Bunnies in the pool (Rice: house, living in, fence)

[bunnyhelp]

This is our first summer living in a house with a pool. For the last week, we've found at least one bunny in the pool every day. The first bunny* had died (drowned), but every bunny since has been fine. One even swam away while we attempted to rescue him.

Has anyone else had this problem?

We aren't really sure what to do other than fill the water a little higher (they have been chilling in the rectangular pool wall drain thing) and hope they get the message. Any other suggestions would be great.


*They all appear rather young

[happycrow]

This thread is worthless without adorable bunnies-in-pool pictures.


I've never heard of this one before, but given the temperatures, I'm sure they're LOVING it!

[tyanger]

I have seen products you can install at the side of your pool that are supposed to provide a way out for animals that fall in. Skamper Ramp is one device. I do not have personal experience with any of these products.

We used to get animals falling in our pool regularly, but not so much any more. I guess natural selection kicked in.

[Rakin]

Strange you've had more than 1. Over 15 years I've had maybe 2 and they usually drown. This does remind me of the time my wife was screaming because a big Rat was swimming around the pool trying to get on her floatie with her.

I learned always look down the basket hole before reaching in. Many times there are dead or live critters down there trying to get out.

[froglipz]

What is the problem with cute little bunnies?

[Made_it_To_the_Metroplex]

Originally Posted by froglipz

What is the problem with cute little bunnies?

Not to minimize the Op's plight, but that is PRICELESS!

[MckinneyOwnr]

If you have a ladder installed, you can adjust the top step to be just under the water level, so if they manage to swim over to it, they can sit on the step and from that point either jump out completely or wait to be rescued.

You must have a nest close by. Best thing you can do in the future is prevent any nesting on/near your property.

[PlanoGirl]

If you mostly gotten them in just the past week, then you probably have a nest in your yard somewhere, and these poor young bunnies are finding their way into the pool as the become more adventurous. Hopefully as they age, they will wander elsewhere to have their own young and won't be an issue anymore.

Unfortunately, we get them regularly. We've pulled at least 6 or 7 drowned bunnies from the pool this season. We actually had one in our pool last night, but he was still alive. He swam out of the skimmer while we were swimming. Hubby rescued him and is now a huge hero in the kids' eyes.

Wish I knew what else to tell you. I might look into that ramp thing suggested above.

[Restrain]

Put up a child fence around the pool.

[6oo9]

I got pool fence in addition to regular fence. Still, something like this happened to me twice in the past: once it was a baby rabbit; the other time it was a rat. I think the inexperienced animals were thirsty and were tying to drink my chlorine pool water on hot TX summer days and ended up drowning. Each time, I used pool skimmer to fish them out and buried them under a tree to prevent my cat from eating them.

My cat takes a swim sometimes in the pool. He knows where the shallow end is and just walked up the steps from the pool.