KATY MAGAZINE NEWS
November 2, 2022
By Natalie Cook Clark
A Katy family found three baby bunnies when pulling weeds. They watched them and then helped them return to the wild. Katy is home to many critters.
Photo credit: Sarah Angeles
Sarah Angeles in Nottingham Country stumbled upon three baby bunnies when pulling weeds.
“I have two teenagers,” says Angeles. “My daughter is loving it. She is already giving me ‘the spiel’ saying if you let me keep them, I’ll do anything. I swear I’ve heard it a thousand times with every orphaned pet we’ve come across.”
Angeles’ teenage son is the opposite believing that nature should take its course. That is the belief of Texas Parks and Wildlife.
The Angeles family did leave the bunnies alone but wanted to make sure they were safe, so they set up cameras to watch them and lookout for the return of their mother. After over 25 hours of the mother not returning, they took action to ensure the survivor of the bunnies.
“We called Texas Parks and Wildlife to find out what needed to be done,” says Angeles. The bunnies were checked out and released back into the wild.
Wild Rabbits Best to Be Left Alone
Each year, rabbits deliver litters of bunnies. The peak season runs from February to October. Their nests are often found in backyards and care should be taken when mowing or raking to avoid injuring baby wild rabbits. If found, these rabbits should be left alone.
“Baby rabbits leave the nest when they're three weeks old and about the size of a chipmunk,” states the Humane Society’s website. “If you find a chipmunk-sized but fully-furred rabbit with eyes open, ears erect, and the ability to hop, they are meant to be on their own. As small and helpless as they may look, they are not an orphan and don't need your help.”
Wild rabbits that are truly orphaned are extremely difficult to wean and care for. If they survive, the Humane Society recommends turning them over to a vet or rehabilitation group to be released.
Not All Katy Critters are Cute Bunnies
Katy is home to many wild critters from coyotes, gators, opossums, bunnies and more. This means that Katy families should also be diligent in protecting their house pets from wild animals.
Recently a pack of coyotes has been spotted near the Cinco Ranch Beach Club. These animals have been known to attack and kill Katy pets. A couple spotted them when walking their dog and was able to steer clear of the wild animals.
Cinco Ranch Area Lost and Found Pets warns residents to keep pets inside and out only on a short, non-retractable leash.
“Please keep your cats and dogs and birds safe — and help us to stop providing easy meals for the wildlife,” says Cinco Ranch Area Lost and Found Pets administrator Paige Holsapple. “They are opportunistic and it’s about their instinct to hunt heavily right now with the cold weather coming.”
Coyotes can clear 6-foot fences and have been known to take and kill Katy pets.
“Please keep your pets safe as they do not stand a chance to survive an encounter alone,” says Holsapple. “We need for neighbors to listen and prevent the loss of their pets.”