Saturday, April 26, 2008
Selling Pets
Many breeders sell pets as a way of making a little feed money, making new pet owners very happy, and finding a suitable place for rabbits with nice personalities that lack the conformation to be show rabbits or breeding stock.
Although selling pets can become very time-consuming, I enjoy the occasional pet sale. My customers generally spend about an hour with me. I like to go over a lot of basic information, especially on how to hold the rabbit, inspect its general health, and feed their new bunny.
I have never had problems selling older bunnies as pets (3 1//2 to 6 months old). I simply explain my experiences and beliefs. I realize that some breeders sell young and have done so for a long time without problems, but Hollands, I believe, are easier than average to kill with diet and stress. I don't sell rabbits below the age of 12 weeks and I don't plan to ever start. It's worked well for me.
I started the Precious Pet Rabbits website as a way of providing even more indepth information to my pet customers. It was my hope that other breeders would send their customers there, too, saving themselves a lot of explaining while still providing quality information. Breeders can even ask their customers to visit Precious Pet Rabbits before they come to pick up a rabbit or meet with them at a show, possibly improving their preparation and reducing their need for personal instruction from the breeder.
I was also appalled that the majority of pet rabbit information before Precious Pet Rabbits came from a source that I consider to be a bit too extreme. I've met too many potential pet owners who were guilted into thinking that rabbits need so much more than they actually do. I've talked before about the mentality of "what would I like if I were a rabbit." Things just don't work that way.
I want to balance that statement by saying that the more your pet customers put into their new pet rabbit, the more they will get out of it. But "more" doesn't have to mean the run of the house, a rabbit companion, and a diet of fresh vegetables (which, by the way, are not the kinds of vegetables rabbits would be eating if they were still in the wild - rabbits don't have supermarkets with sugar-enhanced tomatoes).
Some rabbits do well with companions, some earn more freedom, and some can tolerate a richer diet. Other rabbits will constantly fight with their companion, eat the baseboards if given too much freedom, and die on a diet that is too rich.
I also want to encourage visitors to Precious Pet Rabbits to purchase their pet rabbits from breeders instead of pet stores. I realize there are exceptions on both sides (great pet stores and poor breeders), but by and large, getting a pet rabbit directly from the breeder is the best choice.
To help with that process, I have links to rabbitries on the Precious Pet Rabbit website. I know, I've been backlogged in getting links up, but I'm currently updating Precious Pet Rabbits, so it's a great time to send me your link requests now. You must meet the following criteria:
Although selling pets can become very time-consuming, I enjoy the occasional pet sale. My customers generally spend about an hour with me. I like to go over a lot of basic information, especially on how to hold the rabbit, inspect its general health, and feed their new bunny.
I have never had problems selling older bunnies as pets (3 1//2 to 6 months old). I simply explain my experiences and beliefs. I realize that some breeders sell young and have done so for a long time without problems, but Hollands, I believe, are easier than average to kill with diet and stress. I don't sell rabbits below the age of 12 weeks and I don't plan to ever start. It's worked well for me.
I started the Precious Pet Rabbits website as a way of providing even more indepth information to my pet customers. It was my hope that other breeders would send their customers there, too, saving themselves a lot of explaining while still providing quality information. Breeders can even ask their customers to visit Precious Pet Rabbits before they come to pick up a rabbit or meet with them at a show, possibly improving their preparation and reducing their need for personal instruction from the breeder.
I was also appalled that the majority of pet rabbit information before Precious Pet Rabbits came from a source that I consider to be a bit too extreme. I've met too many potential pet owners who were guilted into thinking that rabbits need so much more than they actually do. I've talked before about the mentality of "what would I like if I were a rabbit." Things just don't work that way.
I want to balance that statement by saying that the more your pet customers put into their new pet rabbit, the more they will get out of it. But "more" doesn't have to mean the run of the house, a rabbit companion, and a diet of fresh vegetables (which, by the way, are not the kinds of vegetables rabbits would be eating if they were still in the wild - rabbits don't have supermarkets with sugar-enhanced tomatoes).
Some rabbits do well with companions, some earn more freedom, and some can tolerate a richer diet. Other rabbits will constantly fight with their companion, eat the baseboards if given too much freedom, and die on a diet that is too rich.
I also want to encourage visitors to Precious Pet Rabbits to purchase their pet rabbits from breeders instead of pet stores. I realize there are exceptions on both sides (great pet stores and poor breeders), but by and large, getting a pet rabbit directly from the breeder is the best choice.
To help with that process, I have links to rabbitries on the Precious Pet Rabbit website. I know, I've been backlogged in getting links up, but I'm currently updating Precious Pet Rabbits, so it's a great time to send me your link requests now. You must meet the following criteria:
- You have a website that is fully functional and complete
- You are an ARBA member
- You breed to the standard and not simply to produce pets
- You do not sell rabbits below the age of 8 weeks.
Please do not ask me to make exceptions on the age. I'd prefer 12 weeks myself, remember. Eight weeks is already a concession on my part.
Also, I'd like to let you know that a contest is coming soon on the Precious Pet Rabbits website. Anyone with a pet rabbit is eligible, including breeders, because I know we all have our favorites. There will be more information coming later, but I'll just drop the hint now that it involves pictures of pet rabbits and a great prize.
Laurie
¶ 4:56 PM
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Did you forget us? We like your cobalt glass site.But we would also like to read about your rabbits.
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