A closed rabbitry means that the breeder does not allow visitors into their rabbitry. Most reputable breeders operate a closed rabbitry. While this may seem a strange policy from an outsider's perspective, here are some of the many reasons why, in the best interests of ourselves, yourselves, and the rabbits, we feel it is necessary to operate a closed rabbitry:
1. Privacy
This is an important one. Many breeders don't necessarily want strangers on their private property. Just as the breeder does not come to your home to inspect, we appreciate your understanding in respecting our privacy.
2. Buyer 'inspections'
Many pet owner books advise buyers to perform inspections of the breeder's facility to ensure it is all up to standard. It may seem a good idea from an outsider's perspective, but from the breeder's perspective, it can be quite invasive. Additionally, most pet owners are not as well-versed in proper rabbit care as breeders are, so what may not seem up-to-standard to a pet owner is most likely the best conditions for the rabbits.
3. Theft
A whole herd of rabbits could potentially be worth quite a bit of money in the eyes of a thief. The idea of someone potentially coming back and stealing their rabbits would be devastating to any responsible breeder!
4. Spread of disease
There are numerous rabbit diseases out there that are highly contagious and can spread even through contact with hands or clothing. By allowing a buyer into their rabbitry, a breeder would be potentially risking the health of their entire herd. Biosecurity is key!
5. Risk of ARA
ARA, or, Animal Rights Activists, are an extremist group who use extreme methods to put an end to ethical breeding, raising animals, and even pet ownership. There are all sorts of ARA, the least dangerous being simply fanatical rescuers, the worst being thieves, murderers, and terrorists. ARA like to conduct their own 'investigations' and spy on breeders before reporting them to animal control or a local rescue group for an (often illegal) seizure of the animals. The seizure of beloved animals is a breeder's worst nightmare.
6. Dangerous people
Thieves and ARA aren't the only people that breeders are worried about. There are some unsavory people out there, and by inviting these strangers onto their private property, a breeder would be tempting fate.
7. Time wasters
Not everyone who inquires about rabbits actually wants to get one. Some people don't have any intention whatsoever of purchasing a rabbit, but instead are looking for a fun outing to entertain the kids. It's disrespectful to the breeder's time, rabbitries aren't petting zoos.
8. Scaring pregnant does
An unfamiliar person interrupting the peace and quiet of the rabbitry can really startle pregnant or nursing does and could potentially cause injury or even death to her and/or her kits.
9. Restrictive laws
Unfortunately, in some areas, the government has seen fit to remove the rights of citizens to own more than a small handful of animals, regardless of how well these animals are taken care of.
10. Liability and safety
A buyer could slip and fall, or get bitten, or something of that nature, which is not only a concern for the buyer, but it is also a legitimate concern for the breeder who could be at risk of being sued.
So...as a prospective pet owner, what can you do if the breeder has wisely chosen to operate a closed rabbitry? For their own safety, breeders will typically meet you in a neutral location, so you will not be looking inside their rabbitry to see how the rabbits are kept. Luckily, most of how the rabbits are kept and raised is best displayed by the rabbit itself. If you feel confident handling the rabbit, ask the breeder if you can have a look over the rabbit, and make sure you check the eyes, ears, teeth, sex, and general condition of the rabbit. Only do this if you are experienced enough to know if something is awry. Make sure to ask questions if you have any. You can also ask the breeder to go over the rabbit with you if you are not yet capable of examining the rabbit yourself. When I meet with my prospective pet owners, I always make sure to go over the rabbit with them and show them the rabbit's health in great detail at the time of sale.
Since you will not be visiting the breeder's rabbitry, you are welcome to politely ask how they keep their rabbits and what their recommendations are for housing, nutrition, handling, etc.. If the breeder doesn't have time to answer a few respectfully asked questions, then perhaps it would be best to move on and consider another breeder. But if the breeder is happy to answer your questions, they might be the breeder for you!
1. Privacy
This is an important one. Many breeders don't necessarily want strangers on their private property. Just as the breeder does not come to your home to inspect, we appreciate your understanding in respecting our privacy.
2. Buyer 'inspections'
Many pet owner books advise buyers to perform inspections of the breeder's facility to ensure it is all up to standard. It may seem a good idea from an outsider's perspective, but from the breeder's perspective, it can be quite invasive. Additionally, most pet owners are not as well-versed in proper rabbit care as breeders are, so what may not seem up-to-standard to a pet owner is most likely the best conditions for the rabbits.
3. Theft
A whole herd of rabbits could potentially be worth quite a bit of money in the eyes of a thief. The idea of someone potentially coming back and stealing their rabbits would be devastating to any responsible breeder!
4. Spread of disease
There are numerous rabbit diseases out there that are highly contagious and can spread even through contact with hands or clothing. By allowing a buyer into their rabbitry, a breeder would be potentially risking the health of their entire herd. Biosecurity is key!
5. Risk of ARA
ARA, or, Animal Rights Activists, are an extremist group who use extreme methods to put an end to ethical breeding, raising animals, and even pet ownership. There are all sorts of ARA, the least dangerous being simply fanatical rescuers, the worst being thieves, murderers, and terrorists. ARA like to conduct their own 'investigations' and spy on breeders before reporting them to animal control or a local rescue group for an (often illegal) seizure of the animals. The seizure of beloved animals is a breeder's worst nightmare.
6. Dangerous people
Thieves and ARA aren't the only people that breeders are worried about. There are some unsavory people out there, and by inviting these strangers onto their private property, a breeder would be tempting fate.
7. Time wasters
Not everyone who inquires about rabbits actually wants to get one. Some people don't have any intention whatsoever of purchasing a rabbit, but instead are looking for a fun outing to entertain the kids. It's disrespectful to the breeder's time, rabbitries aren't petting zoos.
8. Scaring pregnant does
An unfamiliar person interrupting the peace and quiet of the rabbitry can really startle pregnant or nursing does and could potentially cause injury or even death to her and/or her kits.
9. Restrictive laws
Unfortunately, in some areas, the government has seen fit to remove the rights of citizens to own more than a small handful of animals, regardless of how well these animals are taken care of.
10. Liability and safety
A buyer could slip and fall, or get bitten, or something of that nature, which is not only a concern for the buyer, but it is also a legitimate concern for the breeder who could be at risk of being sued.
So...as a prospective pet owner, what can you do if the breeder has wisely chosen to operate a closed rabbitry? For their own safety, breeders will typically meet you in a neutral location, so you will not be looking inside their rabbitry to see how the rabbits are kept. Luckily, most of how the rabbits are kept and raised is best displayed by the rabbit itself. If you feel confident handling the rabbit, ask the breeder if you can have a look over the rabbit, and make sure you check the eyes, ears, teeth, sex, and general condition of the rabbit. Only do this if you are experienced enough to know if something is awry. Make sure to ask questions if you have any. You can also ask the breeder to go over the rabbit with you if you are not yet capable of examining the rabbit yourself. When I meet with my prospective pet owners, I always make sure to go over the rabbit with them and show them the rabbit's health in great detail at the time of sale.
Since you will not be visiting the breeder's rabbitry, you are welcome to politely ask how they keep their rabbits and what their recommendations are for housing, nutrition, handling, etc.. If the breeder doesn't have time to answer a few respectfully asked questions, then perhaps it would be best to move on and consider another breeder. But if the breeder is happy to answer your questions, they might be the breeder for you!