Before you buy your bunny.

1) Buy an ARBA Standard of Perfection, then read it. Many questions you have can be answered by this book. They are usually available at the cage dealers at each show. Join the ARBA, you will recieve a Guide Book which will answer many questions, also.

2) Attend a rabbit show or two. Ask some breeders if you can see and feel their best rabbits. Ask what to look for in the breed you have chosen.

3)Ask several people about the reputations of anyone you are thinking of buying from. Different breeders deal with sales in different ways. Some do replacements or refunds if there is a problem with the rabbit you purchase, some simply don't. You should know ahead of time so there are no misunderstandings.

4) Buy your cage and supplies before you get your bunny. You will need a cage to fit the adult size of your bunny. Larger adult size bunny needs a larger cage. You will need a feeder or crock for rabbit pellets and a crock or water bottle for fresh water. Check around to find out where you can get good quality, fresh pellets. You don't want to use the pretty colored feed from a pet store, it is usually not very fresh and has ingredients that are not very good for your bunny.
If the cage you purchased has a tray, you will need to get some type of bedding, such as wood chips or shavings, shredded paper, or wood stove pellets. Used in the tray, these help absorb the urine and odor.

Buying your bunny.

1) Check around for a reputable breeder. Call or email and make plans to meet with them. Some breeders will not allow anyone into their rabbitry. If they will allow it, visit their rabbitry and look for how their rabbits are cared for. You would want to see fresh water in the crocks, food stored in airtight
containers, clean cages, etc. See how their bunnies behave, are they active and do they seem healthy and well cared for?

2) Inspect the bunny that is for sale very carefully. You need to check the ears for mites, eyes for any discharge, nose for discharge, teeth for correct alignment, belly for tumors or abcesses, toenails for color and number, and general health of the bunny. It may be a good idea to take a friend who is
familiar with these to help or show you ahead of time what to look for. If you find anything wrong with the bunny, don't buy it.

3) Ask to see the bunny's parents, if you can. This may give you an idea what your bunny will look like as it matures.

4) Ask to see the pedigree before you agree to purchase the bunny. The pedigree must include 3 generations of ancestors, all names, ear numbers, colors and weights for each animal on the pedigree. If the pedigree does not include all this information, it is not a complete pedigree. Without this
information, you will not be able to register the rabbit if you choose to do so in the future.

5) Don't expect the breeder to be able to tell you if a rabbit will be a show winner sometime in the future. Even breeders who have been showing for many, many years can't foretell the future. If you want to know what the bunny will look like as an adult, purchase an adult. Those baby bunnies are very cute, but noone can guarantee how they will look when grown.

Taking your bunny home.

1) You will need a small carrying cage or cardboard box to bring the bunny home in. Remember that the bunny isn't house trained and will go when he needs to. A cardboard box will work if you put some bedding in the bottom
and set it on plastic. The smaller area makes the rabbit feel more secure and helps prevent injury.

2) When you get your bunny home, put it into the cage you have prepared and give it some time to adjust to its new surroundings.

3) Take really good care of your bunny with fresh water, food and ( I recommend) grass hay daily. You can give your bunny a little old fashioned oatmeal daily for a treat if you want. Do not use the instant kind, not good for the bunny.

4) Enjoy your bunny!