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Buying rabbits from breeders?

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Fozzi

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Can I have opinions please

Is it ok to buy a rabbit from a breeder if not please explain why?

Would you ever buy from a breeder or is rescue the only ethical way to buy a rabbit?
 
I suppose some of it depends on what kind of breeder; someone who just lets their buns breed willy nilly, having litter after litter, not for show or breed improvement but for profit, is not very good. Someone who breeds for show, to a very high standard, is somewhat better but probably still partly for profit. And then there's breeding for health and temperament; to get good buns that are healthly with no behaviour problems, to have just good quality rabbits, is quite good and probably most ethical, though I'm not sure if it would be considered as ethical as a rescue.
 
I'd love to rescue my next bun, especially as you can 'date' them and ensure the best fit for you and your current rabbit.

Often you can find pairs in rescues that need homes together, this is also a benefit.

Personally, I don't agree with breeding by those that have no standards in regards to who their rabbits go to.

Often you will see "to good home only", but do they even check you know how to care for them? Largely, no. I also have never been asked if they can visit me at home, regardless of it being a rabbit, cat, dog...

I would like to say rescues are all positive and for the good of the animals, but even some rescues aren't up to scratch on their care.

Personally, if you're looking for a bunny or two, then post in the rehoming section asking for local people. If they're on here, hopefully they know what they're doing :lol:
 
Ethically I suppose the answer would be as long as there are bunnies looking for forever homes in rescues then NO.

But then I did get Hershel from a breeder myself. At the time, I had just lost my Snowflake to the Rainbow Bridge after a bout of gut stasis and I needed to get George a friend. I tried to look around near where I live but the RSPCA didn't have many in and the other rescue were around an 1 hours travelling distance North/South.

So I ended up at a breeders in Durham and I found her very good, she was well organised and kept full records. She had a very good set-up which was clean, the kits were kept with their mothers and the kits were very socialised. When I went to collect Hershel, another family was their to pick up one of his brothers (actually the one I first picked but he had been sold) and she wasn't happy with his size (runt) and refused to let them take him home that week. The young girl (around 11) was devastated and was crying her eyes out and everyone had to help comfort her. He went home the next week as I saw him on her website later under the bunnies in their new homes section. I am not stupid to think that she wasn't making money out of it but she did seem to really care about them and gave out a lot of good advice.

On saying that, unfortunately George turned into a little boy and they didn't get on and now George is bonded with his little sister Harry. George and Harry come from a bird of prey centre. Their mam and dad are well looked after and loved but they are not neutered so have had a couple of litters a year. I keep hinting that the dad needs neutering as the mam is now about 3-4 and getting to old to be having kits and actually told them last time I visited that if they would like to retire them I would give them both a forever home.

So I can't really judge anyone buying from a breeder or getting one from an accidental litter, etc.
 
We have had this thread many many times on here including a very recent one and they always end the same way.

My personal opinion is no you shouldnt but it is individual choice and everyone is welcome on the forum regardless of where their rabbits come from
 
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