Faq's

How do I book my pet’s holiday?

I recommend that everyone book via the booking request form on my website www.bunnyboarding.ie/book-online. This form will give me all the information I need to take the best care of your rabbits while they stay with me. If you are unable to use this form, please contact me directly on +353894485149.

Can I visit the retreat for a tour before booking?

Although most people are happy to visit while dropping off their rabbits for the first time, I will of course accommodate a visit to the retreat prior to your holiday to put your mind at ease. Before this can be accommodated, I would need you to have filled out a booking request at www.bunnyboarding.ie/book-online beforehand.

My rabbit is not vaccinated, can they stay at the retreat?

Again, the answer here is no. Your rabbit will need to be vaccinated against Myxomatosis and RVHD 1 & 2 to ensure these are not contracted or spread while boarding. The RVHD2 virus can be spread through the wind, bugs, birds, hay and on our clothing, there are no symptoms with this virus so rabbits will suddenly pass away and any other unvaccinated rabbits nearby will also become infected. Please provide a clear photo of your rabbit’s vaccination card via WhatsApp or email after your booking is confirmed and before your drop off date. Vaccinations should be completed at least two weeks before boarding.

My rabbit is not neutered, can they stay at the retreat?

Yes, unneutered rabbits can stay once they are staying in their own space and not with another unneutered rabbit. I highly recommend neutering your rabbit as soon as they reach sexual maturity, which gives them a more peaceful stay with us as well as a happier life. Neutering will avoid unwanted behaviours like nesting, mounting, spraying, frustration, chewing, chasing, aggression and fighting. Unneutered rabbits often display many of the above when they smell and see new rabbits in the retreat. I will however ensure that they will not mate by keeping any unneutered rabbits separate at all times.

How should I transport my pet?

I recommend you purchase a sturdy pet carrier for your rabbit. This should be big enough to allow them to turn around in. I do not recommend cloth carriers as your rabbit will try and chew through the material. No matter the carrier, please line the bottom of it with a blanket as rabbits are prone to ‘splay’, a condition in which 1 or more legs extend sideways from the body at an abnormal angle caused when cannot get a grip of the bottom of the carrier while being transported. 

I will label and store this carrier while your rabbit is with me. In some cases, I may need this to transport your rabbit to the vet or it may need to be used as a hidey in their space if they are a nervous guest.

Do you have strict drop off and collection times?

Yes, I do agree drop off and collection times with all clients when confirming your booking. It is vital that these times are adhered to as I have other bookings before and after these scheduled times. Ideally these slots will be around 15 minutes. If there is an issue with your time slot, please let me know as far in advance as possible so I can advise what time would be suitable instead.

What do I need to bring?

• Please bring enough of your pets dried pellet food in an appropriate container. This makes it easier for me to label and store the correct food for your rabbit. If your rabbit is not currently eating a dried pellet food, I will recommend one to supplement their diet and keep them healthy.

• You can bring a blanket, toys and any treats you wish for your rabbit. I find that if they are not heavily soiled, then you can bring them without washing so your rabbit feels more at home while in the retreat. Storage space is limited here at the retreat so please bear this in mind when your packing your rabbits suitcase.

• If you have not already supplied your rabbit’s proof of vaccination, I will need to see this at this point and keep a copy on file.

What needs to happen when I drop off my rabbit?

When you arrive at your scheduled time, I will be happy to take you through to the retreat and show you where your rabbit is staying. Ideally you will be alone as there will be other rabbits in the retreat who may get frightened when strangers, especially children, enter this quiet space. I will have already prepared your rabbit’s area before arriving, but I will at this point add any blankets or toys that you provide. Your rabbit will then be left for a couple of hours to settle in and enjoy the peace that the retreat offers.

When your rabbit has settled and eaten some food, I will give them a short check-up. This is so I know that they are healthy enough for their stay. Please make sure that any health issues are explained prior to you leaving. All grooming and nail clipping should also be up to date unless you have booked a service with me.

What else do you offer during the stay?

As well as the boarding, I offer a number of food items as part of the cost. I offer unlimited timothy hay while your rabbit is staying with me. I find that this is more universally accepted by rabbits and as I am offering a retreat experience, nothing but the best will do. I also supplement this with daily fresh vegetables and herbs as well as an occasional piece of fruit.

I also have a couple of chargeable extras that you can avail of while your bun is with me;

• Nail clipping: This is €10 per rabbit while boarding, a 33% reduction on standard pricing.

• Grooming: This is €15 per small/medium rabbit while boarding or €20 per large rabbit. This is a 25% reduction on standard prices.

• Gland cleaning: This is €25 per rabbit – it is a nasty job that nobody wants to do but I am happy to help you out with this.

• Vet visits: I will attend a regular vet visit for your rabbit for €10 per visit once it’s within the Dublin area.

What exercise will my rabbit get?

All guests go out every day once the weather allows. I aim for as long as possible, 3 or 4 hours at least in a supervised secure pen. Although my garden is 100% secure with all possible escape routes checked regularly, I prefer to keep everyone extra safe in their individual pens.

If the weather is too wet, hot or another extreme, I will make sure that your rabbit gets plenty of indoor exercise in the retreat. I feel that the longer they get out of their enclosure daily, the happier they are. I also enjoy their company while I do my work.

Do you allow my rabbit to play with the other bunnies?

The short answer is no. The reason for this is that these rabbits come from different households and backgrounds, so it is safer for them to remain separate. Stranger rabbits can fight or transmit infections to each other if kept in close contact, or even worse – they can pick up bad habits from each other (there’s nothing worse than breaking a litter trained rabbit’s good habits). I much prefer to return the rabbits to their owners in the condition they came in so they will just have to make friends securely across the room.

Can my rabbit roam freely during their stay? 

Unfortunately, I cannot offer a 100% free roam option as my space is limited. The retreat was built to be a secure and comfortable space, but I still need to ensure the safety of each rabbit from other boarders. While we all love our balls of fluff, nature does dictate certain behaviours that may cause fighting over territory which isn’t safe for them. I do however find that even the most free roam bun prefers a secure dedicated space while they are with us, where they feel safe and happy.

Is it warm enough in the retreat for my rabbit?

The retreat is insulated in its build as well as internally insulated, so it is nice and warm. It serves as my office so generally during the day I am present to experience the temperature and I have a heater for those colder days. (I even have a timer on the heater to regulate the temperature overnight which the retreat holds surprisingly well). During the hotter days, if the rabbits are not outside, there is enough ventilation to keep the temperature cooler. In the even of heat waves, I do like to give my guest cold treats and a nice cold-water bottle to sit beside.

Will you update me on how my rabbit is doing?

Yes, that is no problem. I want my clients to feel assured that they have made the right choice leaving their rabbits with me so I will give as many updates as I can. Usually, the first update will be after a couple of days as it will take that time for your rabbit to learn to trust me and for me to capture the best picture to send. (it’s not easy getting rabbits to say cheese!) If I am busy that day and can’t respond immediately, please don’t worry – I will respond as soon as possible.

Please note: my operating hours are 8am to 8pm so you usually won’t receive a response outside of these times.

Do you board other animals?