| So you have definitely decided that a rabbit is the right pet for you. You've done all the necessary homework and then some! You have the equipment . . . all you need is a rabbit! But where to find one? Well, here you have a few choices. Again, you must ask yourself a couple questions. Why do you want a rabbit? (pet, show, breeding) What type of rabbit do you want? (breeds) First of all, why do you want a rabbit? Are you thinking about showing and breeding in the future? For children, breeding rabbits and becoming a part of an organization such as 4H can be a very educational and rewarding hobby. Rabbits do not require the extensive care as dogs do, but they also do not require as much room as a horse does. So for the animal-loving child, joining the 4H rabbit program can be wonderful. If you are thinking about breeding, ask yourself why? Do you just want cute baby bunnies? If that is the reason, then please apply for a job at a pet store, as this is not a sufficient reason to create life. If you are interested in improving a certain breed and spending tons of money and time on equipment and shows, then perhaps breeding is a good hobby for you. You will want to acquire your stock from a reputable breeder. Begin with nothing but the best, and your breeding hobby will begin on a good foot! **For more information on breeding, please refer to our breeding page (under construction).** You say you just want a rabbit as a pet? Rabbits are quickly becoming very popular in the pet community. Because of this, there are many irresponsible breeders and animal millers who breed for the sole reason of making a profit. When breeding ANY animal one makes very little profit. Almost all money made goes right back into your animals. Whether that means feed, cages, show fees, or new stock, any profit made will be very little. These rabbit millers and "backyard breeders" are the people who are responsible for the pet overpopulation in our country. Granted, the rabbit overpopulation is nowhere near as bad as what the dog and cat overpopulation is, but there are still far too many homeless rabbits out there. **Please do your part to help bring this problem to an end by spaying or neutering your rabbit, as well as your dog or cat if you are not using them in a responsible breeding program!** So please, when you are looking for a pet, avoid pet stores! The people who purchase their animals from a pet store are the beginning and the end of the problem. They begin the chain by giving their money to the producers of the animals. The rabbit that they purchase (some people even consider it as rescuing. YOU ARE NOT RESCUING ANY ANIMAL BY PURCHASING THEM FROM A PET STORE!!! I cannot stress this enough--you give them more money to buy more rabbits to breed more, and you open up a space for more rabbits to go right back to the store!!! By "rescuing" pet store rabbits you are also aiding in the problem!!) leaves behind an open space for more rabbits, and so the cycle begins again. Not only do most pet store animals come from BYBs or animal mills, but often times they are very ill or even pregnant at the time of purchase. Save yourself a lot of future heartbreak and skip the pet store. Please purchase your pet rabbit from a reputable breeder or adopt from a shelter. Your rabbit and yourself will both benefit from this. Home Click to go to the HOMES 4 PETS website ! |
| Shelter, Breeder, or Petstore? |
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