Should I send Toffee and Biscuit to piggy boarding?

[LondonLady]

I'm getting myself into a bit of a state. I'm planning to go away for a couple of days to stay with a friend in a few weeks time and I'm not sure what to do about the piggies! There's no way I can take them with me and I live on my own.

I have a friend who would come in once a day to see to them, and as she has looked after guinea pigs in the past I would trust her.

But... I'm also hoping to go away for a longer break (a week or two) later in the year, and I couldn't ask this friend to come in for more than a couple of days, so I've been looking into piggy boarding. I've found a place that looks really nice a reasonable distance from me, and I've been in contact with them. It all looks great, but to be honest I feel quite scared about entrusting Toffee and Biscuit to people I don't know, and I'm thinking I would like to 'try them out' by taking them there while I'm away the first time, just for 2-3 days, so that if the place is ok I will feel comfortable about sending them there for a week or more later.

One minute this seems like a good idea, the next I'm thinking, no I don't want to risk upsetting them and anything going wrong if it's not really necessary.

And of course there's no guarantee that the place would have room for them on the dates I want...

I haven't had a break of any sort since 2019 (and I didn't have the piggies then) so it would be really nice if i could get away, but I'm getting really anxious about it all to the point of saying I won't bother about a holiday because it all feels too complicated.

 

[Betsy]

It's an anxious time entrusting piggies to a complete stranger. When I moved here, I had to find a piggy boarder and she is lovely. I trust her completely with my piggies. I found her on the internet and she was more than happy for me to go round and have a look at her set up and ask any questions. Another one I contacted wouldn't let me go around to look at the place so for me that was a big no no. Have you enquired whether you can look at the boarding facilities? Are there any reviews?

 

[Swissgreys]

I fully understand your concerns - it is perfectly natural to be worried.
But when you have pets (of any type) I personally feel one of the most important things have in place (after a good vet) is someone to care for your piggies in your absence.

Firstly you deserve a holiday or a few days away every now and then.
Plus none of us know what the future holds, and if you suddenly had to make an emergency trip or were unable to care for your piggies for some reason it would be much easier to deal with if you already had a plan in place.

I would say take them along to the boarder you have found for a short 'test' visit.
This is the best way to really find out if she offers the care that you feel is suitable.
I know the first time will be hard, but you will feel a lot better once you have somewhere you know they can go safely.

Having had many animals over the years what I would say is that people who board small animals like guinea pigs are not making a fortune from it, so they tend to do it because they really love them.

 

[LondonLady]

Thank you both for responding @Betsy and @Swissgreys .
The more I think about it the more I feel I really ought to take them to the boarding place. I haven't actually asked to see the place myself, but I have seen lots of pictures and as far as I can tell it seems to be very nice and very well run. There are lots of good reviews on the website too.

I did find another place much closer to me which would have been really convenient but when I looked into it I just felt that they didn't actually know much about guinea pigs and I didn't feel I could trust them. While the place I'm considering, obviously I can't be 100% sure but my gut feeling is that they are experienced and really care about the pets they look after.

I think I'll contact them again and see if they can fit Toffee and Biscuit in for my weekend away. I still feel nervous about it but just writing it all down has helped me clarify things in my mind.
Thanks again

 

[weepweeps]

Thank you both for responding @Betsy and @Swissgreys .
The more I think about it the more I feel I really ought to take them to the boarding place. I haven't actually asked to see the place myself, but I have seen lots of pictures and as far as I can tell it seems to be very nice and very well run. There are lots of good reviews on the website too.

I did find another place much closer to me which would have been really convenient but when I looked into it I just felt that they didn't actually know much about guinea pigs and I didn't feel I could trust them. While the place I'm considering, obviously I can't be 100% sure but my gut feeling is that they are experienced and really care about the pets they look after.

I think I'll contact them again and see if they can fit Toffee and Biscuit in for my weekend away. I still feel nervous about it but just writing it all down has helped me clarify things in my mind.
Thanks again

I think that’s the best option. A short trial before any longer trips away. I hope they enjoy their break and you do too.

 

[Spaghetti & Noodles]

We are sending ours to a boarder in August, I went to view the facilities before I booked in. It's not the same as being at home but as we are going away for 2 weeks a can't ask someone to come in, I think a trial is a good idea to settle your mind.

 

[Ruth1]

Would it be appropriate to offer to pay your friend to look after them in your own home? My friend does that for me. I’m away for a couple of days myself at the min. So she is in twice a day and I have a piggy cam set up that lets me watch the zoomie in the evening!

 

[LondonLady]

Would it be appropriate to offer to pay your friend to look after them in your own home? My friend does that for me. I’m away for a couple of days myself at the min. So she is in twice a day and I have a piggy cam set up that lets me watch the zoomie in the evening!

That sounds great but not really an option for me for a longer break. My friend is quite happy to come in for 2 or 3 days but wouldn't be able to commit to longer than that.