Guinea Pig Boarding

Liane · Apr 16, 2011

Not sure if this is in the right place, but...

Next year I'm going away but I'm in a state about what to do with the pigs! I've got two boys and five girls, in three hutches. Normally, I'd ask a relative to look after them, but as its a family wedding, there's no family around!

I'm going to have to find either one experienced piggy carer who is feeling very generous, or three people willing to care for them separately. I have an Aunt who has piggies, but she's 45 mins away (not keen on them travelling) and I'd need to modify their hutches (goodness knows how i'd transport them) to make them more secure as foxes can get in her garden. Either that, or they all live in her dining room, which is unlikely but still possible.

I had a look at some boarding places, but I'm not overly comfortable with it.

http://www.mkpetcare.com/

I was looking at this place, but there aren't many details and the pictures are so small. I don't know how big the hutches are, or whether the rabbits are separate from the pigs in the runs! Has anyone used them? Are they good? Do you know any others in the Milton Keynes area?

Abi_nurse · Apr 16, 2011

Where abouts are you? You may be able to get someone nice on here to look after your piggies? I havent heard of the place sorry.

x.

Alicia · Apr 16, 2011

I could look after them for you if you could provide housing for them, but I'm about an hour and a half away from you so it is probably too far

Lady Kelly · Apr 16, 2011

what time of year are you going away? Are your piggies living indoors or outdoors?

Doeylicious · Apr 16, 2011

I run a guinea boarding business but am based in South London, so not ideal unless you are flying from Heathrow or Gatwick or holidaying down south somewhere.

I have my own hutches on the premises for guests to stay in and do special prices for forum members and larger groups.

My website is www.guinea-pig-getaways.co.uk if the location would work at all xx

xoxchickletxox · Apr 16, 2011

From what I see they look like hey are keept inside and than have turn outs?

daleksarah · Apr 17, 2011

could you not get a friend or someones teenager to house sit for you?what about a neighbour?

karen008 · Apr 17, 2011

I have used MK Pet Care to board my guinea pigs Ginger & Smudge a few times now.

They have a great set-up - the hutches and guinea pig cages are in a secure boarding house.

They are very friendly and let me look around before I booked Ginger & Smudge in, I would definitely recommend them.

Here is link to their website (hope it works) http://www.mkpetcare.com/

eva · Apr 17, 2011

hi where abouts are you and when are you going away?

Liane · Apr 17, 2011

Thanks for all the replies and generous offers!

I'm not going away until the easter holidays next year (can't remember the actual dates off the top of my head) but I need to start thinking about it now as I'll have to save money if they're boarding somewhere.

I live in Milton Keynes, and all of the pigs are outdoor pigs. If its necessary, I would be able to provide their own hutches, and food etc isnt a problem.

I've been thinking of possible people but they're either coming away with us (wedding), or they're likely to be at university or on holiday.

Thanks for the MKpets recommendation, I'll see if I can have a look at their place nearer the time.

Edit: oh, and one of the pigs is long haired. Do you think that will affect any boarding place's decision to take them on? Thats one of the reasons why I'm looking into experienced piggy owners rather than just a friend, because she will need brushing.

Gracie01 · Apr 17, 2011

Hi,
I work in the pet care industry (dog groomers/kennel and cattery) and my views are:

I think its best to go and have a look around a few places. Everyone has a different perception of caring for piggies, so what might seem right for one person, may not be right for someone else.

Doeylicious · Apr 17, 2011

Liane said:
Edit: oh, and one of the pigs is long haired. Do you think that will affect any boarding place's decision to take them on? Thats one of the reasons why I'm looking into experienced piggy owners rather than just a friend, because she will need brushing.

Depends on a lot of things - if they want the money, and some places just do, they will take her anyway regardless of brushing her or not.

Some will say no we don't take long haired I guess.

Others won't care. I had a long haired last year and gave her lots of brushes, she was so sweet. I ask people to let me know if their piggies have any special needs like extra grooming for Peruvians etc, or any long term meds, and if it is particularly daunting I would admit I couldn't take them on.

eva · Apr 17, 2011

Well I am Northampton I could ask hubby if we could take them you would need to bring them to us though.