Does anyone know of any rabbit breeders in or close Zurich ?

Having visiting more qualipets than I could count I couldn't really find fluffy bunny I wanted. (Ok there was one but he wasn't for sale yet and couldn't be reserved, and will no doubt be gone by next weekend).

Hi, you will not be able to buy one fluffy bunny, you have to buy 2 as they get very lonely and bored on their own. Also, you might like to try and get a couple from a Tierheim. They don't just have adult rabbits, baby ones too. sadly many people get bored of their rabbits after a while and many end up in Tierheims.

Messi is correct; under the new animal welfare law, one may not keep rabbits singly, they should be kept in a social group. The law also stipulates the condition for keeping rabbits - size and type of accomodation, etc. You can read all about the law here:

http://www.bvet.admin.ch/tsp/02262/index.html?lang=de

And the broschure, 'Kaninchen Richtig Halten'

https://www.bundespublikationen.admi...ninchen_02.pdf

A very good place to find your rabbits is the Nager Station; this is a rescue rehoming rabbits; the folks who run it are experts, hold the welfare of their animals to heart, and are a valuable resource for rabbit owners. They are indeed careful with their rehoming process, which is a very good thing - their aim is to ensure that the match between the animal and owner is the right one.

http://www.nagerstation.ch/

You can also look through the Swiss database of homeless animals, choose 'Kleinsauger' from the menu:

http://www.tierdatenbank.ch/cms/tier...unschtier.html

All the best to you and your future bunnies.

There is a magazine available (not free - to purchase, I think) from the counter/cash desk at Landi. I'm afraid I can't remember the name, but pretty sure it has the word "Tier" in the title, and has an orange header(?). Not to be mistaken with the small free kiddy mag, normally found at the same place.

This contains many different animals/pets available for sale, and should also include details about breeders, and generally all things animal.

Sorry if this seems a bit vague, but I've only cause to buy it once, when we got our dog - and he's almost 10 now.

Interesting to note, from personal observations only, that rabbits in CH seem to be kept more by grown men (sometimes women), for breeding and showing, than by children as pets.

My dad, who was Portuguese not Swiss, used to breed rabbits. White ones..... but I'm not sure the breed anymore.

SpottyDog, as was said many times, there are lots of bunnies that need re-homing. Do look there first as I think it could actually be a better option. It's much easier to tell the sex of the bunny when they are closer to 1 year old. Get bunnies that you are very sure of are the same sex!! Then show us pics!! We're nosey & like pet pics.

Thanks for the links, one of the reasons I wanted to look at breeders is that the bunnies are generally much more friendly and used to being handled.

Assuming I see one that ticks all of the boxes at a tierheim would they let me take just the one I wanted until I can find a suitable friend for him or would i have to take two on the same day, or reserve one until I find the second one.

I couldn't specifically see an answer to this but does it have to be two bunnies or could it be a bunny and a guinea pig ?

No, Tierheims will not let you take just one rabbit. Generally, they will have already paired up lone rabbits with another one anyway. So you will have to choose the right pair for you.

I disagree that breeders rabbits are more friendly and used to being handled. I'm sure rabbit breeders don't have time to play and cuddle the rabbits all day. There used to be a breeder in my road and the rabbits were kept in lots of small cages in a shed in the garden and didn't get to see much day light, let alone cuddles. Obviously i am not speaking for every breeder here.

Get 2 from a Tierheim, you will make 2 bunnies very happy, i did!

Spottydog, why not call the folks at Nager Station for a chat? They are experts, both in the law and in bunny welfare. They have an advice line:

http://www.nagerstation.ch/beratung.html

The advice line is a pay per minute phone number; the money raised through this service goes to helping the animals and keeping the shelter going.

Generally it's adviseable to adopt a bonded pair - here a good rescue can help, as they will already know which buns are good companions.

Here is a link to previous thread on rabbits:
ADVICE WANTED - buying a Rabbit