Rabbit Web Discussion Board

The last post from Doudou got me to thinking this might be an interesting topic...

What is a good price? Too much? Too cheap?

I have heard and seen the gamut. Though $5 is probably a basic market price for a weaned rabbit, I think this might be a little low on the price scale. I guess I\'m thinking in terms of someone who indicates they aren\'t willing to pay more. At $5 it becomes very easy to simply replace a bunny rather than investing extra time and effort on housing, diet, and care.

Because I show my rabbits, I also see a very high end on price - $100 and up. Of course these are generally high quality purebred show rabbits from herds with a winning history. People interested in that, are willing to pay more.

Depending on the breeder\'s set-up, the prices they charge can vary greatly. All rabbits are not show quality, but they can very often make great pets. There are a lot of expenses involved in breeding and showing rabbits. Most breeders I know (myself included), never really even break even on their hobby (though that would be nice).

Some breeds (Holland Lops come to mind) are even fairly pricey as pets - maybe $30-40 (or more). A lot of people are hesitant to charge much less, since they feel that the new owner is more likely to invest more in the care of the rabbit if the initial cost of the rabbit is higher.

Pet store prices are all over the place. Feed store prices are generally cheap because they usually take a lot more crossbreds - often litters from folks that just want to get \"rid of them\".

I don\'t sell pets very often. If I do so at Easter, I include feed and a pamphlet on the care and feeding of the rabbit. I charge $10 - $20 depending on the breed. I have probably given away good rabbits as much as I have sold. This is usually to 4-H members who strike me as very enthusiastic and are excited about being in the Rabbit Project. I have also given good rabbits to new adult breeders if I see they\'ve gotten a bad shake in the past and would like a boost on the show table. (Gave away a very nice White Satin doe in AZ that turned around and won Best in Show the next time out.)

Anyway...I\'d be interested in other Board Members\' thoughts on this subject.

Charlcie Gill
Zodiac Rabbitry
Astoria, OR
http://www.zodiacsatins.com

Prices here in NJ range from $15 to $50 for pet rabbits. Pure breds being on the higher end. When we sell ours, the price is $25. They are pure bred dwarf lops, but pet quality, no pedigrees. So far, no one has questioned the price. Then again we have only had one litter so far. I also give a bagof the pellets we use along with where we purchase them. After Charlcie\'s comment about a pamphlet of care, I\'m looking at putting one together as well.

Here in Minneapolis, Mn, pet store price is $35 to $50 for purebred rabbits. One shelter adopts out only spayed/neuterd rabbits and the price is $40 for houses rabbits, all breeds and mixed breeds. Another shelter charges $65, but gives you a $50 certificate towards spaying/neutering. I have seen rabbits in the paper for $15, $10 if you buy 2 or more, but the ad did not state a breed.

I think the price of a pet rabbit needs to be higher than $5 to discourage impulse buyers. I like the idea of giving out information on the care of rabbits to new owners. The woman who originally bought my rabbits payed $2 each, and she knew nothing about them. She was feeding them grass from her chemically treated lawn and when I asked her if she gave them rabbit pellets, she had no idea what I was talking about. I don\'t think she ever owned a pet before. Had the price been $20 instead of $2, I don\'t think she would have ever bought the rabbits, which would have been a good thing!

I agree that if the cost was a little more than $5, it may deter some people from impulse purchasing. The problem is that I see ads in our local newspaper on a very regular basis for free rabbits. I\'m thinking this could be because a lot of people are not prepared for the high maintenance problem with rabbits, especially rabbits purchased for indoor pets, so they list them free in order to get rid of them. By the way, since its close to Easter, we\'ve even seen ads on roadside telephone poles giving bunnies away!!

We bought Petey for $5, and the breeder assured me that a rabbit was a great first pet for a 6 year old but offered little more about indoor rabbit care. I have always felt mostly for the rabbit\'s sake, that if a breeder is going to sell a rabbit, they should provide honest info about rabbit care and concerns.

I really am pained when I see \"free rabbits\" advertised. In many cases it is just like you said - folks just want to get rid of them because \"the thrill is gone\", so to speak.

The \"Free Rabbit\" situation simply creates, for the most part, a never-ending cycle of misery for the rabbit (unless someone like harplady or Petey\'s friend gets there first).

It is a huge frustration for me because all this gives fuel to the fire for certain anti-breeder folks who use these tragedies to imply that rabbits do not make good pets and the majority of breeders are irresponsible.

Charlcie Gill
Zodiac Rabbitry
Astoria, OR
http://www.zodiacsatins.com

I think $20 is a fair price.the petstores within an hours drive of my house charge $30 each.Im losing money when i sell for less.I agree if they are too cheap people might think its a disaposable pet.I dont make any money anyway.bluebird

I paid $25 for both of my holland lops at a pet store, which I think is a fair price. I too, hate seeing the \"free rabbit\" ads in papers and want ads. I\'m always trying to talk my husband into going to \"rescue\" the rabbit because it\'s obviously in a place where it is not wanted. I often look in the \"free for the taking\" part of one of the want ads in our area and I\'m always amazed at how young the rabbits are that are given away. You can expect to see more of them too in the coming months - parents buying \"easter\" bunnies for their kids and then realizing the need more attention than they thought. It\'s very sad.