• DONATIONS NOW OPEN! TGPF relies on donations to run. If you'd like to donate towards running costs you can find out more HERE
  • Fresh grass and lawn tips to avoid springtime deaths Click here for details

Guinea Pig Boarding

  • Thread starter Thread starter LesaC
  • Start date Start date
Status
Not open for further replies.
L

LesaC

So for about a year now I've been hoping that this will be the year I finally start running a little boarding business for guinea pigs and rabbits and perhaps eventually extending to chinchillas. I intend to just start on a small scale from my home and my vets have already started passing people to me (even though I haven't officially started yet). I was thinking of having some hutches constructed but came across some breeder blocks on ebay last night with removable partitions between them, wipe boards on front etc and am now thinking they may be a better option as any piggys with me will be here for short term. I've noticed a few rescues use them and really just wondering what you think of them, where the best place to buy etc is?

I have a big double garage with window and 2 doors. My intention is to have stud walls built in the garage, insulate that area of it and put double doors in so that there is a wooden locked door and a wire mesh door over it for use in warm weather. I have cats so the area will be kept very secure. I'm also thinking of setting up a large C&C as run area so people can see what great cages they are. There are already electricity points and lighting in there.

As piggy owners I'd like to know of anything else that you would be looking for in boarding.
 
You will need insurance, a designated vet, maybe pampering nail clips and a bath and groom. My piggies live in a huge cage and would like to be able to have a 6ft cage for the 3 of them as they have a 6x2 c&c with a 1x8 upper level. Choice of beddings maybe - or reduced price if you bring your own?
 
I've already researched the legal requirments (I'm a solictor by trade but don't practice any more so was my first thought) and been in touch with the local council about licensing. I have a very good relationship with my vet so hoping to work something out with them and will also hope to incorporate that into the boardings forms customers will be required to sign. I have the boarding manual from the Feline Advisory Board as also hope to one day build purpose built boarding for cats and separate building for the smallies out on family farm. The Manual has legal info, sample contracts etc which I can adapt for the piggys.

I use an equine bedding and I do also have vet bed and some fleeces so my plan is to have some of those specifically for the rescue and customers can chose a preference. I won't be using shavings as also hoping to take this as an opportunity to educate.

Good idea on the grooming. I keep GG stuff in the house and am used to clipping nails so could certainly do that.

The thing I liked about the breeder blocks is that they offer variation so can have them stacked on top of each other or side by side and whilst side by side can remove partitions to make hutch as long as want.

Food is an issue I'm not sure of because obviously the piggys will have to get the food they are used to and thinking it's probably better if owners can supply own pellet or if I find there are certain foods most popular then can keep that in stock.

Practically speaking I doubt I will be able to offer big cages as the room required to provide that for all piggys would be a lot. From my research most boarders provide a hutch or cage and then plenty of free time in a run area each day. I'm also wondering if a smaller home would be better for the boarders as perhaps being in a large cage in new surroundings might be a bit scary for them?
 
The boarder I've been using is asking to bring your own pellets please, as piggies do not like to change and there are too many mixes on the market.

She also asks for your own vet's address, so she can take the piggies where they are known.
 
I have a very dominant piggy and space is an issue! maybe have a one or two extra large cages that you can charge a premium for? and i would be fine about taking my own food, houses, tubes etc etc but my piggies are used to moving around so generally not bothered by a new cage or surroundings. Would expect fresh veggies to be offered by the boarder - maybe have a menu?
 
Status
Not open for further replies.
Back
Top