Blackberry Boarding
Watership Down
23 Rosedale Close
Hardwicke
Gloucestershire
GL2 4JL
Tel: 01452 729320 or 07798 554527
Email: blackberryboarding@hotmail.com
Web: http://www.blackberryboarding.co.uk
RabbitsGuinea PigsHamsters, Mice etc.Small Pet Boarding Information
About Our Boarding Service:
Welcome to Blackberry Boarding, we are a quality rabbit and other small animals holiday boarding facility based in Gloucestershire. If you are looking for someone experienced to give your pets the care and attention they deserve whilst you go on holiday, move house, or whatever you need to do then please get in touch and see if we can help.
Our standard of care is of the utmost importance and therefore numbers are limited to ensure that this is always maintained.
We offer peace of mind for you whilst you are away knowing that your pet will not only be taken care of but receive the extra special love and attention they would normally have. We don't charge for cuddles here!
All pets who stay at Blackberry Boarding are given a selection of fresh fruit and vegetables twice daily and any special dietary requirements are also catered for. Rabbits who require special care and/or medication are welcome. Disabled pets also boarded.
We offer a range of rabbit pellet mixes including Supreme Science Selective, Burgess Super Rabbit Excel and a quality rabbit muesli. If your rabbit or guinea pig has different mix we are happy to get a supply of this in for them.
We will provide your rabbits with top quality farm hay from a local supplier. I can guarantee that your rabbits will absolutely love it.
For our rabbit's litter trays we use a product called "Woody Pet Bedding" which is an extremely absorbent litter, unless you have an alternative product which you prefer. We do not encourage the use of sawdust due to the fact that it has been proven to have a negative and harmful impact on rabbit's (and other animals) respiratory systems. If you would prefer us to use something else in the litter trays then please bring enough with you for the duration of your rabbit's stay.
Owners have over fifteen years of small animal health experience and access to a rabbit specialist vet for telephone advice and consultations.
Experience and boarding now offered for Degu, who require special dietary care and attention. These fascinating little creatures are becoming very popular and are extremely intelligent and require lots of attention on a daily basis.
Member of Rabbit Welfare Association and previously acted as an area co-ordinator for the South West for The British House Rabbit Association, giving telephone advice and support to rabbit owners.
General Advice
If you would like my advice on a rabbit related issues then please feel free to contact me on the above email address or telephone numbers and I will endeavour to help. Please note that I am not a vet, my advice is based purely on my rabbit experience. If you think your rabbit is unwell or in need of veterinary attention then you should take them to the vets straight away - rabbits deteriorate rapidly and you should never delay seeking veterinary attention.
Testimonials
I recommend Blackberry Boarding to anyone who needs a safe and caring home-from-home for their rabbit while they are away. Sharon and Chris are the only people I want to look after our house bunny, Barnsley, when we are on holiday, as they make every effort to give each rabbit the highest possible standard of care. For me (and Barnsley), the 2 hour round trip from home is definitely worth making. While he is with Sharon, Barnsley is able to behave just as he does at home, particularly enjoying his exploration of her lounge and his evening treats and cuddle session! I always feel totally relaxed about leaving Barnsley at Blackberry Boarding, knowing that he will have a lovely holiday while I am gone.
Our mutual love of rabbits was how I first met Sharon. I run a rabbit and guinea pig rescue and Sharon came to adopt one of our orphan bunnies. She now has quite a menagerie of bunnies, as well as the additions of guinea pigs and degus. Her excuse for the piggies and degus is that in order to care for other peoples pets properly she needs to have personal experience of them. Well, I will leave you to ponder on her reasoning! I guess Chris is just relieved that she did not decide to board giraffes or something!
Whenever I have a medical crisis at the rescue I always go to Sharon for advice. She has a very in depth knowledge of the complexities of rabbits and will always put herself out to help when she can.
Both Sharon and Chris are very caring genuine people, and I can assure anyone who wishes to leave their beloved pet in their care, that he/she or they will be in capable, loving hands.
It's so good not to have to worry about your pets when you are going on holiday, and I certainly don't need to worry when they are in Blackberry Boarding! I'm pretty sure my rabbit, Pickles, gets better looked after there than he does at home. And when a pet has any health problems I can be sure of careful professional attention above and beyond the call of duty - one of our rabbits required regular injections and wound flushing, and Sahron didn't even flinch. I'm confident too that if my pet showed any signs of illness during its stay it would be spotted and treated at once - Blackberry Boarding really know and care about their bunnies.
'Knowing that our rabbit Smudge was being well looked after by experts while we've been on holiday has made going away much easier. We received regular updates about how he was getting on while we were away and when we came back he seemed incredibly contented (we wondered whether he really wanted to come home!)
Thanks to Sharon Smudge also met his true love Suzi and so in future both our rabbits will be spending their holidays at Blackberry Boarding.'
I have no hesitation in recommending Blackberry Boarding to all bunny owners - your obvious knowledge of caring for rabbits as well as your enthusiasm reassured me that my pets would be well looked after. I have used Blackberry Boarding twice in the last 6 months, and my only concern is that my bunnies are so well treated they won't want to come home!
For further information please visit www.blackberryboarding.co.uk
Accomodation:
WOODEN LODGE ACCOMMODATION
Indoor bunnies catered for – you can either bring their own house or we have en suite cages available for your pet.
Recently acquired large Wooden Lodge with Thistle Hall hutches installed for your pet's comfort, giving them plenty of space whilst boarding.
Outdoor exercise runs available and cover provided when raining.
Nothing is too much trouble, toys, special bedding, hay, and food all readily available to your pet.
Only rabbits, guinea pigs and other small animals will be boarded so no noisy dogs or clawing cats to disturb your pets slumbers.
Exercise:
We feel daily exercise is a necessity for your pet's health and the extra stimulation this gives prevents your pet from becoming bored or lonely. We have secure runs available for this purpose so your pets can have a free run in the garden (weather permitting).
Health & Hygiene:
Rabbit accommodation is maintained to a high standard and hygiene is of utmost importance. All rabbits are vaccinated before they can be accepted at Blackberry Boarding.
Part of what you are paying for when your bunnies come to stay with us is our experience and knowledge of all things 'rabbit'. We believe that rabbits are very special creatures and they have very specific needs which we know how to cater for. We are very experienced at looking after rabbits and we can pick up the subtle signs of a poorly bunny very quickly which is valuable as rabbits can go downhill very rapidly when unwell. Being prey animals they are also very good at hiding the fact that they are poorly which isn't the best thing to do when they need help!
We also have the support of a local vet, expert in rabbit health, so in the unlikely event that your rabbit does get poorly it will be in very capable hands. (Obviously the cost of any veterinary treatment for your rabbits will need to be covered by you, the owner).
Small Pet Boarding Tarif
Prices are available upon request, a 25% deposit will be payable. Prices are also negotiable depending on the length of stay. Long term boarders welcome.
During their stay your Rabbit and Guinea Pig will be provided with the following:
Fresh fruit and vegetables twice daily
Meadow hay and dried grass
Fresh water, changed daily, can be provided in bottle or bowl
Litter trays changed daily
Bedtime treats (healthy version treats!)
Regular checks and bunny conversation/attention and pampering, lots of toys available
Daily access to outdoor runs, weather permitting
Daily health check to include fly strike
Daily grooming if required
ClawTrim (if required) please ask for prices
If for any reason you need to cancel your booking with Blackberry Boarding we ask that you do give us as much notice as possible and any cancellation fee, if appropriate, will be discussed at that time.
Reaching Us
Open Hours:
Blackberry Boarding can be contacted at any time however collection and drop off times are to be arranged when booking.
We try to be as flexible as possible to fit in with your plans.
Location:
Hardwicke is best approached from the M5 motorway, thereby avoiding the centre of Gloucester.
Leave the M5 at junction 12 and at first roundabout take the first exit left on to B4008. Proceed along duel carriageway to next roundabout (McDonalds on left). At roundabout take third exit on to B4008 and continue until slip road on left B4008. Past the Starting Gate Pub on left and at next roundabout take first exit left onto Fieldcourt Drive. Continue for one mile to next roundabout and take first exit left on to School Lane to mini roundabout. Take second exit into Wharfedale Way and at mini roundabout take second exit right and Rosedale Close is second turning on the right hand side. No 23 is on the left hand side.
Other Services
Services:GroomingClaw Clipping
Grooming and Claw Clipping are available and prices will be advised upon request.
A general health check for your pet is also available free of charge.