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huge selection of cages, carriers, treats and toys along with some very
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| Animal Welfare News |
450,000 obese rabbits on the run (5th April 2008)
An estimated 450,000 pet rabbits in the UK are obese - a shocking figure that represents 30% of the total rabbit population in the UK. More...
Missing cat called Spooky from Kent (28th March 2008)
Spooky was last seen on the 24th March (Easter Monday) in the GREAT THRIFT
area of Petts Wood.
More...
Are your pets members of your family? (25th March 2008)
Do you think of your pets as family members? Is your cat or dog a replacement for the children that have now flown the nest? New research from the University of Warwick suggests what we've always suspected, that pets are sometimes more like family than our own kin. More...
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Rat
Rescue :: Finding
a holiday home for your pet
Finding a holiday home for your pet
If you have small pets, you need to consider who will
look after them while you are away. While there are many catteries
and boarding kennels, holiday homes for guinea pigs, rabbits
and rats etc are less widely promoted.
Here we suggest how to ensure your pet has a good holiday
while you are away on yours!
If you are going away for longer than one night, no matter
how much food or water you put in your animal's cage, it is
too long to leave them unchecked.
Finding small pet boarding in your area should not be too difficult
- check the advertisement board at your vets; local pet shops;
the Yellow Pages and, ask friends and neighbours.
Once you have a shortlist, you can then check out the premises
yourself and make a reasoned decision based on:
-
Facilities - where will your pet be housed?
If your guinea pigs live indoors for example, you will need
to find an establishment that will keep your piggies indoors
too
-
Visit it first to see the condition of existing
animals - are they all well cared for and healthy looking?
Are their food bowls and water bottles clean?
-
Always go on your first impressions - everything,
including the grounds as well as the small animal boarding,
should look clean and tidy
-
Check out what sort of bedding will be used
- if it is not the same as what your pet is used to, either
provide your own bedding or request that your pet's cage/hutch
is lined with the same product that you use
-
There should be no smell and little noise and
the staff should make you feel welcome
-
Find out how knowledgeable the staff are on
small animal healthcare – do you trust them to look after
your pet? Ask them what vet they would use should there be
a medical emergency
-
Will your pet get a chance to run around?
-
If possible, see how other resident small pets
are handled. For instance, if the properietor will not handle
your pet rat for two weeks if he or she is scared of it, then
it is not the right place to board your rat!!
Things to remember when booking your small pet boarding:
-
Book as early as you can - particularly during
peak periods - because a good establishment will quickly be
filled. If you don’t have firm dates, you can still pencil
in a booking. You can finalise the dates as soon as you have
flight details
-
A good proprietor will ask for lots of information
about your pet - its name, age, sex and breed; any special
markings; etc. If your pet is on medication or has special
dietary requirements, make sure you advise them at the time
of booking, as there may be an additional charge.
-
They will also need to know your pet's medical
history, and the name and number of your regular vet as it
may be necessary for them to contact your own practitioner
in an emergency.
-
You will need to leave a contact name and telephone
number of a friend or relative who will be able to make decisions
in your absence
-
If your pet is elderly or ailing, it is wise
to discuss what you would like the proprietor to do in the
unhappy event of your pet dying while you are away
-
For rabbits, make sure all his/her vaccinations
are up-to-date. A good establishment will not accept a rabbit
where the owner cannot supply proof of vaccination.
What to pack for your pet
-
Vaccination record (if applicable)
-
A favourite toy or toys (or gnaw stick!)
-
Medication, where necessary, and any special
formulation food
-
Bedding if necessary
On Arrival
Double check all the information the establishment has on
your pet - eg medication, vets details etc - and reaffirm the
date of your return and estimated time of collection.
You may be asked to leave a (refundable) cash deposit. This
is common practice for small animal boarding as, sadly, many
owners do not collect their pets once they come back from their
holiday.
Should your return be delayed, do inform
the establishment as soon as possible.
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