White rabbits and white doves (also known as Java doves) can be purchased at many pet shops. There may be local breeders in your area, also. The best doves to use are the pure white ones; the best rabbits are white dwarfs (because they will stay small).

The production or vanishing of a live animal always gets a big reaction, and can be a worthwhile addition to your act. There are some things you should consider, however, before you decide to include live animals in your show.

Except, perhaps, a dead animal. PLEASE USE CAUTION when loading your animal into the harness or box. Make sure the animal fits comfortably. (Rabbits are known to quickly grow too large for typical magic equipment. Don't squeeze your rabbit into any box- get another rabbit.)

And by the way, NEVER pick up a rabbit by its ears. Despite the many unfortunate illustrations of a magician literally pulling a rabbit from a hat in this manner, such handling is very harmful to the rabbit. The animal should always be firmly but gently supported underneath.

Also be aware that doves will fly away (clipping their wing feathers doesn't work, and can be harmful to the bird). It is best to use them in cage-like props, where they are always safe, or at least use them only for indoor shows.

Doves can be trained to fly to a post or to your hand, or over the heads of the audience and back to you, and this can be a very dramatic addition to your show. Because of the work involved, not many magicians use doves this way, so you would also have a pretty unique act.

If you would like to use doves or rabbits, but do not want to have to train them, there are a number of magical props specially created to safely produce or vanish small animals.

Other animals can be used in your act as well. Magicians have used parakeets, cockatoos, parrots, turkeys, ducks, ferrets, skunks, pigs, snakes, and dogs.