Rat boarding in Sydney has never been easier than at Birdsville. Our premises at 684 Botany Road, Alexandria, has rat-specific cages, kept in a quiet, low-light area to help your rat feel comfortable while you’re away.
Next time you go on holidays, travel for business, or just need a safe temporary home for your rat, our Birdsville boarding facility is the answer. Our caring team will look after your rat with the same premium care we’d give our own pets, so you can have peace of mind that your companion is well fed, happy and secure.
Once you have your dates, book online. Drop-off needs to happen during our listed business hours, and our team will then coordinate your rat’s care for the whole time you’re away. There’s no need to bring a cage, as we provide feed, an enclosure and a drink bottle. Just bring one or more of your rat’s favourite chew toys, or pick some up at Birdsville when you drop your rat off for boarding.
Rat boarding enclosure measurements: 51cm long, 35cm wide, 20cm high.
Rat boarding cage. Boarding includes the cage and drink bottle. Please bring your rat’s favourite toys and somewhere for them to sleep.
Advance bookings aren’t required, but are recommended, especially during school holidays and over the Christmas and New Year period.
What’s Included in Rat Boarding at Birdsville?
Rat boarding at Birdsville includes daily cage cleaning, fresh food and water, and regular health checks and interaction, split across a morning and afternoon routine.
Morning
- Cage cleaning, including a change of substrate and disinfection with vet-grade F10 solution.
- Fresh feed and water.
- Visual health checks and friendly interaction from our team.
Afternoon
- Freshly chopped fruit and vegetables, along with a top-up of rat and mouse food.
- A further visual health check and interaction from our team.
How Does Birdsville Care for Rats During Boarding?
At Birdsville, boarding cages are modern, clean and secure. We’re located on a major Sydney intersection with a monitored alarm system and CCTV cameras, and the public isn’t permitted in the area where boarding animals are kept.
Our Rat Care Includes
- A secure enclosure that protects against weather extremes and draughts.
- A balanced diet of rat and mouse food or lab cubes, with added fresh vegetables and fruit.
- Optional mite and worming prevention for an additional $15.
- Wood shavings provided as standard, though we’re happy to use your own bedding if you prefer.
- Close observation from our team throughout the day, with handling during cleaning and feeding.
- Regular health checks, with owners notified of any unusual change in behaviour.
- As a nocturnal species, rats prefer dim, low-light spaces rather than bright ones, so we keep boarding rats somewhere they’ll feel comfortable rather than in a brightly lit area.
- Rats are genetically prone to respiratory disease, so they’re housed in a well-ventilated cage with an open top.
What Are Rat Boarding Rates at Birdsville?
Rat boarding rates at Birdsville vary depending on whether your stay falls during school holidays. Please check Petsville Hotel for current pricing.
Your rat will be in an active room with people frequently nearby, so they’ll never feel alone.
What Do I Need to Bring for Rat Boarding at Birdsville?
Please bring your rat’s favourite chew and enrichment toys, such as a seagrass corn cob chew or an exercise wheel. This is a requirement for every animal boarding with us, as part of our policy to provide stimulation and enrichment during their stay. We supply the enclosure, bedding, food and a drink bottle, so you’re welcome to bring your own toys or pick some up at Birdsville.
We won’t board rats without enrichment toys, since rats naturally miss their owners while boarding, and this can cause stress.
What Makes Pet Rats Such Great Companions?
Why Rats Make Great Pets
Pet rats make great companions because they’re intelligent, affectionate and quick to bond with their owners. Rats, and their smaller cousin the mouse, have distinct personalities and thrive on human interaction, so they need regular time and attention to stay healthy.
Rat Health and Lifespan
Because most pet rats descend from laboratory stock originally bred for medical research, they can be prone to certain health issues and generally have shorter lifespans than you might expect: typically around 1.5 to 3 years, compared to well under a year for rats in the wild, where predation and disease take a heavy toll. As prey animals, rats instinctively hide signs of illness or injury for as long as possible, which means a sick rat can look healthy right up until they’re seriously unwell.
What Are Birdsville’s Rat Boarding Policies?
Illness and Health Requirements
As experienced rat boarding specialists in Sydney, we’re unable to board rats with a known illness, as sick rats can decline quickly and are best cared for by a vet rather than in a boarding environment.
Cage-Sharing and Aggression
Boarding always carries some risk of stress for small, delicate animals like rats, simply because it’s a new environment. To help minimise this, we require all boarders to have enrichment toys and a hide, provided by the owner. Animals sharing a cage, even ones that live together at home, can occasionally become territorial or aggressive toward each other in unfamiliar surroundings. If we notice bullying or aggression between cage mates, we’ll separate them, notify the owner, and apply an additional charge for the extra space required.
Health Risks in Small Animals
Small animals can be fragile, and issues like stress, worms, mites, lice, fleas, liver or kidney failure, anaerobic bacteria in the gut, urinary tract infections, respiratory problems, mycoplasma, anorexia, lethargy, abscesses, tumours, heart failure and overgrown teeth can all cause sudden weight loss, illness or death. Many of these are difficult to spot in small animals. Our team are passionate animal lovers, ranging from junior to senior staff, with backgrounds in animal welfare including previous experience with the RSPCA, zoos and as vet nurses, and they’re committed to giving your rat the best possible care.
Early Arrival, Late Pickup and Abandoned Animals
If you arrive early to collect your rat, we don’t offer a refund, but we can credit the unused days toward your next stay. For example, arriving 2 days early earns 2 days’ boarding credit. If you arrive late, you’ll be charged a late fee plus the extra days. Rats left in-store for more than 7 days past the paid boarding period are considered abandoned and will be found a new home, a decision that can’t be reversed once made.
By booking a stay with us, you’re agreeing to our Terms and Conditions.
When Is Birdsville Closed for Rat Boarding Drop-off and Pick-up?
If your drop-off or pick-up date falls on one of the dates below, you’ll need to bring your rat in, or collect them, a day earlier or later instead. Our team is still in store caring for boarding animals on these dates, but we’re not able to accept drop-offs or pick-ups due to reduced staffing or higher customer volumes.
- New Year’s Day: 1 January
- Australia Day: 26 January
- Good Friday: date varies each year
- Easter Saturday: date varies each year
- Easter Sunday: date varies each year
- Easter Monday: 6 April 2026
- Anzac Day: 25 April
- King’s Birthday: 8 June 2026
- Labour Day (October): date varies each year
- Christmas Eve: 24 December
- Christmas Day: 25 December
- Boxing Day: 26 December
- New Year’s Eve: 31 December
Please note: on these dates, Birdsville is closed to the public, but a team member is still on-site feeding and caring for boarding animals. You’ll be charged for the day if your rat is still in-store.
Check into our rat boarding facility.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does rat boarding cost in Sydney?
Rates vary depending on whether your stay falls during school holidays. Current pricing is listed on Petsville Hotel, where you can check availability and book your rat’s stay online.
How do I book rat boarding at Birdsville?
You can book online through Petsville Hotel. Drop-off needs to happen during our listed business hours, so check these before your stay. We recommend booking ahead, especially during school holidays and over the Christmas and New Year period.
Can two rats board together in the same cage?
Rats that already share a cage at home can usually board together, since they’re used to each other’s company. In rare cases where cage mates become stressed or aggressive in the new environment, we’ll separate them and let you know straight away, with an additional charge for the extra space required.
What do I need to bring for my rat’s stay?
Just bring your rat’s favourite chew or enrichment toys, such as a seagrass chew or an exercise wheel. We provide everything else, including the enclosure, bedding, food and a drink bottle. Toys are required for every stay, as they help reduce stress while your rat is away from home.
Do you provide food for boarding rats?
Yes. We provide a balanced diet of rat and mouse food or lab cubes, with fresh fruit and vegetables added daily, so there’s no need to bring your own feed. Let our team know if your rat has any specific dietary needs before drop-off.
Will my rat be lonely while boarding?
No. Boarding rats stay in an active room with people frequently nearby throughout the day, so they always have company. Our team also handles and interacts with rats during cage cleaning and feeding, giving them regular social contact even while their owners are away.
Can you treat my rat for mites or worms while boarding?
Yes, we offer optional mite and worming prevention for an additional $15. Let our team know at drop-off if you’d like this service added to your rat’s stay.
What happens if my rat gets sick while boarding?
We can’t board rats with a known illness, since a sick rat can decline quickly and is best cared for by a vet. Because rats are prey animals, they hide signs of illness well, so please tell us about any health concerns before your rat’s stay.
Will my rat be kept somewhere dark and quiet?
Rats are a nocturnal species and prefer dim, low-light spaces over bright ones. We keep boarding rats in a comfortable, appropriately lit area rather than a brightly lit part of the store, while still keeping them well-ventilated and secure.
How long do pet rats live?
Pet rats typically live around 1.5 to 3 years, noticeably longer than rats in the wild, which usually survive less than a year due to predation and disease. Most pet rats descend from laboratory stock, which can make them prone to certain health issues as they age.
What happens if I arrive early to collect my rat?
We don’t offer a refund for early collection, but we can credit the unused days toward your next boarding stay. For example, if you collect your rat 2 days early, you’ll receive 2 days’ worth of boarding credit to use on a future visit.
Can I drop off or pick up my rat on a public holiday?
No. On public holidays and other listed closure dates, our team is on-site caring for boarding animals, but we can’t accept drop-offs or pick-ups. Bring your rat in, or collect them, a day earlier or later instead.
What happens if I’m late picking up my rat?
You’ll be charged a late fee plus each extra day your rat stays with us. Rats left more than 7 days past the paid boarding period are treated as abandoned under our policy and rehomed, a step we can’t undo, so please get in touch as early as possible if you’ll be late.
