I'm located on the Central Coast of NSW Australia for reference if needed please skip to the end where I ask for some possible advice – I know the reccomendation is always to take them to the vet and I will be, but any advice is absolutely welcomed.
I found these two rabbits abandoned in a national park yesterday evening – they were docile, easily captured and I had just driven down this road (a dirt one, one way in/out on this particular road, far into the park) 30 mins before hand with no sign of them. I cannot fathom them travelling, uninjured and so clean, incredibly far from homes or civilisations, hence why I'm certain they've been abandoned. I naturally don't want them reproducing in a national park, and of course feel so deeply for these poor buns who have just been dumped…
I've applied to a surrender/rescue agency I'm calling around for anyone who might be able to help, I'll be posting in groups etc and I've enquired with vets (all vets refused them unless injured, which they don't appear to be) I'm doing absolutely eveything in my power to get these rabbits to a safe and loving home but am not super familiar with rabbit care – I have 3 guinea pigs who I adopted a year and a half ago, but I just don't have the capacity to look after 2 rabbits for an extended, or even a shorter period of time, for a number of reasons including financial…one of my current pigs has already had a number of vet visits and needs some ongoing care, and I can't afford the veterinary care for both of these abandoned bunnies, let alone babies if they have them or spaying etc.
My main concern is that they appear to be a male/female duo – the apparent male had already been mounting the apparent female by the road side, and in the back seat of my car (I had no box, carrier etc or way to separate them and get them home safely so I drove very slowly the 35 minutes back, all the while making calls and seeing if there was someone locally who could help) I'm aware their gestation period is only around 31 days, as informed by a second Guinea pig rescue who gave me some advice.
I've temporarily set them up in a divided make shift C&C cage with left over grids, zip ties, cardboard and bedding, ensuring they can't get out (and can't get to each other, but still have company – they appear to be very close and bonded already) they have a constant supply of water and Timothy hay, and I will be getting them some oxbow rabbit pellets for them after work today. I also got them some fresh grass. The main rescue I had applied to surrender to said they have no room (but could email them in further detail and they may consider or provide extra help) and said not to feed them fresh veggies…bur given that they can't take them right now, are there fresh veggies that I can feed them especially if I have them for a few days + Or should I stick exclusively to timothy hay, pellets, grass and water?
They're eating and pooping fine, and appear gentle, docile and socialised (the male is slightly shy, but they're both very friendly and curious)
Literally just now before I wrote this I discovered what appears to be a larger quantity of liquid, either bloody urine or…im not sure (pictured below) by the cage of the female. She is in good spirits, seems totoaly fine otherwise, however as mentioned before the male had been mounting her by the road numerous times and in the car – I have no idea if she's already pregnant, hence the urgency, and I will be getting her to a vet ASAP, thankfully I have ones near me, however this really isn't something I can afford and I've had zero luck with rescues, shelters or vets in terms to being able to take them…She has not been pulling at her fur or engaging in nesting behaviour, so I thought it unlikely that she was going to give birth (we couldn't feel anything in her tummy either)
I want to do right by these bunnies, and I apologise if any of my questions are ignorant. I've done what research I can and have spent lots of time enquiring and am already feeling exhausted (it was the evening when I found them yesterday so it ended up being a late night) I'm working from home today so I can monitor them, and will be for the ofreseable future to ensure they're safe.
If anyone has any words of wisdom or guidance, or if anyone is in my area and can offer assistance I'd be incredibly grateful. I'm willing to drive to get them somewhere safe.
by gryphononaknoll