If you’re looking to add a fuzzy little friend to your family, you may be wondering: does Petco sell bunnies? As one of the largest pet retailers in the United States, Petco carries a wide variety of small animals.
However, their selection of rabbits is limited compared to specialty breeders and smaller pet stores. In this comprehensive guide, we’ll take a close look at Petco’s live rabbit options, pricing, care policies, and more to help you determine if Petco is the right source for adopting your new bunny.
What Kinds of Bunnies Does Petco Sell?
Dwarf breeds are most common
When it comes to the types of bunnies you’ll find at Petco, dwarf breeds tend to be the most common. These petite rabbits, like Holland Lops, Jersey Woolies, and Netherland Dwarfs, are bred to be on the smaller side.
With their cute floppy ears and compact bodies, dwarf bunnies make great starter pets for first-time owners.
According to the House Rabbit Society (HRS), over 80% of rabbits available at stores are dwarfs under 5 lbs. Their tiny size and adorable appearance appeal to many buyers. An added perk is that dwarf breeds need less space than their larger cousins.
They also typically have milder temperaments, making them easier to handle.
Mainly young rabbits under 6 months old
In addition to favoring small breeds, Petco focuses on selling young bunnies. Most rabbits in their stores are under 6 months old. Baby bunnies tend to get adopted faster thanks to their irresistible cuteness.
😍 However, some experts caution that younger rabbits may be more skittish and fragile than juvenile or adult bunnies.
According to Petco’s website, they source available rabbits from reputable breeders. All bunnies receive a basic health exam before getting shipped to stores. Pay attention to each rabbit’s age so you have a realistic idea of their activity level.
An older dwarf breed around 5-6 months can make an ideal starter pet.
Focus on cute “starter” bunnies
When it comes down to it, Petco stocks mostly cute baby dwarf bunnies suited for first-time owners. Larger, older, or mixed breed rabbits are less common. The focus stays on adorable “starter” bunnies predicted to sell quickly.
For a wider variety of breeds, ages, sizes, and needs, consider checking your local animal shelters or rabbit rescues.
While Petco’s selection meets most novice owners’ needs, more advanced rabbit lovers may want other options. Make sure to thoroughly research proper rabbit care before bringing one of these delightful creatures home!
Petco Bunny Prices and Cost Considerations
Bunnies range from $20-$60 at Petco
Petco offers pet rabbits for adoption ranging in price from $20 to $60. These friendly fuzzballs come in breeds like Dutch, Dwarf Hotot, English Spot, and more. Prices vary based on factors like breed, age, and availability.
For example, some purebred bunnies with championship bloodlines can cost on the higher end around $60. Baby bunnies under 6 months tend to be more expensive as well.
Petco sources their rabbits from reputable local breeders that the company has developed partnerships with over the years. You can expect healthy, socialized bunnies that have been checked over by a veterinarian before being cleared for adoption.
This helps ensure you’re getting a quality pet for a reasonable price.
Additional costs like housing, food, vet care
While the adoption fee itself ranges from $20-$60, new bunny owners should be prepared for quite a few additional costs for proper rabbit care.
As shown above, the initial supplies can easily run $300 or more to get your new bunny settled in comfortably. Then ongoing costs like food, litter, and health considerations come out to roughly $100-$150 per month.
Exotic pets like rabbits have some unique needs and expenses to be prepared for contrasted with cats and dogs.
With some upfront investment and proper research however, bunnies make delightful, rewarding pets full of floppy-eared charm. To learn more on Petco’s adoptable rabbits and getting your home bunny-ready, check out their informative pet care articles on setting up a bunny habitat and caring for a pet rabbit.
Petco Bunny Care and Adoption Policies
Petco has some great policies in place to ensure the bunnies they sell receive proper care and find loving homes. Here’s an overview of their key bunny adoption protocols:
– Vet examinations before sale
All bunnies at Petco undergo a veterinary health examination before being put up for adoption. This ensures they are healthy, have been treated for any medical issues, and are ready for their new homes. Pet parents can rest assured their new fuzzy friend is in good health.
– Care counseling provided
Petco partners with rescue organizations who provide bunny care counseling. Adopters receive useful info on proper housing, nutrition, handling, and more for their new bunny. This helps set up both owner and bunny for a happy life together.
– Can return adopted pets within 14 days
Petco allows adopters to return a newly adopted pet within 14 days if things don’t work out. This gives peace of mind during the initial adjustment period. According to Petco’s website, over 95% of adopted pets remain in their new homes, but it’s comforting to know there’s a safety net.
Pros and Cons of Buying Bunnies from Petco
– Pros: Convenient, starter bunny selection
Buying a bunny from Petco can be quite convenient compared to finding a reputable breeder. Petco has nearly 1,600 retail locations across the U.S., so there’s likely a store near you. This makes it easy to swing by and see the bunnies in person before making a commitment.
Petco also offers a nice selection of “starter” bunnies that may work well for first-time owners looking to get their feet wet with rabbit care. Many Petco stores have partnerships with local animal shelters and rescue groups to offer some adoptable bunnies along with commercially bred ones.
– Cons: Limited breeds, vet care can be costly
On the downside, the bunny breeds available at Petco are fairly limited. You’ll generally only find common breeds like Netherland Dwarfs or Mini Rex. Petco does not offer more unique or specialty breeds that some bunny enthusiasts may prefer.
There’s also a risk of health issues from commercially bred bunnies that could require pricey vet care down the road. This is a complex issue, but the House Rabbit Society cites studies showing nearly 60% of pet store rabbits had genetic defects impacting health and lifespan.
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Other Places to Adopt Bunnies
Specialty Rabbit Rescues or Breeders
In addition to Petco, there are other great places where caring people can find bunnies who need good homes. Specialty rabbit rescues focus specifically on taking in abandoned, abused, or surrendered rabbits and finding new owners to care for them (1).
Unlike shelters that take in different kinds of animals, rabbit rescues have the experience and knowledge to meet rabbits’ unique needs.
There are hundreds of excellent rabbit rescues across the country. For example, the House Rabbit Society maintains lists of local rabbit rescues in many states (2). These rescues often post available rabbits on sites like Petfinder.
Potential adopters can browse photos and profiles then apply to adopt rabbits that catch their eyes and hearts.
Many rabbit rescues also facilitate foster-based adoptions. In this model, approved applicants first foster a rabbit temporarily before deciding whether to make the adoption permanent. This gives the human and bunny time to become comfortable with each other.
In addition to adoptions, some rabbit breeders occasionally have young or adult rabbits available due to situations like unexpected litters. Responsible breeders fully vet potential buyers to ensure the bunnies are placed in loving, knowledgeable homes.
Local Animal Shelters or Humane Societies
If you don’t live near a rabbit-specific rescue, local animal shelters often have bunnies, too. For example, one 2021 study found over 260,000 rabbits enter shelters in the U.S. every year (3). Sadly, many shelters view small animals like rabbits as “pocket pets” and don’t always invest resources into understanding rabbits’ specialized care.
However, some shelters employ experienced staff focused on rabbits’ welfare. Before adopting, be sure to ask questions about the shelter’s policies and success adopting out bunnies. Get to know the specific rabbit’s personality and needs to see if they are a good match.
With a little research and preparation, shelters can be a great, affordable choice providing abandoned rabbits loving new homes. Make sure to thoroughly rabbit-proof your house and read up on proper diet, housing, handling, and more (4). Local shelters need to move animals quickly to open up space, so adopting a bunny saves a life and starts an amazing friendship.
Conclusion
While Petco does sell bunnies, their selection is quite limited compared to other sources. For the widest variety of breeds and ages, consider checking local rescues, shelters, breeders or pet stores. However, Petco can be a good option for conveniently adopting your first dwarf breed starter bunny.
