Pet Rabbit Purchase Requirements, Housing Standards & Required Supplies

Responsible Breeding • Proper Husbandry • Ethical Placement • Lifelong Commitment

IMPORTANT — READ BEFORE APPLYING

Cherokee Flats is committed to responsible breeding, proper husbandry, and placing our rabbits in prepared, knowledgeable homes.

All requirements identified as mandatory are conditions of purchasing a pet rabbit from Cherokee Flats.

This policy applies to pet purchases of the following breeds:

  • Polish

  • Mini Lop

  • English Lop

Rabbits purchased specifically for meat production or exhibition/show purposes are subject to separate policies.

Cherokee Flats reserves the right to request housing photographs, review proposed care arrangements, and refuse or cancel placements that do not meet our requirements.

Product Recommendation Disclosure

All linked products are items Cherokee Flats currently uses or has used in the past and highly recommends based on firsthand experience.

We receive no commissions, sponsorships, free merchandise, payments, or other compensation for these recommendations.

Equivalent products may be accepted when they meet our requirements and receive approval.

 

1. REQUIRED — Rabbit Housing

Cherokee Flats requires approved cage-based housing for all pet rabbits.

Permanent unrestricted free-roaming household arrangements are not approved.

Breed-Specific Cage Dimensions

BreedMinimumCherokee Flats MaximumPolish24" × 18"24" × 24"Mini Lop24" × 24"24" × 30"English Lop24" × 30"24" × 36"

These dimensions describe the primary cage configuration. They are not sufficient as a rabbit's entire living space without access to a substantially larger exercise area.

Indoor Exercise

Pet rabbits may exercise in a secure indoor playpen, exercise pen, or another approved extended enclosure.

The exercise area must:

  • Allow normal hopping, stretching, and movement.

  • Be escape-resistant.

  • Be free of electrical cords, toxic plants, and other hazards.

  • Protect the rabbit from other household animals.

  • Provide safe flooring.

  • Be supervised when necessary.

A playpen or exercise enclosure is recommended for all pet rabbit owners and must provide sufficient exercise opportunities.

Single-Level Housing

Cherokee Flats requires single-level primary cages.

Multi-level cages and unsafe elevated platforms are not approved because of potential falls, fractures, and spinal injuries.

Flooring

Cherokee Flats requires appropriately constructed wire flooring with a suitable solid resting surface.

Owners must monitor their rabbits' feet for irritation and sore hocks.

Recommended Rabbit Cage:

MidWest Wire Rabbit Cage — Amazon

Verify cage specifications and dimensions before purchasing.

 

2. REQUIRED — Solid Resting Surface & Stone Tiles

All pet rabbits must have access to an appropriate solid resting surface.

Cherokee Flats recommends stone or porcelain tiles as a durable, easy-to-clean option.

Mini Lop & Polish

Satori Multicolor 12" × 12" Natural Stone Slate Tile — Lowe's

English Lop

DELLA TORRE Riverdale Sand 12" × 24" Glazed Porcelain Tile — Lowe's

Summer Cooling Tip

Stone tiles can be placed in the freezer during hot summer days to help provide a cooling surface for your rabbit.

Allow the tile to warm until comfortably cool before use. Never place a frozen or excessively cold tile directly against the animal.

The rabbit must be able to move away from the tile.

Tiles must be:

  • Smooth and free of sharp edges.

  • Stable and positioned flat.

  • Clean and undamaged.

  • Free of unsafe coatings.

  • Used alongside a softer resting surface.

Stone tiles are recommended, not mandatory.

 

3. REQUIRED — Rabbit Nutrition

Recommended Pellets:

Oxbow Animal Health Essentials Rabbit Food — Amazon

Rabbits must receive:

  • Appropriate rabbit-specific pellets.

  • Unlimited fresh grass hay.

  • Fresh drinking water.

  • Suitable leafy greens.

  • Limited species-safe treats.

Approximately ½ cup of pellets daily may be appropriate for some adult rabbits, but amounts must be adjusted to individual nutritional needs.

Water Bottle

Lixit Water Bottle — Amazon

Food Bowl

Bass Equipment Cast Aluminum Bowls

Fresh water must be available continuously.

 

4. REQUIRED — Additional Rabbit Supplies

Buyers must have the following before pickup:

  • Approved single-level cage.

  • Solid resting surface.

  • Secure exercise pen or suitable extended enclosure.

  • Unlimited grass hay and hay feeder.

  • Rabbit-specific pellets.

  • Water bottle or other approved water source.

  • Food bowl.

  • Safe chew toys.

  • Appropriate enrichment.

  • Grooming supplies and nail clippers.

  • Secure transportation carrier.

  • Cleaning and sanitation supplies.

  • Access to a rabbit-experienced veterinarian.

 

5. REQUIRED — Outdoor Roaming Restriction

PET RABBITS PURCHASED FROM CHEROKEE FLATS ARE NOT PERMITTED TO ROAM OUTSIDE ON GRASS AT ANY TIME.

This includes outdoor exercise pens placed directly on lawns.

This policy is intended to reduce exposure to:

  • Parasites and infectious diseases.

  • Wildlife contamination.

  • Pesticides and herbicides.

  • Toxic plants.

  • Predators.

  • Escape and injury.

  • Dangerous weather conditions.

All exercise must take place in a secure environment consistent with our housing requirements.

 

6. Spaying & Neutering Policy

Cherokee Flats strongly discourages elective spaying and neutering.

This policy is included in our Purchase Agreement and is intended to be a contractual condition of sale, subject to applicable law.

Medical exceptions are recognized when a licensed veterinarian determines that surgery is necessary to protect an animal's health, including serious injuries and reproductive disease.

Veterinary treatment must never be delayed or withheld because of this policy.

 

7. Pet Rabbit Purchase Restrictions

  • A completed purchase application and approval are required.

  • Pet rabbits are not sold to homes with existing pet rabbits, even if housed separately.

  • Pet rabbits are not sold to households with children under six.

  • All existing household animals and children's ages must be disclosed.

  • Housing and required supplies must be ready before pickup.

  • Cherokee Flats may request photographs of the prepared housing.

  • Buyers must have access to appropriate veterinary care.

 

8. Pickup, Transportation & Payment Policies

Cherokee Flats is a closed-loop farm.

Visits and pickups are by appointment only. Casual tours and unscheduled visits are not permitted.

Transportation: No live shipping. Approved third-party ground transportation may be arranged.

Pickup: Animals eight weeks or older are generally scheduled for the next available Saturday. Other deadlines are governed by the Purchase Agreement.

Boarding: $45 per day when applicable.

Pricing: Prices vary. Mini Lops start at $95 and Polish rabbits start at $50.

Payments are non-refundable except as specified in the Purchase Agreement and required by law.

Holiday Closures

Pet sales and pickups are suspended:

  • December 1–31.

  • Fourteen days before through fourteen days after Easter Sunday.

Animals are not holiday gifts.

 

9. Final Rabbit Buyer Acknowledgment

By submitting an application, buyers acknowledge and agree to Cherokee Flats' requirements concerning housing, exercise, nutrition, resting surfaces, outdoor restrictions, veterinary care, sterilization policies, and pickup arrangements.

Cherokee Flats may refuse or cancel a placement that does not meet these standards, subject to the Purchase Agreement and applicable law.

IF YOU CANNOT MEET THESE REQUIREMENTS, PLEASE DO NOT APPLY.