Guinea Pig Boarding

It's great you are thinking of starting a business. As a business owner I know what a leap of faith this requires!

It might just be me, I'm sure others think differently but I'm just really funny when it comes to boarding my animals. If I ever need to be away, my mum stays with my piggies (with the huge instruction manual that I leave with here lol), that way they are in the comfort of their own home and I know they are safe. Though I do still worry! I wouldn't like the stress of moving them all to boarding. And as for the dog, I only go places where he can come with me.
But that's just me, I probably worry far too much about my babies!

I know a lot more people are now looking for pet-sitters or people who visit their houses to look after animals rather than boarding. Not sure if this is something you have already considered?
 
I know exactly how you feel.

To be completely honest it depends how things pan out.

I handed in my notice at work in order to pursue a vocation with animals. I've applied for some veterinary assistant positions which I would love so if I was successful the boarding would be alongside my dayjob. However plan B is to completely work for myself so I would offer pet sitting and dog walking alongside as have experience.
 
When I was looking for somewhere to board my piggies the biggest thing for me was going round to have a look at what they could provide in terms of hutch space, where the hutch was, was the hutch outside/in a shed. Was the shed heated in the winter etc. How much space did piggies have in the run, how much run time would they get in the run, could I bring my own food, bowls, waterbottles, hidies? A couple of places I found wouldn't let me go round to have a look (Pre covid) and wouldn't send me any pictures of their set up either! One said that they would be in an unheated shed, but there was a TV in there for company! What so piggies watch TV all day do they? The place I chose for my piggies holidays is a lovely set up where I can leave my piggies happy in the knowledge that they will be well looked after with access to a good vet if necessary (my own vet isn't that far away) and the lady who runs it clearly loves animals and is very lovely and knowledgeable about piggies and rabbits (she also boards rabbits but in a completely different shed to the piggies).
 
Where I have boarded my girls the main thing to help me make up my mind was the large amount of information including pictures on the website. I could find out everything I needed to know there before I made contact. Every detail was available down to how she gives half hour appointments for dropping off pigs so there is a thorough handover and everyone is happy. I was also reassured by the reviews, although obviously that's harder for you when starting up!

Not everything she does is the same as how I do it, but I view it a bit like leaving your toddler to play with the grandparents - they will be safe and have fun and it will be different but not harmful!

Why don't you look around the websites of some established boarders to help you cover all the areas you need to research. You need to have lots of policies written down, like what you will do if they need to see a vet while with you - owners need to agree to pay the consultation fee. And what will you do if people don't pick up at the agreed time? If all these things are plainly written in advance of taking bookings it will save you a lot of stress!
 
Well done you for having the courage to follow what you really want to do! I admire that.
We took a huge leap with our business. It’s been hard work but well worth it.

Could you create a survey? To help you do some market research and find out what people look for in boarding? Get them to rate the importance of particular aspects too?
 
Yep I will have all the necessary paperwork and insurance in place. I regularly have people view my setups as I foster for a local rescue so I've nothing against that, and happy send customers photos mid stay should they wish. Sadly I only have space for outside accommodation, inside and outbuilding over winter, but I would explain that I don't board indoor pigs over winter for that reason. I am very similar in that I like all the answers clearly shown on the website so would make sure it was very detailed.
 
I think someone dedicated and knowledgeable in looking after guinea pigs and knowing when something is not right. They can go down hill so fast, then nice size hutches and pens etc.
 
All of the above plus -
I would want a choice of bedding or to be able to supply my own. My boars are used to fleece and one pair live on vetbed as one of them gets sore feet on anything else.
 
I’ve only ever boarded my (boar) piggies once. I know space can be difficult but I was disappointed by the cage they were housed in. It met the minimum but I would have preferred bigger. The other thing was grass time. They boarded rabbits as well, who had priority for run time. So it wasn’t guaranteed they’d get time on it as well. The good thing is the boarder asked me their feeding schedule and what they ate.
 
For me I would want to feel confident that the person running the boarding set up was knowledgeable and confident.
Things that would be important would be the chance to provide my own dry food/special hay and or forage (with clear instructions to send such items in a resealable container clearly labelled with the piggies names and feeding instructions), a selection of fresh that could be fed daily (just a tick box thing on the booking form advising which fresh foods were available and asking if you would like them fed), a clear pick up and drop off time, allowing a calm handover rather than arriving with 3 other families, and the chance to see my piggies/rabbits in the actual cage they would be staying in.
 
I've included a section on my booking form specifically tailored to diet. So what pellets are fed, what vegetables are the piggies used to, any special requirements etc. It states that I include good Quality hay , forage and either burgess or ss pellets as standard but recommends that anyone feeding other brands should supply some for the health of the guinea pigs.
 
Wow. Love the idea.
Space and time course.
If I was boarding my piggies . . I didn't know the person I would like to visit and see the set up. .
A good close relationship with a exotic vet be a must.
I wish you all the best.
 
I would want the person to be someone who understands piggies and is able to spot behaviours that could be early signs of possible health issues and take action.

I would want to meet them and chat about pigs in general prior to making any booking so as to gauge their knowledge and passion. And see their setup.

They would need to be registered with a cavy savvy vet they know and trust.

The premises and piggy accommodation would have to be secure.

I would want them to ask about my piggies' personalities (and take note).

Be able to provide daily veg in the quantities my pigs are used to.

Not to feed anything they have been told not to

I would not want my pigs put out for grass time because lawns cannot be disinfected, instead I would like their accommodation to be bigger than the minimum rspca recommendation.

I would want to see them in their accommodation when dropped off and collected (to be sure they are not left sitting in a box for hours)

I dont think I ask too much lol
 
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