When selling
rabbits as pets, you
must realize that
the customers probably
have little or no
experience with rabbits.
You must advise them
about the care, feeding,
etc., of their new
pets. Provide an information
sheet or packet, and
let customers know
that if they have
a question about their
rabbits, they should
call you no matter
how insignificant
they feel the question
may be. Instill in
them the fact that
quick action can save
a rabbit's life. Be
prepared to answer
a bombardment of questions.
Explain
to them why you cannot
sell that cute, tiny
baby that's not yet
weaned from its mother.
Likewise, a reputable
breeder would never sell
an animal knowing
that it had either
a disease or a genetic
fault that would hamper
the animal's quality
of life as a pet.
Ethics is what we
practice when no one
is watching.
Encourage
customers to have
the housing (cage)
set up before they
bring a rabbit home.
If they insist on
having a second rabbit,
be sure they have
a second cage set
up. Let them know
that rabbits are territorial
and each must have
its own cage.
Give
customers guidance
about water bottles
and bowls or feeders.
Rabbits need to be
fed only once a day.
The same time every
day is preferred.
Water, pelleted feed,
and grass hay is all
they need! All other
foods are considered
treats and should
be fed as such, only
occassionally, or
it can cause problems
in a rabbit's digestive
system that can lead
to its death. Talk
to your customers
about good and bad
treats for bunnies.
If customers'
expectations are too
high, set them straight.
They need to know
that a rabbit isn't
a cat or dog. Rabbits
like to chew, so customers
must bunny-proof their
homes or the rooms
in which they will
let the rabbits run
loose. Don't forget
to tell them to supervise
their bunnies if the
bunnies roam the house!
Some
customers will pick
out their rabbits
in minutes, while
others will take hours.
Be patient, and remember
that you cannot be
sure of the show quality
of rabbits you've
sold--they may have
even been potential
champions.
If the
rabbit doesn't work
out for any reason
for the customer,
agree to take the
rabbit back. This
will ensure that the
animal will be taken
care of properly rather
than being turned
loose into the wild
or in some other equally
inapropriate fashion.
I try to find another
home for the rabbits
I take back or do
whatever must be done
to establish a quality
life for them. Some
of the rabbits I keep.
You never know--you
could get back an
animal that may still
be useful in your
breeding program.
