***Due to space considerations, rabbits are no longer accepted for boarding. (I like them, but I can no longer accommodate exercise pens in my space.) Rabbits will be pet visits only in the client’s home – see page on cat visits for an idea on pet visit routines.***

I can either visit Guinea pigs in the comfort of their own home  (see cat visits for pet visit services), or board them in mine.

For ultimate convenience, Guinea pig boarding is all-inclusive. Limited availability to ensure a high quality of service. Maximum two Guinea pigs per cage (must be bonded pair). Cage and accessories are cleaned and disinfected after each client.

All necessities are provided for a daily fee. Choice of high-quality fleece bedding or paper bedding. Optional upgrade to organic/locally-sourced vegetable selection. Optional supplementary charge for young Guinea pig food and/or alfalfa hay. The client should not bring any other items for their Guinea pigs, except for pet carrier and medication if needed.

Boarders will enjoy attentive care by a highly qualified professional, a family environment in a quiet neighbourhood, renovated clean interior, indirect natural light, and pleasant temperatures in a non-smoking home.

For drop off and pick up, the meetings are scheduled in advance with a 20-minute time window and clients will be met outside. I will bring in pet(s) myself. Human clients are not allowed inside.

All-Inclusive Guinea Pig Boarding

(“Wheek-Zoom-tastic”): Boarders are tended to in the morning and evening. Includes:

• Housing in a MidWest Guinea Pig Habitat (limit 2 Guinea pigs per cage)
• Choice of either fleece cage lining (random selection of GuineaDad, HoneyBeeLane, Mischief Stitches, and other high-quality fleece liners) or paper bedding
• Unlimited Oxbow Adult Guinea Pig Food (extra fee for Oxbow Young Guinea Pig Food and/or alfalfa hay
• Unlmited Oxbow Timothy Hay
• Daily Oxbow vitamin C supplement (optional)
• Regular spot cleaning, fleece changes, and cage cleaning
• Twice daily filtered fresh water
• Twice daily fresh vegetables for a total of about 1 cup per Guinea pig (optional upgrade to organic/locally-sourced selection)
• Chewable toys and treats like apple tree sticks
• Supervised cage-free cuddle time
• Weighing
• Nail trimming (depending on temperament)
• Daily reports with pictures via email, WhatsApp, or text

Extra services (see Fees):

• Round-trip guinea pig transportation for boarding
• Upgrade to organic/locally-sourced daily fresh vegetables
• Supplemental “young Guinea pig fee” for Oxbow Young Guinea Pig Food and/or alfalfa hay
• Concierge service
• Bath upon arrival

Round-trip Guinea pig transportation

I pick up your guinea pig(s) drive them directly to my home for boarding. When their reservation is completed, I deliver the guinea pig(s) back to the owner. Available for those within my service area.

Upgrade to organic/locally-sourced fresh produce

For the discerning Guinea pig. Fresh vegetables and fruit which are either locally sourced, are organic, or have been sourced from organic food stores. Fresh produce is offered once or twice per day, for a total of about 1 cup of vegetables/fruit per day per guinea pig.

Pet sitting clients (but not boarding clients) are welcome to supply their own produce (up to 5 days at a time, starting on the first day of service), however when that supply runs out or becomes unusable, a fresh produce fee will be applied per day. Uneaten produce is removed within 24 hours. Boarding clients should not bring any vegetables or fruit with them – I do not have the capacity to store client produce.

I follow Guinea Lynx’s guidelines for guinea pig vegetable guidelines, and the Binky Bunny/House Rabbit Society guidelines for rabbits. I will note your preferences for their diet before we meet and when you drop off your Guinea pigs. Unless otherwise noted by the client, I generally feed my guinea pig/rabbit clients mostly kale, romaine lettuce, and bell pepper, and rotate in smaller quantities: freshly picked grass and clover, broccoli, cauliflower, cucumber, zucchini, napa, parsley, cilantro, basil, dill, carrot, celery, swiss chard, corn husks and silks (Guinea pig-only), Red Delicious apple, watermelon rind, banana, strawberries. An avid cook, I do a lot of my vegetable shopping at the Jean-Talon Market, maintain a community garden plot during the warmer months, and in 2022, I started subscribing to a certified-organic, staff-owned, local farm share basket from La ferme cooperative aux champs qui chantent for organic, locally-sourced herbs and fresh seasonal vegetables and fruit.

**For special requests, like specific produce selections, bottled water, etc., there will be a concierge fee per shopping trip plus the cost of the item(s). Otherwise, the daily produce selection is selected by Cats and Hamsters. The concierge fee will be in place of the daily fresh vegetable fee for pet sitting clients, however the concierge fee would be in addition to the all-inclusive boarding fee for Guinea pigs.

Concierge service

A concierge fee is applied per shopping trip for specially requested items like specific produce choices and bottled water, plus the cost of the required items. While I will do my best to match your preferences, I cannot guarantee brands, stores, or prices.

Bath

I only bathe Guinea pigs in my care if their feet or coats are soaked with pee or matted with poop. It can be stressful for them, and frequent baths can dry out their skin. I spot clean and change substrate frequently to help keep Guinea pig feet and fur clean and dry and healthy, and most health Guinea pigs are able to maintain their coats under those optimal conditions. I currently use Gorgeous Guineas, a specifically formulated conditioning shampoo for Guinea pigs.

Guinea boarding FAQs:

I have a cat and a small child. They all roam freely. This is a family home. My cat is very well-fed and I have never had a cat-related injury to any of my boarders or to my own hamsters. The cat mostly enjoys trying to eat the hay – but this is something to keep in mind, as all animals are unpredictable. No, I do not offer isolated rooms for boarders.

I am an avid home cook and I am an omnivore. I will not become a raw vegetarian during your pet’s stay here.

I will not refrain from vacuuming during your pet’s stay here.

Boarding includes one daily report with pictures. Clients will only receive multiple reports per day if there is an emergency situation that warrants close communication, like a sudden urgent health concern.

Guinea pigs are not allowed free roam time. In my experience, Guinea pigs do not enjoy free roaming in a strange environment, even if they do so in their own home. I tried this at the start of my business… the Guinea pigs didn’t like it. I ended up chasing Guinea pigs and cleaning lots of pee and poop underneath the sofa. Boarders are treated with care as family pets, and they are given lots of cuddle time depending on temperament.