If that is what the baby looks like now it is barely 4weeks old – likely 3-4 weeks

Here was my Oakley at 2weeks ^

And here’s him at 8weeks below

Yours is inbetween – I would say almost 4 weeks old
At 5 weeks they look like a mini version of their adult self – it’s a good time at 5weeks for beeeders to get an idea of what they will develop into after the “uglies”
by 8weeks old their ears look to big for them and they start the “uglies” as they are called in holland lops – not a chubbybhead anymore ( it goes fine looking through the uglies) and ears look to big for them.

First of all – that is just too cute

I don’t own any Holland Lops but I agree with Oakley’s Mama, it looks like a three week old to me. Some pics here of different ages –> https://truluvrabbitry.com/2009/01/01/how-does-a-8-weeks-old-look-like/

Personally I would buy from a different breeder… that money is onky going to sell more under-age rabbits and your rabbit will be missing much of what it needs from its motherat that age.

I would report her if is illegal where you are ( unfortunately it isn’t illegal here and my Boston went to a petstore at 5weeks and he was sick )
Oakley -pictured above was from a great breeder and he came to me at 8 weeks

I would report her and go elsewhere
I know it’s sad to leave that baby but it’s a huge risk getting one from someone selling unweaned underage babies and it will just continue unless someone complains

Only other thing you could do is take the baby and then complain to appropriate place since it’s illegal there
Given she may sell it to someone else to young – But you may get heart broken
And it’s risky.
But you def need to report her! Or you are supporting here by purchasing from her
You don’t want to do that.

If you take the baby you will need to contact a rabbit vet and find out all you can on how to care for her and get her eating etc
It’s a horrible situation.

I want to say cancel it – report her and sue her for the money back given she is in breach of laws where you are
But i purchased Boston from a bad situation to save him too so I understand how hard it is to turn away

Supporting her isn’t good – but if you report her and fight her for money back and have authorities start looking into her then you aren’t supporting her.

Do you have rspca there? I would ring them

Apart from greed, of course, what does she say to justify the demand for more money?

You’ve made a deposit, so the ‘sale’ if safe from her POV. Since you are clearly attached to this little bunny (she is gorgeous btw) this is sounding very much like emotional blackmail.

This is hard for you, I see that. Should you decide to move on, make it clear to her you will report her and publicize what she does to future buyers.

She should be put out of business. She is endangering these poor young bunnies.

I’ve sent you a message grace

It is possible you can contact the police, emergency line or nonemergency line, to report illegal animal keeping/selling like this. I have to agree that she is way too young and looks about 4 weeks old, at best. Being that she also is not weaned is dangerous as babies need to be weaned slowly to avoid stomach trouble.

I got my nethie from a breeder(certified) family owned pet store; the breeder told them him and his siblings were about 12 weeks, but it turned out he was only 5 weeks. The store did cut with that breeder and notified police. My bun was not weaned and needed to be syringe fed for the first few weeks as I slowly weaned him onto hay. I completely feel for what you are going through

Boarding fee? Unreal, since she is charging 300 dollars already. That bunny is a baby, the amount of food she would consume at that age is minimal. This is a total joke. I feel for you.

You wrote: “I will definitely report her (although it creates a lot of pressure on me because her rabbitry is very famous, has almost 100,000 followers on instagram)”.

Famous for what? I’ll keep an eye on this. Maybe 100,000 people are being misinformed about her TRUE practices. That can actually hurt her.

“she usually sells bunnies at a very young age because they’re at their “cutest”. She calls them “teacup” size.’

That is obscene. Says a lot actually. Doesn’t encourage the ten year (or more) commitment that a bunny can represent.

Good luck and keep us posted. xx 

Lots of followers does not mean good breeder or reputation – it usually means they take good photos of young bunnies… sadly
People are drawn in by 2-6week old animals naturally – babies draw the “awww” “ooooo” and the “click share!” Button and “follow” button out of everyone

We all like to see cute photos
And lots like to see them in weird photography poses – in teacups or in flower pots and with teddies and dressed up etc etc
It does get attention – but it does not tell those serious about purchasing anything at all about the health , quality and personality of the breeder and her animals at all.

One of our worst breeders over here who sells bunnies with all sorts wrong / doesn’t supply the paid for pedigree papers and something even sells crosses as pedigrees has heaps of followers!!! Because of her photography of young bunnies. Nothin at all to do with her or her bunnies supplied. There are a lot of upset buyers and even anti her pages.
That’s over here – and that is one breeder – but it goes to show you can’t trust a book by its cover ( or page by its Facebook page!)

I sent you a message grace. One of my former soldiers is a fish and game warden in New Jersey and he’s very interested as am i.

Contact your local police on the non-emergency line. Just tell them what’s going on and ask if there’s anything that can be done. No harm in that!

I would also non-rudely send her pictures of actual 8-week-old bunnies and say that your bunny looks much too young, and just ask her what’s up.