Releasing the hare into its natural habitat

• The run
  There are -and always will be- very controversial opinions about the size of the runs where hares are prepared for a life outside a house. The suggestions vary from a big outlet and single keeping to small cages. In consideration of the animal protection, the hare should be accommodated in a big run out of doors, though the time in the run is no permanent condition. If possible the run should accommodate several hares and any contact to man should be avoided, this helps the hare to get shy which is very important. In general they need about one or two weeks until they are ready to be released and during this time, they don't necessarily need to like their abidance in the run. They will be even more happy to be released and avoid any contact to man.
  
  
• The exposure
  According to the wild animal shelter in Sachsenhagen and the animal shelter in Ingolstadt, hares get shy very fast and can mostly be exposed in their destination habitat after about one week. Please do not just take the hare from your living room to the meadow next to your house, this is very hazardous. That might be the natural habitat of the hare but to a fostered one everything seems strange. It needs some time to get used to everything. Suitable places to release a hare are woodsides with nearby meadows. Don't release hares into the deep forest, unwooded territory or even in the middle of your village. Hares tend to stay in the territory where they are born. If you can't bring it back there, then at least release it someplace where other hares can be found. You might ask your responsible woodsman for advice. No one who has fostered a hare wants it to be shot by a hunter
  
  
  
• Food
  The changeover from milk to grass should be completed, otherwise the hare might suffer from diarrhoea due to the stress of the transposition. Diarrhoea weakens the hare and reduces his odds to survive.