If you see a wild baby bunny or bunnies in your yard, chances are that they are fine and should be left alone. If they are hopping around, they are probably weaned and have left the nest, or are about ready to leave the nest. Keep your dogs and cats inside to give the bunnies a chance to get bigger and stronger and to develop their survival skills. You should also do this if you happen to find a nest of bunnies.

Rabbit mothers only nurse their babies for a few minutes a day, and stay away from the nest the rest of the time, so don't assume that the babies are in trouble if you come upon them alone in a nest. If the nest looks like it's been disturbed, try to restore it, then leave the area. If you are sure the bunnies are orphaned and not old enough to make it on their own, or if you find an injured rabbit, you need to contact a wildlife rehabber ASAP. Put the bunnies in a quiet, safe place until you can get some help for them.

In upstate SC, contact Foothills Animal Rescue at 864-282-1917, or Wildlife Rehab of Greenville at 864-233-0339. Some vets will take in injured or orphaned wildlife, then turn them over to a rehab group. To find rehabbers in other parts of the country, go to http://wildliferehabber.org/st_disp_list.php or http://www.tc.umn.edu/~devo0028/contact.htm. Most veterinarians and humane societies also have lists of area wildlife rahab groups.