Merry Muddles- Small Animal Boarding

We absolutely love Nicky and Merry Muddles. I've previously written a review on behalf of our baby, our bunny Chester but now we also have Feather, we felt it only fair that the love given to her was also shared. I honestly can't put into words how comfortable we now feel and no longer hold any guilt when my partner and I go away because we know our babies are having a holiday of their own and how happy they are. Before Nicky I'd had previous boarders look after my pets and yes, I knew they were cared for well but Nicky's care is on another level and I know they're having their own best holiday. Chester has had multiple stays with Nicky but Feather has just had her second. We usually would have been given the ‘cold shoulder' treatment for going away but when we got home the other day, we were given only an hour of being ignored followed by lots of cuddles ever since so again it just shows how happy they are there. We also love the health checks and it's so comforting knowing your baby is not only coming home after being well looked after but is coming home healthy - you usually only hear that from vet appointments. So anyone looking for reviews and where to go…this is the place and that's coming from a long term animal owner and pet lover. Thank you Nicky and Merry Muddles x

From Maddison Johnson on 29/01/2024

amazing service very friendly and really cares about the animals well being

From keira on 18/01/2024

Nicky looked after Olivia and Parker exceptionally well, in their extended winter break! They've come back having obviously been very well cared for, and their owner (14 year old Violet) is very happy indeed. Would recommend, and we will definitely use again!

From Charlotte Davis on 13/12/2023

Nicky is fabulous. Looked after my tortoise George and she took great care of him. He had everything he needed and I felt extremely happy leaving him with Nicky. Highly recommend

From Debbie on 11/12/2023

Great - my piggies have had another lovely stay at merry muddles, obviously Nikki knows and loves Guinea pigs, and it is lovely to know they are being well looked after!

From Laura Bennett on 10/11/2023

From the moment I met Nicky I knew our gorgeous bunny would be in safe hands! So warm and reassuring, it was obvious she'd be the same with the animals! Thank you so much Nicky for taking such great care of this important member of our family- she is looking forward to her next stay!

From Emma Strong on 02/11/2023

Excellent boarding for my rabbit as usual . Highly recommended. Very reassuring that my rabbit is in safe and caring hands.

From Robert on 23/10/2023

First time I have put my bunnies into boarding but I had no worries leaving them in Nicky's care, she is amazing. I received regular updates and photos, giving me peace of mind and I was able to relax and enjoy my holiday. On return I picked up two happy bunnies, that had been very well groomed and nails clipped. Will be using again most definitely. Would give 10 stars if I could. Thank you Nicky for looking after my babies so well 😊

From Tanya on 06/10/2023

Highly recommend merry muddles boarding! Will definitely be using them again, (if they'll take my naughty rabbits) 😂

From Grace Cowell on 19/09/2023

My 2 rabbits had their first stay at Merry Muddles last week. Booking and drop off where both easy and Nicky put me at ease with the way she welcomed and handled them. She asked about their routine, behaviour, health, and diet to try and keep things as normal as possible for them. She was really responsive to my messages and sent regular messages and photos/ videos while we were away. They were relaxed when I picked them up and Nicky had cut their nails and a little groom which was a bonus. I would highly recommend Nicky and Merry Muddles.

From Jo on 10/09/2023

Our guinea pig, Chocolate, loved his stay at Merry Muddles this summer. He was looked after for nearly 6 weeks while we were away, including an extra week due to us being stranded in France. He was pampered and handled with such kindness, and we were given regular updates with photos and videos while away which our 8yo absolutely loved. Wouldn't hesitate to recommend to any other small pet owners!

From Molly Weaver on 31/08/2023

Peanut and Benji came back from 2 weeks boarding a couple weeks ago and absolutely loved their time with Nicky! It's the first time we have ever boarded them with anyone and Nicky made us feel so relaxed about being away from the boys! Being able to use WhatsApp to receive messages and pictures definitely put our minds at rest too. We will definitely be using Merry Muddles anytime we go away ❤️

From Emily on 21/08/2023

Nicky looked after our tortoise, Archie, for a week whilst we were on holiday. When we dropped him off, she took the time to find out about Archie's routine and any relevant history and we felt confident leaving him in her care. Whilst we were away, Nicky communicated with us regularly by sending photographs which was a lovely reassurance. Archie has struggled with not having an appetite when away from home in the past but on the first day, Nicky sent us a photograph of him enjoying lunch which shows that he clearly felt relaxed and safe at Merry Muddles. She also trimmed his beak and claws within the service which was a great extra touch. We will definitely use Merry Muddles again!

From Carly Watson on 20/08/2023

Misty had her second stay with Auntie Nicky and she was loving life. Always so happy when I pick her up she never wants to come home, Nicky given Misty a much needed trim and lots of love and veggies definitely the best person to look after your pets and treats every animal like family. I would forever recommend Merry Muddles.

From James Middleton on 20/08/2023

This place is an incredible place for small animals to come on holiday! Our two guinea pigs came to stay and Nikki is genuinely an amazing host. She sent loads of updates for my son, and they even had a wash, cut and nail trim before they came home. Great set up and genuinely a lovely, caring and kind lady who loves animals! Thank you so much! 😍😍😍

From Holly on 19/08/2023

Just wanted to say a huge 'thank you' for the wonderful care shown towards our mice Dot and Honey! So lovely to be away and to know that they are being looked after so well. I would highly recommend Merry Muddles. Amy, james, Hazel and Jacob

From Amy on 19/08/2023

I cant recommend Merry Muddles enough. Such a lovely owner who really loves her job. She took care of our Two guinea pigs and Two tortoises. Very efficient and we had the piggies trimmed and the tortoises health checked. Will definately going back. Thank you Nicky x

From Rachel Saunders on 18/08/2023

Nicky at Merry Muddles was excellent when we boarded our rabbit with her for a week in August 2023. She looked after him very well and sent us pictures throughout his stay. She was also able to help when we needed to extend his stay for an extra two days. We would recommend her service to any rabbit family needing a home from home.

From Angie on 17/08/2023

Merry Muddles looked after my giant Continental Rabbit wonderfully. She was relaxed and happy- I could see in the photos and she seemed to enjoy herself with Nicky - she loves cuddles and strokes and had plenty of this while with Nicky.

From Claire Berry on 13/08/2023

I recently boarded my two bunnies at merry muddles and Nicky did a fantastic job of looking after them, giving their nails a much needed trim (something I'm not so keen on doing myself) and a good groom, she also tried to stick to their routine as much as possible as it was their first stay away from home, knowing they were so well cared for gave me one less thing to worry about and enjoy my holiday, highly recommend and will be rebooking for my next trip away. 😁

From Laura on 13/08/2023

Very nice and friendly lady. She takes care of small pets with love and passion. Lucky we found you. Thank you again.❤️

From Jaroslaw Wieczorek on 13/08/2023

Nicky at Merry Muddles is absolutely wonderful and you can go away and relax knowing that your pets are in the safest of hands. We left our 2 rescue Guinea pigs with Nicky for 7 nights and she tended to their every need and kept me fully updated on how they were and how she was taking care of them. I could not recommend Merry Muddles more and I will certainly be using Nicky again.

From Matthews on 01/08/2023

From the moment I met Nicky I knew our gorgeous bunny would be in safe hands! So warm and reassuring, it was obvious she'd be the same with the animals! Thank you so much Nicky for taking such great care of this important member of our family- she is looking forward to her next stay!

From Emma Strong on 19/07/2023

Amazing , friendly , professional service , we are so glad we found merry muddles would never go anywhere else now ! ❤️🥰👏 coco was so happy and relaxed bless her Thankyou merry muddles ! 😀👏

From Joe on 16/07/2023

So Happy. Incredible service. My two guinea pigs stayed with Nicky for a week and they were so well looked after. Very organised, clean, secure, and loved boarding accommodation. 100% recommend.

From Eleanor Mitchell on 29/06/2023

We absolutely love taking our bunny Chester to Merry Muddles, Nicky is just amazing and I honestly couldn't feel luckier to have found her. I was so nervous taking Chester to boarding for the first time but he literally hopped out of his holder, straight round the house and just settled immediately. The regular photos and videos Nicky sends just made our trip away even better because I could completely relax after seeing what a great time he was having. We also really appreciate the health checks Nicky offers. We'd only had Chester a few months before his first visit to her and she made us aware of a few things she'd noticed in his behaviour, (you don't get that on a quick visit at the vets), so it really helped us understand his needs and know we're doing the right things now. I've also gone to her asking for advice and she really goes out of her way to answer and help. Basically I'd be surprised if you could ever find a boarding as great as Merry Muddles. We love that Chester is having a holiday whilst we are and it's just the loviest thing being able to go away knowing he's being so well cared for and having a great time. Thank you Nicky!

From Maddison Johnson on 19/06/2023

We are so happy to have found Nicky! Our rabbit Roy stayed with her for a week and came back to us very chilled and with a new manicure! She took such great care to make him feel at home, and kept us regularly updated. Highly recommend, you can leave your pet with her with confidence.

From Claire on 17/06/2023

Nicky was amazing, I left my rabbit with her for a week & every other day she sent me pics & updated me on how she was getting on & what she was doing! From day one when I met Nicky I knew my bunny fudge was in safe hands,I honestly can't thank her enough. We are definitely booking fudge in again xx

From Cathryn drew on 11/05/2023

My boys were so well looked after by Nicky and came home very happy and healthy. I will use Merry muddles for all future stays 😀

From Jessica on 08/05/2023

Misty absolutely loved her stay with her auntie Nicky. Nicky was absolutely amazing really looked after Misty sent loads of photos and videos and was really caring and attentive gives the best advice and is such a warm welcoming person. I would use Merry Muddles for all of my bunnies holidays in the future. She also had a lovely birthday and was very spoiled. 🥰🥰🥰🥰 🐇🐇🐇🐇

From James Middleton on 15/04/2023

My rabbit Herbie has been groomed and stayed at Merry Muddles on separate occasions. Nicky is brilliant with Herbie. He's deaf and needs special attention and Nicky was excellent at providing this. She is very knowledgeable about small animals and I would highly recommend her, thank you Nicky.

From Ms D on 02/04/2023

Merry Muddles is the best place to board your pet. Look no further. It is a calm and restful place filled with activities to keep your pet occupied. Her client care is second to none and Nicky will go above and beyond to ensure all your requirements are met from diet to boarding enviroment, routine and toys. Every detail is taken in to account. She keeps owners involved at every step so you know what your pet is up to. I will be using Merry Muddles again and I suggest you do to. Merry Muddles is the new standard of how boarding should be.

From Annie on 24/02/2023

I'm so pleased I found Merry Muddles and Nicky. She looked after my Guinea pig for 5 days and when I dropped him off I instantly knew he was going to be very well looked after and that the lovely Nicky is extremely caring and knowledgable when it comes to Guinea pigs. She sent me photos and updates about what he had been doing each day and when I went to collect him, with my permission, she had given him a bath and trimmed his very long and unruly coat so he looked amazing. I wouldn't hesitate to recommend Merry Muddles and I will certainly be contacting Nicky when we book another holiday.

From Linda Lugg on 23/02/2023

What can I say, soo glad to have found Merry Muddles. I am new to the area and previously had a sitter who I had trusted for a few years. I was worried having to find someone new, especially as it was very short notice. Nicky and Merry Muddles are amazing. Nicky obviously has such a passion and love for guinea pigs and her knowledge is second to none. I felt soo confident leaving mine with her. When I collected, Nicky had given him a bath, cut his nails and given him a health check. She was really kind to give me some advice on feed to help stop his constipation and some general care advice I wasn't aware of. I have booked in already for the summer, so pleased to have found Merry Muddles would recommend to anyone.

From Simon Proctor on 22/02/2023

Nicky offers great advice, and is very knowledable in Guinea Pig care.

From Lisa on 26/01/2023

Nicky (Merry Muddles) is simply the best of the best when it comes to caring and lodging for small animals. Her facilities are secure with a wide selection of pens and a huge outdoor area for them to play in. She caters for each animal individually with sensitivity and patience. Her knowledge on guinea pigs is quite extraordinary, she managed to bond our piggys and get to the root of a fur problem and treat it after endless trips to the vets. I honestly couldn't recommend this Merry Muddles enough. You won't find a better, experienced and commited service anywhere. And we've tried many!!!

From Michael Cox on 23/09/2022

I couldn't recommend Nicky more, she did a wonderful job taking care of our house rabbit and went above and beyond to ensure his needs were met, including matching his routine from home, allowing him lots of roaming time and attention and even weighing him regularly to ensure his weight stayed regular, as he is prone to weight loss when we are not around. We received regular updates and lovely videos from Nicky which was great, and our rabbit came home incredibly confident and relaxed. Nicky is amazing with animals and even managed to get our rabbit used to being lifted, which we had never managed at home before. Super grateful to Nicky and we will definitely be back!

From Chiara on 22/08/2022

My piggies had a lovely long weekend at merry muddles! It was a very hot week so it was really nice to leave them with someone who I could be confident was going to keep them really happy and safe and cool. it was clear straight away when we arrived that they were happy and calm with Nicky. It was very good value and Nicky did their nails for me, administered the medication to a very reluctant piggy and gave me lots of helpful advice about their health too. Thanks so much!

From Laura on 16/08/2022

Where do I begin with Merry Muddles?! My guinea pigs lodged here for a week whilst we went on holiday and Nicky was just incredible with them. Not only had she given them a head to toe wash, dry and professional groom but they were no longer scared of getting there nails clipped and she had stopped the fighting between my two boys. They were also so much better to handle, without running away. She also gave us weekly daily pictures and videos of them which my children enjoyed. Merry Muddles is such a calm and relaxing place to send your piggies and Nicky is literally a guinea pig whisperer. They are definately going there again, maybe she could take me in too!

From Sarah Marshall on 24/06/2022