TERMS & CONDITIONS

We want to provide a comfortable, safe and caring environment for your pets during their stay with us. To make this possible we have conditions in place for the comfort of all our guests & also that our business runs smoothly.


1. BOOKINGS


1.1 PRICE
The flat rate fee (for a suite) is for 1 rabbit or 2 bonded rabbits (or 3 Netherland dwarf breed rabbits.
You pay for each day. A full day is charged for the first day (Drop Off Day) and for last day The days your pets go home.


1.2 MINIMUM LENGTH OF STAY
Our minimum stay is 4 days (1, 2 or 3 nights) with a fixed price of £52. 


1.3 NEW CUSTOMERS
Suites are held for 48 hours for you to send us your vet form and vaccination certificates.


1.4 DEPOSITS
A 50% deposit is required for bookings over 21 days and Christmas time.

A £52 deposit/booking fee (to cover the first 4 days of your booking) is required if you have cancelled in the past.

Deposits are non-refundable & non-transferable to future dates.


1.5 CHANGES TO BOOKINGS

Changes must be made at least 14 days before the arrival date - once your invoice has been sent we can not the change dates or amount payable.


1.6 PAYMENTS

Payments must be received no later than 12 noon - the DAY BEFORE you drop your pets off.


1.7 CANCELLATIONS

If you have to cancel or change your booking let us know as soon as possible.

To cancel your booking click the link on your booking confirmation email or click here.

We only accept cancellations via the official form.


1.8 CANCELLATION FEES

If you cancel your booking:
• Before your invoice has been sent - there will be no charge.
• After you receive your invoice - then there will be a £25 administration fee.
• 14 days (2 weeks) or less before your pets arrival date - then the full amount is still due.


The administration fee covers the time we spend processing your booking (Which includes checking vaccination certificates, updating vaccination dates and the administration involved for cancelling & reissuing your invoice). After 60 days any SumUp invoices that have not been paid will be referred to our insurance companies Legal Team’ who will pass on your debt on to a debt recovery company.


1.9 IF WE CANCEL YOUR BOOKING: 

Due to unforseen circustances on our part - you will be refunded in full.

Due to something that goes against our T&C’s - then any monies paid will not be refunded.


1.10 UNUSED DAYS

If your pets arrive a day or so late, are collected earlier than the date booked or whilst hospitalised - the unused days are non-refundable.


1.11 ARRIVALS & DEPARTURES

Dropping off and collecting your pets is by appointment only.

We are closed for Drop-offs on Bank Holidays.


1.12 PET CARRIERS

Bring your rabbits in a secure PLASTIC carrier, so it can be disinfected before being stored away. 

£15 will be charged if we have to use our own pet carrier for your pet.


2. ACCEPTANCE OF ANIMALS


2.1 HEALTH CHECKS

Pets arriving to board are health checked and we check animals on a daily basis while they are in our care.


2.2 VACCINATIONS

Guests must be vaccinated for Myxomatosis, RVHD1 & RVHD2. 

First time vaccinations (and overdue boosters) must have been completed at least 21 days before boarding.


2.3 NEUTERED & SPAYED

Pets must be neutered/spayed.

Unspayed females of around 6 months may board initially at our discretion.

Males must be neutered 6 weeks before boarding.


2.4 HEALTH

We reserve the right to refuse boarding if pets are sick/infirm/suspected of having anything infectious.

If, after booking, your pet develops a medical issue/sees a vet for any treatment (other that vaccinations) please send us an email with full details so a decision can be made on boarding them.

Failure to do this may result in a refusal to board. Any monies paid will not be refunded.

We don't accept pets which are undergoing medical treatment. We may accept elderly/disabled pets needing medication to maintain their quality of life.

We need to know the full facts about any illness and may ask for a ‘Fit to Board’ note from your vet.


2.5 DIRTY BOTTOMS

We will not admit pets for boarding who have dirty, matted bottoms.

It is the owners duty to check their pets BEFORE bring into boarding.

If a pet is incontinent they must be showing no evidence of urine scald.

If your pet arrives with a 'dirty bottom' then boarding will be refused and any boarding fees paid will not be refunded.


We will check your rabbits bottom on arrival to make sure they have:

  • No matts

  • No sore skin/urine scald

  • No dried poop on their belly, bottom or tail

  • No sticky cecals stuck to their bottom area

  • No fur on their bottom or feet that is ‘clogged’ with dried urine.

  • Urine soaked fur/underbelly/tail/bottoms - Please line carriers with absorbent paper, puppy pads or towels in case of ‘accidents’ whilst traveling - this is for your pets comfort.


2.6 PARASITES

We can not board pets who have mites or fleas.


2.7 PET INSURANCE

Due to increased Out Of Hours (OOH) veterinary care costs we now insist that rabbits boarding with us have pet insurance in place.


3. GENERAL


3.1 FOOD ITEMS
We ask that you bring your own dried pellets and packaged treats to avoid upset tummies. 


3.2 NEW PARTNERS

Let us know if your rabbit gets a new partner that will also be coming to board..

Rabbits must have been bonded for at least 3 months (with no issues) before boarding.


3.2a

We can not board rabbits who are on 'foster to adopt' from a rescue. (added 13th April 2024)


3.3 NON-COLLECTION

If pets are not collected at the agreed day/time (without good explanation) and your emergency contacts don't respond or collect your pets for you - we will no longer continue to house them and after 14 days a rehoming centre place will be found for them. Our standard boarding fees apply to any days pets stay in our care after their collection date has passed.


3.4 MEDICATION WHILE BOARDING

If your pet requires medication then you must fill in our Medication Disclaimer Form and list the medication that needs to be given. Download here.


3.5 HEALTH & MEDICAL TREATMENT WHILE BOARDING

An appointment will be made and pets will be examined by a vet. Treatment, which cannot reasonably wait until your return, will be discussed with you on the phone and a plan agreed.

Where an illness occurs that, the vets thinks, could or should wait until you get home, then only supporting treatment will be given. In either case your pet may be admitted for 24/7 care. Vet fees must be settled in full by you before we can collect your pet to continue boarding or they are discharged back into your care.

If your pet becomes sick and sees the vet (for a condition that they have previously been treated for and that you have not told us about) then your current boarding will be terminated immediately - your pet will stay at the vets until you return home. Any unused boarding fees will not be refunded and the vets medical and boarding fees will need to be paid by you.


3.6 VETS FEES, ADMINISTERING MEDICATION AND SO ON

We charge £15.00 per hour (pro-rata) to take your pet to see a vet. This starts from the time we leave to the time we get back.

Vet fees must be paid in full (by you) after the consultation or when your pet is discharged back into our care.

Each medication to be administered is 50 pence per application.



3.7 FALLING OUT & FIGHTING

Pets who fall out or fight will be separated and will spend the rest of their holiday side byin separate suites or side by side in our indoor split mixing pens. You will have to pay the extra costs for the additional suite or pen.


3.8 GUT STASIS

We do not offer self medication or syringe feeding for guests who have suspected gut stasis (stopped eating). If your rabbit stops eating we reserve the right to take your pets to Ashleigh Veterinary Centre (Chorlton). We have a business arrangement with Ashleigh Vets and they will admit guests for 24/7 nursing care/medication/monitoring. The vets need to check an anorexic pet before syringe feeding can begin.

Your pet may be transferred to an out-of-hours animal hospital if Ashleigh Vets have no overnight veterinary cover. One overnight stay in an Out Of Hours (OOH) animal hospital can be £500 or more.

Vet fees must be paid in full by you before we can continue boarding or they are taken home by you.


3.9 PASSING AWAY

Boarding away from home can be quite stressful for some rabbits and occasionally an elderly or unhealthy pet may pass away - despite receiving veterinary treatment. If this happens we will do all we can to contact you immediately.


3.10 ANIMAL WELFARE ACT

We (as carers), You (as the owners), our vets & your vets are bound by the Animal Welfare Act 2006, Section 9, (2), (e) in regards to animals being protected from pain, suffering, injury and disease.


3.11 IMPORTANT CONDITIONS WITH NO EXCEPTION

  1. We can not board any pet within 21 days of a general anaesthetic and 7 days for a sedation.

  2. Only pets from one household (and bonded) can be housed together.

  3. We can't board rabbits with a history of pasteurella (Snuffles).

  4. Rabbits who have been diagnosed with ecuniculi need to take a 9 day course of panacur before boarding.

  5. We do not board Male/Male bonded pairs.

  6. All bonded pairs must be neutered/spayed & have been living together (with no issues) for at least 3 months.

  7. We can not board giant rabbits, giant cross-breeds or larger sized rabbits (>4kg).


3.12 ACCEPTANCE OF TERMS & CONDITIONS

By ticking the box on our booking form you (the pet owner) will be deemed to have accepted our Terms & Conditions.

We reserve the right reject or cancel bookings that infringe our T&C’s.


3.13 DATA PROTECTION

We need to communicate with you to go ahead with your bookings and will use your personal information in line with our privacy policy.


3.14 UNPAID INVOICES

Any unpaid invoices will be passed onto the legal team at our business insurance, who will forward the debt onto a debt collection agency.


3.15 LIABILITY
Small pet boarding establishments do not need a licence. Illness, injury, disease, mite infestation (as hay/straw are natural products) death & theft of pets are the owners responsibility & the Garden Lodge Bunny Retreat is released of all liability. The Garden Lodge Bunny Retreat is released of all liability for any accident or injury to owners (or persons accompanying them) whilst on our premises.

We may change our T&Cs from time to time, so it is the pet owners responsibility to check them before making a booking.


Debit & Credit Card payments to reimburse us for anything we have paid on your behalf.
1.69% transaction fee if paid on a card when you collect your pets
1.5% fee if paid via a payment link before you collect your pets


Sept 2023 

April 2024 Condensed & numbered for clarity (point 3.2a added) 

All photographs. are © 2024 Amanda J Window /Garden Lodge Bunny Retreat.  If you would rather not see your pets on our website then please let us know.