Is this a red flag? Should I be Leary?

[macksmom98]

I have finally tracked down a new proven (supposedly) Holland Lop buck. The breeder lives 2 and a half hours away. She offered to meet at a convention center, close to her home. Would you do that or do you think it's odd she didn't want me to come to her home? I personally don't like people from Craigslist to come to my house, as I don't want a bunch of strangers around my kids, property, or bunnies. So I get that. But with all the disease and problems that could come up,
As the buyer, should I make the sale conditional upon being able to see where the rabbit is coming from?

 

[Zass]

Plenty of legitimate breeders do not wish to allow the location of their homes and rabbitrys to be known to strangers.
It's partially due to of disease, but I suspect an even larger part is due to fear of AR activism.
In my state, rabbits have been illegally "rescued" (AKA stolen,) Some of those rabbits were later found at rabbit shelters. Naturally, there for the purpose of "being adopted, with rehoming fee" (AKA for sale.)

 

[macksmom98]

Great advice. I have never not gone to the home of someone I purchased a rabbit from nor have I ever traveled that far. We will do the normal quarantine for a month and cross our fingers that all will go well!

 

[Zass]

Remember that you have the right to refuse a purchase at any point.

Also make sure to inspect the rabbits very closely at the time of purchase (check eyes, ears, insides of forepaws(for snot) privates, etc), and to ask if the breeder has a refund or replacement policy in case something comes up during quarantine and what exactly it entails.

 

[macksmom98]

Wi do! I already do a good chunk of those things, but a couple would be new. I have never asked about a return policy before, but I like it. Now that I am a bit more experienced I see how easy and quickly things can go wrong.

 

[Prisma]

If you'd require a visit I'd be suspect of you and promptly refuse sale. As already said, common practice because of AR activities and bio concerns.

 

[Random Rabbit]

I personally don't like people from Craigslist to come to my house, as I don't want a bunch of strangers around my kids, property, or bunnies. So I get that. But with all the disease and problems that could come up,
As the buyer, should I make the sale conditional upon being able to see where the rabbit is coming from?

Just my opinion..... but if You are not comfortable with strangers coming to Your home..... why should a breeder that has never met You ( a stranger) before... be any different ??

Personally i do not want strangers coming here. Even "friendly acquaintances" i am not comfortable with. I need a long history with a person... so that * I * am comfortable with Who they are... before i will issue an invitation.
I might add... that many of the well known animal seizures that have happened... came about when a "friend" got angry with another friend and lied to authorities.

Check over the rabbit... ( or any other animal) Before money changes hands. Rarely will an animal kept in bad conditions...have a healthy look and feel to them. There are warning signs usually visible.

 

[AprilW]

Many breeders have adopted no visitors policies. For me, it is primarily a personal safety issue. I don't invite strangers to my home under other circumstances and an interest in rabbits does not change that. Fortunately, I am in a position where I don't have to rely on rabbit sales so when prospective buyers insist they see my rabbitry or won't buy, I don't bother trying to convince them otherwise.

I see advice all the time that if you can't see the rabbitry you shouldn't buy. I wish people understood that even with good intentions, the breeder still doesn't know you and should not have to open their home to strangers who may or may not be innocently interested in rabbits.

Definitely take a minute to look the rabbit over carefully before you buy, no one should have a problem with that. He should appear clean, alert, and healthy. You can also determine how well the rabbit is cared for by checking his toenails to ensure they are trimmed frequently and looking at the carrier. Even old carriers that may be starting to rust should be clean.

 

[Deer Heart]

I absolutely will not let strangers into my home or on my property. ARA and Bio security aside it opens you up to not only liability (what if a farm dog who's normally sweet decides to bite them or they trip and hurt themselves on your property?) but it's also dangerous to my safety and well-being. People have been murdered, robbed, viciously attacked after responding or being responded to for sales on Craigslist. We just don't live in a day and age anymore where it's safe to open your home to strangers. :/ (not only that but there's plenty of buyers who will still buy my stock without seeing my barn so if this gets demanded of me I'm not going to respond to you)

 

[michaels4gardens]

Plenty of legitimate breeders do not wish to allow the location of their homes and rabbitrys to be known to strangers.
It's partially due to of disease, but I suspect an even larger part is due to fear of AR activism.
In my state, rabbits have been illegally "rescued" (AKA stolen,) Some of those rabbits were later found at rabbit shelters. Naturally, there for the purpose of "being adopted, with rehoming fee" (AKA for sale.)

When I worked at an "animal sanctuary" I met more than a few " AR activists" so beware..

- there are people who stalk the classifieds, in order to "save" [ or steal] the rabbits being sold for meat or breeders, then show up at the already over crowded sanctuary, with rabbits they have "rescued" and just expect them to be accepted, cared for and fed until their perfect forever home is found.. amazing... [if they only knew, most rabbits brought to "the sanctuary" will die there, -- from EC, coccidiosis, pasteurella, or MRSA infections.] the rabbits that live long enough to be adopted are already infected-- so they die later ,after large vet bills......

 

[Zass]

Michaels4gardens, you must have seen me say this before, but some of the never people might not have.
What passes for a no kill rabbit shelter out here in the woods is usually a garage full of tiny cages. I'm always amazed when I look at a "shelter" webpage and see ZERO pics of the facilities.
I really I shouldn't be.
PA has a long history of overcrowded no-kill-shelters getting so bad that aspca has to come in and start euthanizing the animals to clean up the mess.

The for profit element of the rescue/shelter racket will be on display this year right before Easter.
Like usual, there will be a run-up of "raids" where animals were removed from a property and speedily placed in shelters which will be holding very public "adoption events," most likely before any trial date is even decided on.

I've noticed it's actually kinda rare for animals to be placed in homes only two weeks after seizure at other times of year. Especially ones that were said to have been neglected to the point where they had to be forcibly removed from their care takers.
For us rabbit breeders, two weeks isn't even enough time to know of a rabbit is healthy! Quarantine is routinely twice that..