The most important decision you will ever make in the rabbit hobby is finding the right breeder to purchase a rabbit from. Regardless of whether you are looking for a show rabbit or just a sweet pet, you will want to find the most reputable, honest person possible with the highest quality stock.
One mistake that 99.9% of prospective buyers make is that their first step is to do a Google search for rabbit breeders near them. The cute website with pictures of adorable bunnies within a convenient driving distance may seem tempting, but you don't have any idea whether this person is an honest, top quality breeder.
The very first step you should take is to go to the ARBA website (www.arba.net) and look at their list of recognized breeds under the 'About the ARBA' tab. Click on the picture of your breed of interest, and you will be directed to the breed's national club. Feel free to contact the club or any club officials, and see if they have any recommendations of who has the best stock for your needs. Many of these people would be happy to help if you show the initiative and common sense of asking their advice. Follow any leads, and keep in mind that many responsible breeders do not have websites or active social media.
Another good option is to use the show search on the ARBA website to look up a list of upcoming shows near you. By attending a show in person, you will gain first-hand exposure to many different breeds as well as opportunities to talk to many ethical show breeders in person! Many breeders will have rabbits for sale at the show and will let you handle them before purchase. Most shows also have vendors for all sorts of rabbit supplies, so with the help of your breeder, you may be able to purchase all the correct supplies before you bring your rabbit home. Before purchasing, it is often a good idea to ask a judge to look over the rabbit for any noticeable health issues before purchasing it. Just make sure to catch them on a break, as they are very busy people.
If all else fails, feel free to have a look around online for breeders near you, but keep in mind that many of the sites that pop up first on Google searches aren't particularly ethical breeders. If you decide to go the Google route, make sure to thoroughly screen their website. There should be evidence of them actively competing with their rabbits to prove the merit of their breeding stock. There should not be any way of 'reserving' a rabbit via a PayPal link on their website. This is because a breeder should care about who gets their rabbits rather than just letting any old person purchase one. The animals should look clean, healthy, and bright-eyed. While it is very normal for breeders to take a bit of time to respond to emails due to their busy schedules, they should be friendly and willing to answer your questions.
When you've contacted a few breeders, don't jump at the first one who has something available. Instead, ask questions and get to know the breeder. They should be happy and willing to answer your questions and help match you with the best rabbit possible for your needs. They should not be shifty, avoid answering questions, or pressure you into a sale. The breeder doesn't have to be your best friend, but they should be a friendly, pleasant person to interact with. You will likely want their help and advice at some point in the future, so they should definitely be a person you can happily get along with!
One mistake that 99.9% of prospective buyers make is that their first step is to do a Google search for rabbit breeders near them. The cute website with pictures of adorable bunnies within a convenient driving distance may seem tempting, but you don't have any idea whether this person is an honest, top quality breeder.
The very first step you should take is to go to the ARBA website (www.arba.net) and look at their list of recognized breeds under the 'About the ARBA' tab. Click on the picture of your breed of interest, and you will be directed to the breed's national club. Feel free to contact the club or any club officials, and see if they have any recommendations of who has the best stock for your needs. Many of these people would be happy to help if you show the initiative and common sense of asking their advice. Follow any leads, and keep in mind that many responsible breeders do not have websites or active social media.
Another good option is to use the show search on the ARBA website to look up a list of upcoming shows near you. By attending a show in person, you will gain first-hand exposure to many different breeds as well as opportunities to talk to many ethical show breeders in person! Many breeders will have rabbits for sale at the show and will let you handle them before purchase. Most shows also have vendors for all sorts of rabbit supplies, so with the help of your breeder, you may be able to purchase all the correct supplies before you bring your rabbit home. Before purchasing, it is often a good idea to ask a judge to look over the rabbit for any noticeable health issues before purchasing it. Just make sure to catch them on a break, as they are very busy people.
If all else fails, feel free to have a look around online for breeders near you, but keep in mind that many of the sites that pop up first on Google searches aren't particularly ethical breeders. If you decide to go the Google route, make sure to thoroughly screen their website. There should be evidence of them actively competing with their rabbits to prove the merit of their breeding stock. There should not be any way of 'reserving' a rabbit via a PayPal link on their website. This is because a breeder should care about who gets their rabbits rather than just letting any old person purchase one. The animals should look clean, healthy, and bright-eyed. While it is very normal for breeders to take a bit of time to respond to emails due to their busy schedules, they should be friendly and willing to answer your questions.
When you've contacted a few breeders, don't jump at the first one who has something available. Instead, ask questions and get to know the breeder. They should be happy and willing to answer your questions and help match you with the best rabbit possible for your needs. They should not be shifty, avoid answering questions, or pressure you into a sale. The breeder doesn't have to be your best friend, but they should be a friendly, pleasant person to interact with. You will likely want their help and advice at some point in the future, so they should definitely be a person you can happily get along with!