how to buy rabbits

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Do not buy your rabbit from a pet store. Rabbits in pet stores likely come from mass-breeding facilities, which tend to be more focused on turning a profit than providing a healthy environment in which to breed and raise animals. In addition, young rabbits in pet stores may be especially prone to digestive problems, given the stress of living in a pet store and the significant dietary changes.

• When you visit a pet store, ask the staff about where the animals come from. Reconsider buying a rabbit from a pet store if you cannot verify that the rabbits came from a reputable breeder, animal shelter, or rabbit rescue
• Buy your rabbit through a local animal shelter or rescue group. Compared with the staff at a pet store, the staff at an animal shelter or rescue group is more likely to have in depth knowledge of rabbit care. In addition, rabbits tend to be healthier and better socialized at an animal shelter or rescue group than a pet store.
  

  • Visit the shelter or rescue group before purchasing your rabbit. Ask questions about how the organization cares for its rabbits, how rabbits are determined to be adoptable, the process of adopting a rabbit, and what post-adoption care is available
  • Animal shelters and rescue groups often partner together to find good homes for the rabbits in their care.
  • Visit the websites / and / (House Rabbit Society) if you are unsure about where to find animal shelters or rabbit rescue groups in your area.
  • Also consider finding a rabbit through private rabbit adoption agencies
  • Rabbits from shelters are usually cheaper than rabbits from pet shops or breeders, since they're usually desexed, vaccinated, wormed and microchipped, while most pet shop rabbits and many breeder rabbits are not. They might cost a bit more at the shelter, but in the long run it will be cheaper to buy them there, since desexing, microchipping, vaccinating and worming rabbits can cost you hundreds of dollars
  • Buy a rabbit from a reputable rabbit breeder. Buying your rabbit from a rabbit breeder is another option. Be aware, though, that not all breeders provide the proper rabbit care or are even knowledgeable about proper breeding practices. Unfortunately, some breeders may simply be trying to make money on the side 
    

    • To identify a reputable breeder, ask for recommendations from an exotic veterinarian or a trusted friend who owns rabbits. You can also visit rabbit shows to learn about rabbit breeders in your area 
    • A good breeder should be motivated by a genuine love for what they do, not solely by profit. They should be happy to provide with information about rabbits. They should also check to see if their customers are capable of looking after rabbits.
    • When you visit the breeder, take a close look at the breeding facility. It should be clean and well maintained, and the rabbits should be healthy and happy.
    • Ask the breeder about his or her breeding practices, and ask to see breeding and genetics records.
    • A reputable breeder should be able to provide you with references of others who have purchased rabbits from him or her. In addition, he or she should have a good relationship with an exotic veterinarian
    • If you are interested in a particular breeder, make sure that he or she provides you with a written health guarantee. The breeder should give you time to read through and understand the guarantee before you purchase a rabbit
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  Check the rabbit for signs of illness. Although a rabbit from a reputable animal shelter, rescue group, or breeder is likely to be healthy, it is still a good idea to check the rabbit for signs of illness. For example, if the rabbit has a runny nose or has trouble breathing, he may have a respiratory infection. If the rabbit is tilting his head, he may have an inner ear infection.
• If you are not sure how to examine the rabbit, ask the breeder, animal shelter staff, or an exotic veterinarian to walk you through a physical exam of the rabbit. They can help you understand the signs of health and illness.
• If the rabbit appears ill, ask about how the rabbit would be treated, and if the rabbit would still be adoptable following treatment
• Buy a rabbit when it is the proper age. A rabbit should not be bought until it is at least eight weeks old. By this age, the rabbit will be fully weaned from his mother and will be able to eat solid foods Wherever you buy your rabbit, make sure that they do not sell rabbits that are less than eight weeks old—this could be a sign of unethical breeding practices
  
  

  Buy a rabbit when it is the proper age. A rabbit should not be bought until it is at least eight weeks old. By this age, the rabbit will be fully weaned from his mother and will be able to eat solid foods Wherever you buy your rabbit, make sure that they do not sell rabbits that are less than eight weeks old—this could be a sign of unethical breeding practices.

  Determine if you have enough time to own a rabbit. Having a pet rabbit can be time consuming. For example, you would need to feed your rabbit twice daily, tidy his cage once daily, and thoroughly clean his cage once a week. In addition, you would need to provide your rabbit with daily mental stimulation (e.g., chew toys, playtime)
  

  • Your rabbit would need at least one hour per day of playtime outside of his cage (e.g., play pen, rabbit-proof room).
  • Healthy pet rabbits can live up to 10 years. Think about whether you are ready to make a 10-year commitment to care for a rabbit.

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