 
RABBITS & OTHER SMALL CREATURES
 WILD RABBITS
Injured rabbits may be placed in a strong well ventilated box lined with newspaper or an old
towel and taken to the nearest Vet (free of charge to yourself).
If you come across a litter of baby rabbits where their nest has been disturbed, try to mend
or cover the nest and check periodically to see if the mother returns. Should the mother not
return within a few hours, then you will have to take the whole litter to a wildlife rescue centre
or contact the RSPCA. A Vet may be able to hold them overnight if you are unable to do so,
until they can be collected by the wildlife rescue centre or the RSPCA.
Rabbits found to be moving around during daylight seemingly disorientated, emaciated, or blind
may have a viral infection known as myxomatosis, easily recognised by having swollen, infected
eyes. Try to contain the rabbit by throwing a towel over it and placing it in a strong well ventilated
box. Take it straight to a Vet, wildlife rescue centre or call the RSPCA. Wild rabbits with myxomatosis
will usually have to be humanely destroyed.
If you are concerned about your own pet rabbit contracting myxomatosis, consult your Veterinary Surgeon.
 BATS
You may find a bat during the day which is "grounded" or it may be clinging to the wall of your house or
barn. This may be as a result of an injury or it may not have been able to return to its roost after a night
of feeding. If the bat has no apparent injuries such as a torn wing or broken leg, put the bat somewhere
safe in a well ventilated shoe box or similar with some tissue paper inside for it to cling to and try releasing
it at dusk. Allow the bat to warm up before releasing, this can be done by gently holding it in cupped
hands. You will soon feel the bat "vibrate" and chatter. At this point, open your hands and allow it to fly
off. If you are not sure about handling the bat, bring the box indoors for a while before releasing it.
If the bat is injured, or you know that it has been caught by a cat, then put in a box and take to a local
vet or wildlife hospital. The RSPCA may be able to help if they have someone available in the area.
 SQUIRRELS
Acrobatic and fun to watch (unless they are destroying your bird feeders!) Their acrobatic antics often
lead to accidents and if they fall from a great height, they end up either with a broken leg or back. If the
latter, the poor animal will be unable to use its back legs. Injured and frightened squirrels will bite. If you
find one on the ground that is injured, cover with a towel and, using thick gardening gloves, pick up the
animal and put it in a well ventilated box lined with newspaper or an old towel. The squirrel will need to be
taken to a vet, wildlife hospital or the RSPCA. The same will apply if you find an orphaned baby squirrel,
although they don't tend to bite so severely as the adults.
It should be noted that it is an offence under the Wildlife & Countryside Act 1981 to release a grey squirrel
after being taken into captivity.
Wildlife Hospitals
Veterinary Surgeons
RSPCA 0300 1234 999
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