help and let you leave the cage for the rabbit to check out?
Just don't chase him because that will only lead to him losing trust in you.
Good LUck.

I used an extended fishing net on a pole....caught two of them that way.....

ummm all mine loved warm mcdonald frenchfries *L* seriously.....thats what I tossed to the two that were dumped across from us.

i threw a coat over one and caught it that way.

Melinda, I don't think the fries would stay warm long enough but it's a thought.
Shaykeija, I will add a towel to my rabbit catching kit.
Bina, unfortunately, I am there so early no neighbours are awake. That is why I see the rabbit, no one else is around to scare him off. Knocking on someone's door at 4pm the morning about a rabbit will most likely not be well received.

Can you go at a time your not working? (lunch...break, after work).

I suggest, cat carrier, door open.
fresh alphalpa grass on the INSIDE with a drizzle of honey on the end..nearest the back (think lure him to the back of the carrier placement of things).

place a little trail leading UP TO the carrier..and wacth him eat his way into your carrier. When he is happily munching on the alphalpa and honey treat. CLOSE DOOR.
whla la...hops is yours.
:)
Ps: a less "sticky" option is strawberries instead of the honey.

did we cacth the bunny yet?????

Haven't seen him (or her) since my last post. I haven't given up, but if I don't get there really early in the morning (before 5:00) I don't see it. After five Bunny disappears and I don't know where it's hiding place is, or I'd try your suggestions, Ruby. I haven't given up, just haven't had an opportunity to make another attempt.

could it possibly belong to someone in the neighbourhood and it just escapes now and then? I know mine use to travel the neighbourhood and then come back when he was tired or wanted cuddles, I can't count the number of times he escaped on us.

I guess at this point some snow on the ground would be nice so that you could just track the little guy using his paw prints.
When I was a kid I tracked rabbits for fun, it's interesting so see where they go and what they do.

are you in Southern Ontario? There are several Rabbit Rescues that might be able to help you if you are in the area. If you are in a certain city if you knocked on my door, I would help you out. :)

Sassy, yes, I'm in Southern Ontario, but I haven't seen the rabbit for almost a week.
Melinda, I'm hoping it's a lost pet and the owners finally recaptured it, but I haven't seen any lost pet signs.
Bina, tracking is fun I don't follow far but it's neat to see what they are eating. Not only don't we have snow yet, but yesterday it was close to 10C.:eek: Enjoyable for me, but not good for bunny tracking.