Birdsville offers rabbit and guinea pig boarding in Sydney, at 684 Botany Road, Alexandria, with comfortable, purpose-built cages, daily care and plenty of enrichment for your pet during their stay. Whether you’re heading off on holidays, travelling for business, or just need a safe temporary home for your furry friend, our caring team will look after your rabbit or guinea pig with the same attention we’d give our own pets.
There’s no need to bring a cage, feed or treats, as we provide all of this. Just bring a few of your rabbit or guinea pig’s favourite toys, or pick some up at Birdsville when you drop them off. Once you have your dates, book online now and our team will coordinate the care of your rabbit or guinea pig for the length of their stay.
All boarding fees are paid upfront and in full on the first day, for the full duration of the stay.
Click here to book your rabbit or guinea pig’s stay
We recommend booking ahead, especially around school holidays and the Christmas and New Year period.
What’s Included in Rabbit and Guinea Pig Boarding?
Boarding includes daily cage cleaning, fresh food and water, and regular health checks and interaction, split across a morning and afternoon routine.
Morning
- Daily cage cleaning, including a full change and disinfection with vet-recommended F10 solution.
- Fresh feed and water daily, including small-animal pellets and a mix of oaten hay and meadow hay.
- Visual health checks and friendly interaction from our team.
Afternoon
- Freshly chopped fruit, vegetables and leafy greens.
- A further visual health check, along with interaction from our team.
How Does Birdsville Care for Boarding Rabbits and Guinea Pigs?
At Birdsville, boarding rabbits and guinea pigs are kept in a lively, social environment where they can see and hear people and other animals throughout the day. Cages are kept clean and secure, and tame pets (with owner’s permission) are taken out, patted and handled by our team and animal-loving volunteers, usually during cage cleaning. Your pet will always have people and activity nearby, so they’re never left feeling alone.
What Are Rabbit and Guinea Pig Boarding Rates at Birdsville?
Boarding rates depend on the animal and the level of care required, with current pricing listed on Petsville Hotel.
- In-house cage size: 700mm high by 950mm wide by 580mm deep.
- Our cages suit two mini or dwarf breed rabbits and/or guinea pigs, or one large breed rabbit.
- All rabbits and guinea pigs are provided with a water bowl. If your pet can only drink from a bottle, an additional cleaning fee applies.
What Do I Need to Bring for My Rabbit or Guinea Pig?
Please bring your pet’s favourite enrichment toys for their stay. This is a requirement for all animals boarding with us. You’re welcome to bring your own, such as a foraging ball or a tunnel to hide in, or pick some up at Birdsville when you arrive.
We won’t board rabbits or guinea pigs without enrichment toys. Pets naturally miss their owners while boarding, and separation anxiety is real, so toys and a stimulating environment help keep stress to a minimum during their stay.
What Are Birdsville’s Boarding Policies for Rabbits and Guinea Pigs?
Birdsville can’t board rabbits or guinea pigs with a known disease or illness, due to the risk of infection to other animals in our care. As prey animals, rabbits and guinea pigs instinctively hide signs of illness or injury for as long as possible, which makes it hard to spot. Since we aren’t vets, please let us know about any health concerns before your pet’s stay so we can make the right call together.
Boarding always carries some risk of stress, 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.
Small animals, and guinea pigs in particular, can be fragile. Stress, worms, mites, lice, fleas, anaerobic bacteria in the gut, urinary tract infections, respiratory problems, abscesses, tumours, heart failure and overgrown teeth can all cause sudden weight loss, illness or death. 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. They’re committed to giving your pet the best possible care during their stay.
If you arrive early to collect your pet, refunds aren’t provided for unused boarding days. If you arrive late, you’ll be charged for the extra days. Animals 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 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 pet 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 pet is still in-store.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does rabbit and guinea pig boarding cost in Sydney?
Pricing for rabbit and guinea pig boarding depends on the type of animal and the level of care they need. Current rates are listed on Petsville Hotel, where you can check availability and book your pet’s stay online in just a few minutes.
How do I book rabbit or guinea pig boarding at Birdsville?
You can book your rabbit or guinea pig’s stay online through Petsville Hotel, our dedicated booking platform. Simply select your dates, confirm availability, and our team will prepare everything for their arrival. We recommend booking early, especially around school holidays and the Christmas and New Year period.
Can rabbits and guinea pigs share a cage while boarding?
Yes, our cages fit two mini or dwarf breed rabbits or guinea pigs, or one large breed rabbit, and pets already sharing a home cage can usually board together. In rare cases where cage mates become stressed or aggressive in the new environment, we’ll separate them and let you know.
What do I need to bring for my rabbit or guinea pig’s stay?
Just bring your pet’s favourite enrichment toys, such as a foraging ball or a hide-away tunnel. We provide everything else, including the cage, pellets, hay, fresh vegetables and water. Toys are required for every boarding stay, as they help reduce stress while your pet is away from home.
Do you provide food and hay during boarding?
Yes. We provide small-animal pellets, a mix of oaten and meadow hay, and fresh fruit and vegetables every day, so you don’t need to bring any feed. If your rabbit or guinea pig has specific dietary needs, please let our team know before drop-off so we can plan accordingly.
Will my rabbit or guinea pig be lonely while boarding?
No. Boarding rabbits and guinea pigs stay in an active, social room with people and other animals nearby throughout the day. Tame pets are also taken out, patted and handled by our team during cage cleaning, so they get plenty of company and attention during their stay.
What happens if my rabbit or guinea pig gets sick while boarding?
Rabbits and guinea pigs with a known illness can’t board with us, since we’re not a veterinary practice and can’t provide treatment on-site. Because they’re prey animals, they’re very good at masking illness, so please tell us about any health concerns before your pet’s stay.
Can I drop off or pick up my pet 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 pet in, or collect them, a day earlier or later instead. See the full list of closure dates above.
What happens if I’m late picking up my pet?
You’ll be charged for each extra day your pet stays with us. Animals 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.
