Rabbits nesting

Question
We noticed something in our yard this evening.  It was a nest, but we didn't know it was a nest until my husband took his foot and lifted up a part of it and the baby bunnies started crying, and so he put it back and eventually they calmed down.  I read that extreme fear could cause a rabbit to have a heart attack... how about their babies?

Also I have an outdoor cat.  Since the babies have no specific odor, will my cat be able to find these babies while inside this nest?  And the other problem is, will my cat find the mother at the nest?  I am so worried about these bunnies, but it would be torture for my cat to be kept inside for 4-6 weeks.  Any suggestions?

Answer
First the babies will be ok even if your husband touched them.  The cat may find them and she may not.  You can't really move the nest or the mother rabbit wont come back to feed them once she realizes they are gone.

I guess my best suggestion would be to try to keep your cat in at night time.  This is when the mommy rabbit is going to come back to feed them.  This happens every year and everyone wants to save the babies.  The only possible way would be able to trap the mother and babies both and relocate them.  If you have a big rabbit population there is a chance that the mother rabbit you caught would not be the right one and the babies would probably die anyway.

You can also try calling an animal wildlife reserve or even the SPCA.  They may be able to trap them and relocate them for you.

It is a sad fact that many baby rabbits just don't live because of situations like this.  I understand your concern but without keeping your cat in for 4-6 weeks there isn't much else that can be done.  

Is there anyway you could put up a temporary wire fence for your kitty to play in until the babies get old enough to move on?  I know its pushing it but I would try it.  

I am so sorry this happened in your back yard.  It seems to be happening a lot this year.  Rabbits are made to keep their species alive so they give birth about every 4 weeks anyway.  When you are done with this baby issue I would put some type of deterrent up in that area so she doesn't use it as a nest again.  Fill the nest with dirt and try spraying the area with something unappealing to rabbits but that won't hurt your cat (such as apple bitter spray).  

Again I am so sorry there just isn't a whole lot you can do but it is nice that there are people out there that are concerned.

Thank you and good luck

Pam