How do you ship a live rabbit? How much will it cost?

Question

I am a rabbit breeder and i have requests for rabbits in other states. I'm just starting to run my business. Besides I'm only 18.

Answer 1

Delta is the best to use for this. You'll have to contact them for prices. They used to have a service called Delta Dash that cost around $100 but that was a few years ago. I have flown with them a few times but the price is usually higher if they go alone as cargo rather than with you as excess baggage.

I think the airlines require rabbits to be 8 weeks old. You will need to make sure they have access to food and water, and each one will need a health certificate. The way we usually ship is to put them in a regular show carrier, then put this all in a large dog kennel. They used to accept a carrier alone, but not any more.

I would recommend trying to find a ride for the rabbits to a show if possible, even Nationals. Shipping can be very expensive when you add up the cost of the kennel ($30-50), carriers ($20-40), food and water containers ($20-$30), health certificates ($20 each) and airfare. That's quite a bit to pay for rabbits that are being bought sight unseen. If your customers are OK with this, that's fine, but it's quite a risk.

As far as rabbits being a "business," you aren't going to make much from them. Most breeders operate at a loss but we consider it money well spent because we enjoy our hobby!

Answer 2

Rabbits are shipped via airline by the HUNDREDS by many breeders throughout the United States.

Depending on the breed size and how many are being shipped and what airline you use depends on how much it will cost. You will be looking at a health certificate cost, a carrier for them to ride in that meets the requirements per the airline, feed/water dishes. On average, smaller breeds cost about $200 plus/minus. This is something that as the breeder, you are not responsible for...make sure your buyer is covering all costs, even your time to go to the airline!!

The Post Office, Fed Ex or UPS WILL NOT SHIP LIVE MAMMALS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Answer 3

I'm also a breeder and have reasearched this a few times it is usually around 200-400 dollars depending on where you live and how far they are being shipped. it cost the same or 1 rabbit or 7 rabbits.

Answer 4

Word of warning.....
We found a lost homing piegon in our barn....(since my Mom's dad had homing pigions, she was able to tell it was indeed a homing piegon)....somehow she read the number in its leg band and from there was able to contact the owner.......he said to set a trap then mail it, that the Post Office has special boxes, because chickens are apparently mailed all of the time.......we catch the bird then give him some food and water, then put him in the box and shipped him out on Friday with the overnight shipping.....Well they LOST HIM! And then fg course the post office is closed on Sunday...(Never mail an animal before the weekend.) We are calling the Post Office demanding that they find him An they say, no joke, "We have other animals missing too you know!" The owner finmall got hthe pigeon on Monday. Weak, but alive...........


There are certian regulations on what animald can be mailed.......

Answer 5

I'm not sure how good an idea it is to ship a live rabbit. They scare-to-death very easily compared to other animals.

Answer 6

you can ship them through the post office but you need to call the district expedited services office first to get the OK your local post office should be able to give you the number. Because they are so jumpy prepare them let them spend time in in closed boxes like you would ship them in. hope this helps and good luck with your business.