Blackberry Boarding – Small animal boarding in Gloucestershire

Naboo

Sharon and Chris looked after our lovely bunnies Naboo and Poppy for a whole year and we simply cannot fault them!! Because we were leaving the country for such a long time it was really important to us that we left our beloved bunnies in good hands, and we couldn't have found anyone better. They looked after them like they were their own bunnies and showed them all the love and affection that we would have. In terms of medical care, Sharon can spot a poorly bunny before the bunny even gets sick! She is surely psychic! Naboo had a bit of tummy trouble through the stress of the move, but thanks to their speedy attention it was nothing to worry about and Naboo soon settled down. Luckily they have access to excellent bunny vets meaning that if anything does happen while in their care they are in the best hands. It was especially reassuring for us to have regular updates from Sharon and Chris, including regular blog updates, which meant so much as we got to see them even though we were far away. They were very conscientious in letting us know everything that was going on with the bunnies, such as if a new diet regime had been implemented, or if they were having jabs. This sets them apart from other boarders because the level of their care and communication with us went way beyond what we could have expected. They went out of their way to ensure that the bunnies had a similar life to the one they have with us, meaning that a whole room got rearranged! They took extra care to look after them in the way that we asked and even managed to get our chubby lady bunny to lose a bit of weight, which is no easy task! They managed to do this thanks to scatter feeding the rabbits, which shows just how far they will go for the health of the rabbits in their care. Their food routine was excellent, with lots of fresh veg and hay and our bunnies were definitely very satisfied. They were extremely accommodating to both us and the needs of our rabbits and we doubt very much that our time spent abroad would have been as enjoyable if we hadn't known the bunnies were being taken care of so well. We will definitely be using their bunny boarding again. Sharon and Chris are very special. They are kind, generous and bonkers about bunnies. We consider ourselves very lucky to have found them and Naboo and Poppy definitely agree. The bunnies will miss their auntie Sharon and uncle Chris and we feel like we have built up a friendship with them over the last year, but we will see them again soon in the future.

Sean

We've been boarding our bunnies with Chris and Sharon for around 5 years now and wouldn't consider any alternative. We know that when we leave our bunnies in their care they will always be well looked after. Sharon and Chris are extremely knowledgeable but more than that they care a great deal about the animals which for us is so important. Aside from general boarding, Sharon and Chris have also helped us by caring for our bunny Oscar through illness and more recently helped with post operative care for our bunny Moo following major surgery. Moo needed a high level of care which Sharon and Chris were more than able to give to her. Our experiences with Blackberry Boarding have been excellent and we couldn't recommend them highly enough.

Jason

I have treated Sharon Maw’s rabbits and guinea pigs for the last 12 years, along with numerous other pets whose care she has been entrusted with, whilst their owners have been away on holiday. I have a high regard for Sharon’s ability to care for rabbits. She is very sympathetic to the slightest changes in demeanor and behaviour, allowing any illness to be treated early on and therefore a quicker recovery. Her knowledge of rabbits and guinea pigs is extensive and she has a very caring attitude towards them. Having visited to carry out routine vaccinations on several occasions and seen how she cares for the animals, I have great pleasure in endorsing Blackberry Boarding.

Chris & Phoebe Bianchi

Ever wonder why you sign those Forms to say that treatment for your pet can be initiated when you are away, well here’s our story.... Our Netherland Dwarf Rabbit, Minnie, has been to Blackberry Boarding for our annual holidays for quite a few years now. Sharon & Chris have always taken good care of her each time we have left her there. So this holiday was no different when we dropped her off. Unbeknown to us, the same day that we dropped her off, they noticed that she had blood in her urine. As we had gone up to the Lake District where reception for mobile phones is very variable, & being on holiday, I didn’t even look at my text messages for a few days. They had taken her to the vet – suspected urinary tract infection, so had started on antibiotics. However the matter did not improve, but got worse – so by this time we were now aware as Sharon had been texting me all the time & I had phoned so had found out about the situation. To cut a long story short – Minnie needed to have an operation – she had a tumour in her womb. So from dropping off a healthy bunny, to having these tricky conversations from the Lake District, not knowing whether to come home again, not knowing whether to have the rabbit put-down, with the amazing help and support and absolute caring response that we got from both Sharon & Chris, we were able to stay on our holiday, negotiate things over the phone and have Sharon & Chris take care & love Minnie as if she was their rabbit. When we got home Sharon also offered to take care of Minnie for a period so that she could recuperate fully. As we both work full time, this was a good option for us knowing that Minnie was in excellent hands. So a bad situation , but in excellent hands = still being able to have a good holiday & come home to a rabbit that had been through a major operation and was cared for so well. Our gratitude and appreciation for all that Sharon and Chris did to make this happen for us. And what an amazing testimony to their dedication and care of these little creatures that we entrust into their care. Excellent service – and happy to give anyone a reference anytime.

Clare Wilson Jarvis, Oxford

I recommend Blackberry Boarding to anyone who needs a safe and caring home-from-home for their rabbit while they are away. Sharon and Chris are the only people I want to look after our house bunny, Monty, when we are on holiday, as they make every effort to give each rabbit the highest possible standard of care. For me (and Monty), the 2 hour round trip from home is definitely worth making. While he is with Sharon, Monty is able to behave just as he does at home, particularly enjoying his exploration of her lounge and his evening treats and cuddle session! I always feel totally relaxed about leaving him at Blackberry Boarding, knowing that he will have a lovely holiday while I am gone.

Alice Chamberlain, Windwhistle Warren Rabbit & Guinea Pig Rescue, Gloucestershire

Our mutual love of rabbits was how I first met Sharon. I run a rabbit and guinea pig rescue and Sharon came to adopt one of our orphan bunnies. She now has quite a menagerie of bunnies, as well as the additions of guinea pigs and degus. Her excuse for the piggies and degus is that in order to care for other peoples pets properly she needs to have personal experience of them. Well, I will leave you to ponder on her reasoning! I guess Chris is just relieved that she did not decide to board giraffes or something! Whenever I have a medical crisis at the rescue I always go to Sharon for advice. She has a very in depth knowledge of the complexities of rabbits and will always put herself out to help when she can. Both Sharon and Chris are very caring genuine people, and I can assure anyone who wishes to leave their beloved pet in their care, that he/she or they will be in capable, loving hands.

Helen Kemp, Worcestershire

It's so good not to have to worry about your pets when you are going on holiday, and I certainly don't need to worry when they are in Blackberry Boarding! I'm pretty sure my rabbit, Pickles, gets better looked after there than he does at home. And when a pet has any health problems I can be sure of careful professional attention above and beyond the call of duty - one of our rabbits required regular injections and wound flushing, and Sharon didn't even flinch. I'm confident too that if my pet showed any signs of illness during its stay it would be spotted and treated at once - Blackberry Boarding really know and care about their bunnies.

Sam Morecraft, Wotton-u-Edge

Knowing that our rabbit Smudge was being well looked after by experts while we've been on holiday has made going away much easier. We received regular updates about how he was getting on while we were away and when we came back he seemed incredibly contented (we wondered whether he really wanted to come home!) Thanks to Sharon Smudge also met his true love Suzi and so in future both our rabbits will be spending their holidays at Blackberry Boarding.

Keira Blanchard, Tewkesbury

I have no hesitation in recommending Blackberry Boarding to all bunny owners - your obvious knowledge of caring for rabbits as well as your enthusiasm reassured me that my pets would be well looked after. I have used Blackberry Boarding twice in the last 6 months, and my only concern is that my bunnies are so well treated they won't want to come home!