Baby Hares

Observe:

Baby snowshoe hares are born fully furred.

Signs that a baby hare needs help:

• Obvious wounds or blood
• Contact with a cat
• Presence of string, oil, glue, or other substances
• Infestation with bugs or eggs
• Foreign objects stuck to its body
• Cold or wet if outside the nest
• Unable to sit upright

Signs that the hare may not need help:

• A baby hare that stays in one area is completely normal. They wait for their mothers to return after nightfall.
• Abnormal gait may be an existing issue—look for additional injuries.

Containing animals is best done by a professional. Contact a wildlife rehabilitator for help.

Things to keep in mind:

• Avoid further injury to the animal.
• Use safety equipment and items like blankets, boxes, and car mats.
• Avoid direct contact with adult mammals—use indirect methods to contain them.
• Prioritize safety. Seek advice from a rehabilitator if uncomfortable. Consult a doctor if injured.

Call Turtle Pond for advice before capturing a baby hare.

• If there is a baby hare in your backyard and you are concerned, you may wish to cover it with a large, well ventilated container (like a laundry basket) temporarily to ensure it is safe from your activities. You must remove the container by the evening for the return of its mother. Do not handle the animal, avoid human scents, and do not bring them into your house.
• Keep the animal in a dark, warm, quiet place. Avoid food and water until instructed by a rehabilitator. Transport it to the center as soon as possible.
• Create a heat source with dry rice in a sock, a sealed bottle with warm water, or a low-setting heating pad.

Drive carefully, keep the vehicle cool, and ensure the animal is secure.

If you cannot drive, contact Turtle Pond Wildlife Centre for assistance.