Bunny Boarding

[Tessie]

 So I’m preparing for my new bun!  

I am facing a problem that I go to my parents house for a couple of weeks over Christmas, and they say he can’t stay at theirs! 

Im working on persuading them, but if I can’t I need to think about my options.

1)They may be open to keeping him in the garage. I live in England so it may get cold? Would it be possible to keep him in the garage? How can I keep him warm and comfortable? 

2) The other option would be boarding him somewhere. I have found somewhere close by that boards rabbits and I have asked about what size enclosure he would be in, etc. So, has anyone else boarded their rabbit somewhere? And what other questions should I ask to ensure my bun will be well looked after? And also, would my rabbit be okay being away from me for two weeks? 

Thanks for all the help guys! 

[bpash89]

I just got back from vacation and I left my little girl at home with a house sitter. It was cheaper than boarding her somewhere, she got to stay where she was already comfortable so it was less of a shock for her and I lucked out with the house sitter since she was like having my grandma stay: fixing random things around the house and leaving food in the fridge for me. For me that was really the best option and the next time I go somewhere I will do the same. So that is an option you could look into before you decide. The most important thing for me is to just find someone you trust. Regardless of what option you end up going with, find someone you are comfortable leaving your bunny with.

I know some people board their bunnies at their vets office so that is an option you could look into as well. That way you know they are in good hands. While 2 weeks will feel like a long time being away from your precious little fuzzy pants, it’s not really that bad.

I would ask about the size of the enclosure, if and how long your bunny will be let out to stretch his/her legs, how often are they checked on (is there someone there at night) and things like food (my bunny eats a lot of veggies so I had to ask my house sitter to go grocery shopping for her while I was away since they greens don’t keep so well) as well as general bunny know-how to make sure the person in charge of her would be able to recognize any problems in the chance that she got sick.

Good luck, hope it all works out for you.

[manic_muncher]

In addition to looking at a kennel/vet to board with, don’t forget to ask if they have a dedicated “quiet” room. Most kennels/vets board cats and dogs too. I worked at a vet hospital and sometimes we would have as many as 125 dogs and 30 cats. Needless to say, it was extremely loud. They did have a few cages in the xray room as backup, and as far as their “quiet” room, it was most often for surgery patients waking up. But even in that ward, you’d get sharp barks from a dog that has fully awakened, and -rarely- was the dog moved to the main ward afterwards.

I agree with bpash, if at all possible, you may really want to consider a sitter. Good luck!

[Muffinluv]

I’d say getting a sitter is a good choice, with boarding not only are they without you they are somewhere weird and hostile (Their point of view, noisy, smells like preadators)
But you should write down VERY DETAILED INSTRUCTIONS FOR THE PETSITTER, and make sure you trust them, If they just nodd and “MM HUM” you then they probably aren’t paying much attention, and aren’t being serious,

Make sure you meet them IN PERSON and don’t schedule over the phone if you choose a proffesional over a local pettsitter.

Tell them the Buns Schedule, how to prepare Veggies, how much and when to give pellets and what to do in case of an emergency (Sudden Sickness)

Here is A pet sitting guide from BB https://binkybunny.com/BUNNYINFO/tabid/53/CategoryID/24/PID/940/Default.aspx

@bpash89 Haha, i’m petsitting and I just noticed without really trying, I cleaned the persons living room, organized and swept both boot-rooms, patched up a fly screen and replaced a light bulb. Mostly because it all these things were bugging me and I might have slight OCD… I think I have to do the bathroom next 0_0

[PimmsWarren]

Posted By Muffinluv on 08/23/2013 01:20 PM

@bpash89 Haha, i’m petsitting and I just noticed without really trying, I cleaned the persons living room, organized and swept both boot-rooms, patched up a fly screen and replaced a light bulb. Mostly because it all these things were bugging me and I might have slight OCD… I think I have to do the bathroom next 0_0

Can I hire YOU!  

[Tessie]

Okay, thanks for all the helpful ideas, guys! What do we think about the garage then?

[manic_muncher]

We used to put a droplight (like mechanics use to hang under the hood of a car) in our outdoor dog’s house with a low wattage bulb in it. I’ve also seen people install permanent fixtures to the inside corner of chicken coops. They have them with wire cages around them, or you could construct a frame to go around one and put hardware cloth (rat wire) on it to prevent any chewing or having them touch the lightbulb. Your bunny may be fine without any of that with extra hay or straw for bedding. I guess it just depends how cold it really is inside the garage. If possible you might want to try placing his enclosure against the wall closest to the inside of the house.

[bpash89]

Well would you parents allow him in the house some of the time or do they expect him to stay in the garage 24/7? Even though England in December is going to be cooooooold bunnies handle cold much better than heat and since it will be indoors wind won’t be a factor so I think the garage is doable but not ideal. If it were me, I would be more comfortable if he had a heat lamp of some sort but at the very least a box filled with hay for him to snuggle in and keep warm.

[LongEaredLions]

I think it really is best if you leave him at home. He is accustomed to being indoors and going suddenly to where it is very cold may stress him out tremendously, or even send him into shock.

[Beka27]

Ouch. That’s kind of cold… 🙁

I agree with the advice already offered, but I also think I would tell my parents that I will be cutting my visit short… Maybe 3-4 days instead of 2 weeks. When they ask why, explain that you don’t want to leave him for that long. That might help convince them that he is really important to you.

[manic_muncher]

That’s a great idea Beka… I pulled that stunt with my parents when I reunited with a childhood boyfriend who my parents wanted to kill (he was too old), and my dad was livid when he heard we were seeing each other again. “He will never step a foot in my house!” So, I married him… Thanksgiving dinner was slightly awkward.

[Tessie]

Haha, thanks of all the great advice everyone, I’ll let you know what I decide!

[Author]

Messages