Redbeck Small Animal Boarding: Real FAQs

Use our booking form: choose your dates and accommodation, add your pet’s details and upload the vaccination card. Claudia checks the diary and replies by email, usually within 24 hours. Your booking is confirmed once the £20 deposit per accommodation and vaccination records are received. The deposit comes off your final bill. Booking form

It depends on the accommodation and the length of stay. The minimum stay is 4 days, and drop off and collection days both count. The price calculator works out your stay for you, and the full list is on the price page. Price calculator

The minimum stay is 4 days, typically Monday to Thursday or Friday to Monday. Drop off and collection days both count, and a shorter stay is charged as 4 days. Price list

Full payment is by bank transfer at least 14 days before arrival. If you book less than 14 days before arrival, you pay in full when you book. The £20 deposit per accommodation comes off your final payment. Terms and conditions

The £20 deposit is non refundable and is kept if you cancel. Boarding fees are non refundable once paid, even if your pet is collected early. Any other refund is at Redbeck’s discretion and only considered if the cancelled slot can be rebooked. Terms and conditions

Yes, we understand that unexpected delays happen.
If you are unable to collect your pet on the agreed date, we will continue caring for them under the same conditions until you can return.
We ask that you contact us as soon as possible if you know you’ll be delayed.
Extended stays will be charged at the normal daily boarding rate.
If major delays occur (beyond a few extra days), we may need to discuss alternative arrangements depending on availability.
Your pet’s care remains our priority, we will never leave them without secure accommodation and daily attention.

Rabbits, guinea pigs, rodents, birds, tortoises and reptiles. Rodents and birds stay in their own cage with their own food. Tortoises and reptiles use our tortoise table or your own vivarium. Price list

For rabbits: the Cottages, with an 8 by 6 foot outdoor run; the Lodge, a 5 by 8 foot indoor suite that suits house rabbits, older guests and rabbits recovering; and the Deluxe, a 10 by 6 foot indoor space with a 6 by 4 foot outdoor run. Guinea pigs, birds, rodents and reptiles stay in the Cabin, our quiet, low stress space. Our accommodation

Yes, bonded animals can occasionally fall out during a stay, especially if they are newly bonded or sensitive to change.
At Redbeck, we monitor bonded pairs and groups carefully for any signs of tension, chasing, fur-pulling, aggressive behaviour.
If early signs appear:
We intervene calmly to reduce stress (e.g., distraction, enrichment, temporary separation with visual contact).
We immediately contact you to discuss the situation and agree the next steps.
If fighting escalates or poses a risk, we separate the animals for their safety, while keeping them close enough to maintain social comfort.
Our goal is always to protect the bond where possible, but your pets’ physical welfare comes first.
We treat every case individually, not by fixed rules, but by the animals’ needs.

No, only when it is safe and suitable for the individual rabbits.
We assess outdoor boarding based on weather conditions, temperature stability, and the rabbit’s normal living environment.
In colder months, or if your rabbit is normally kept indoors, we house them inside to protect against cold stress and health risks.
In very hot weather, we also bring rabbits indoors or into cooled spaces to prevent heatstroke.
Your rabbit’s safety always comes first, not just convenience.
We will discuss the best option with you when you book.

Where appropriate and safe, yes.
We provide secure outdoor exercise time for rabbits and guinea pigs, using fully enclosed predator-proof runs with solid floors and tops.
Outdoor access depends on:
Weather conditions (no outdoor time in extreme heat, heavy rain, or cold snaps)
Your pet’s health, behaviour, and usual living arrangements
Daily welfare checks to ensure they are fit and well to enjoy it safely
If outdoor time isn’t possible, we provide indoor exercise and enrichment opportunities to ensure they still get movement, stimulation, and choice.
Your pet’s safety always comes first, we never take risks with exposure to predators, temperature stress, or injury.

We provide Science Selective and Burgess Excel pellets, fresh meadow hay, barley straw, fresh veg, dry forage and Science Selective treats. Please bring their usual food too, especially if they are on a special diet. Price list

Please bring their usual food, especially if they are on a special diet, favourite treats, a comfort item that smells like home, a suitable carrier for arrival and collection, which we can store, and any medication, clearly labelled with instructions. Tell us about medication before you arrive. Room service

Yes, you’re welcome to bring familiar items for your pet’s comfort, such as favourite toys, chews, or a small blanket.
However:
All items must be clean and in good condition.
We may need to remove or replace items if they become soiled, damaged, or present a safety risk.
For hygiene reasons, we generally use our own bowls, water bottles, and litter trays unless your pet has a specific need (such as a bottle attachment your animal is used to).
Comfort and welfare come first, but health and safety are always considered.
We’ll do our best to balance both while your pet is with us.

Yes, we’re happy to provide updates if requested when you book.
We can send occasional messages or photos by email or WhatsApp to let you know how your pet is doing.
We also have a private Facebook group exclusively for Redbeck clients, where we post photos and updates almost every day.
It’s a relaxed way to check in on life at Redbeck without disturbing your pet’s routine.
You’ll receive an invitation to join once your booking is confirmed.
We aim to balance providing reassurance with keeping routines calm and focused for all the animals in our care.

We tailor our care to each animal’s needs.
If your pet is shy, nervous, or defensive, we adjust our handling, housing, and interaction to minimise stress.
Shy pets are given safe spaces, minimal disturbance, and calm routines.
Nervous pets are approached carefully and allowed to set the pace for interaction.
Aggressive behaviours are respected as communication, we don’t force handling or provoke stress unnecessarily.
If a pet shows significant aggression that risks injury to themselves or staff, we will contact you to discuss options, including modified care plans or emergency collection if needed.
Our first responsibility is always your pet’s welfare, both physical and emotional.

At Redbeck, every animal has their own individual accommodation, no direct contact with pets from other households.
We follow strict hygiene protocols:
Full disinfection of enclosures between guests
Separate cleaning equipment for each area
Hand-washing and sanitising between handling different animals
Daily welfare checks to spot any early signs of illness
We also require rabbits to be vaccinated against Myxomatosis and RVHD1/2 before boarding.
Biosecurity isn’t optional here, it’s standard.
If any pet shows signs of illness during their stay, we isolate them immediately and consult a vet if needed.
Your animal’s safety and wellbeing always come first.

No, for the safety of all animals in our care, we cannot accept unvaccinated rabbits.
All rabbits must be fully vaccinated against:
Myxomatosis
Rabbit Viral Haemorrhagic Disease (RVHD) strains 1 and 2
You will need to provide proof of current vaccination at or before drop-off.
This protects not only your rabbit, but every other guest boarding with us.
If your rabbit is not yet vaccinated, please speak to your vet, vaccinations typically need to be given at least three weeks before boarding to be fully effective.
We will always prioritise health and biosecurity, no exceptions.

No. Guinea pigs do not need vaccinations, though they still have a basic health check when they arrive. Terms and conditions

Yes, if it is agreed before the stay. Routine medication is £3.00 per day: oral or topical, once or twice daily, on your vet’s written instruction. Enhanced care is £8.00 per day. Medication must come in its original labelled packaging with your vet’s written instructions. We are not a veterinary clinic. Terms and conditions

At Redbeck, we monitor all rabbits closely for signs of reduced appetite, faecal changes, or gut slowdown, every single day.
If a rabbit shows any signs of not eating or toileting properly, we act immediately:

We contact you straight away.
We adjust their diet (tempting foods, syringe feeds if needed).
We increase monitoring and comfort measures.
If there’s no rapid improvement, we arrange urgent veterinary care.

Gut stasis can become critical within hours.
Our early intervention approach and experience with small animal emergencies means your rabbit is never left “to see how they go.”
Their welfare always comes first.

If a serious health emergency arises and we are unable to reach you immediately, we act in your pet’s best interests without delay.
We will seek veterinary care at our trusted practice or an emergency vet if needed.
We will authorise necessary treatment to protect your pet’s life and welfare.
We will continue attempting contact and keep you fully updated as soon as possible.
We ask all owners to complete an emergency contact form at booking, allowing us to act responsibly if immediate decisions are required.
Your pet’s safety is our highest priority, and we will never leave a sick or injured animal waiting for instructions if urgent care is needed.

Drop off and collection are by appointment: Monday to Friday 9am to 6pm, and Saturday 10am to 4pm. We are closed on Sundays and bank holidays. That is a licensing requirement, not a Redbeck choice. Contact us

Yes, and we would love to meet you. Visits are by appointment. Use the visit request form and Claudia will arrange a time. Visit request form

We are at 48 Caldene Avenue, Low Moor, Bradford, BD12 0JP, just off the M62 near the M606 junction. Put BD12 0JP into your satnav: the postcode brings you right outside, so there is no need to look for house numbers. The Get directions button on our contact page opens it in Google Maps. Contact us

Claw clipping is £10, a tidy up is £15, de matting is £25, and a full long haired groom is £35. Guinea pig bathing is from £30. Grooming is calm and one to one, with no clippers unless medically required. Grooming

Yes. Our urgent hygiene clean is same day help for a heavily soiled or blocked rear end, at £50. Please phone first on 07860 113669. Price list

Claudia is the founder and full time owner, and the heart of Redbeck. Martin keeps the systems running and fixes just about everything else. We have cared for over 3,000 animals in more than 10 years. About us

Yes. We are experienced, qualified and fully insured. Our certifications and qualifications are listed on the website, and we are happy to show you the certificates when you visit. Our qualifications