Castle Boarding

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Animal Welfare Policies & Procedures

(Rabbits & Guinea Pigs Only)

Effective Date: February 2026

Licence Number: [Insert once granted]

Premises Address: 14 Curbar Curve, Inkersall, Chesterfield, S43 3HZ

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1. Legal Compliance and Welfare Commitment

Castle Boarding operates in accordance with:

• The Animal Welfare Act 2006

• The Animal Welfare (Licensing of Activities Involving Animals) (England) Regulations 2018

• DEFRA statutory guidance for animal boarding establishments

• Local authority licence conditions

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We are committed to meeting the Five Welfare Needs:

1. Suitable environment

2. Suitable diet

3. Ability to exhibit normal behaviour

4. Appropriate companionship or separation

5. Protection from pain, suffering, injury and disease

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2. Admission Policy

2.1 Pre-Boarding Requirements

Prior to boarding, the following must be provided:

• Completed booking and medical declaration form

• Emergency contact details

• Veterinary practice details

• Behavioural information

• Dietary instructions

2.2 Vaccination Policy (Rabbits Only)

Rabbits must have current vaccinations against:

• Myxomatosis

• Rabbit Viral Haemorrhagic Disease (RHD1)

• Rabbit Viral Haemorrhagic Disease (RHD2)

Proof of vaccination is required prior to or at check-in.

Guinea pigs do not require routine vaccinations in the UK but must be in good health on admission.

Animals showing signs of infectious disease (e.g., snuffles, diarrhoea, lethargy, discharge) will not be admitted.

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3. Accommodation Standards

3.1 Enclosure Requirements

All enclosures must:

• Be secure and escape-proof

• Provide adequate space to express natural behaviours such as hopping, stretching (rabbits) and running (guinea pigs)

• Include separate areas for sleeping, feeding, and toileting

• Be constructed from safe, non-toxic materials

• Protect from predators and vermin

Minimum space provided will comply with or exceed current DEFRA guidance.

3.2 Environmental Conditions

• Temperature maintained between 10–20°C (avoiding extremes)

• Adequate ventilation without draughts

• Natural or appropriate artificial lighting

• Protection from direct sunlight and overheating

Heatwaves:

• Frozen water bottles, air conditioning, fans and shade provided

• Increased monitoring

Cold weather:

• Extra bedding provided

• Hutch insulation used where required

• Indoor heater

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4. Bedding and Enrichment

4.1 Bedding

• Dust-extracted bedding used (if required)

• Fleeced bedding primarily used

• Clean hay provided daily

• Soiled bedding removed promptly

• Full clean between occupants

• Paper-based litter

4.2 Enrichment

Rabbits and guinea pigs will be provided with:

• Constant access to hay

• Hiding areas

• Tunnels or shelters

• Chew-safe enrichment items

• Multiple levels

Social pairs will be housed together where safe and appropriate.

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5. Feeding and Nutrition

5.1 Diet Requirements

Rabbits and guinea pigs must have:

• Unlimited access to fresh hay (primary diet component)

• Fresh water available at all times

• Pellets fed according to owner instructions

• Fresh vegetables as instructed by owner

Guinea pigs must receive adequate Vitamin C in their diet.

5.2 Monitoring

• Appetite monitored twice daily

• Any refusal to eat recorded

• Changes in droppings monitored

Gut stasis in rabbits is treated as an emergency.

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6. Daily Monitoring and Record Keeping

Each animal will be checked at least twice daily for:

• Eating and drinking

• Normal droppings

• Mobility and posture

• Signs of dental issues

• Respiratory symptoms

• Signs of flystrike (especially rabbits in warmer months)

All findings recorded in daily welfare logs.

Records maintained include:

• Owner contact details

• Animal identification

• Vaccination records (rabbits)

• Medication logs

• Incident reports

• Arrival and departure dates

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7. Health and Veterinary Procedures

7.1 Illness or Injury

If an animal becomes unwell:

1. Immediate welfare assessment

2. Owner contacted

3. Veterinary treatment sought if required

If the owner cannot be contacted, Castle Boarding is authorised to seek veterinary care.

All veterinary costs remain the owner’s responsibility.

7.2 Isolation Procedures

• Designated isolation area available

• Separate cleaning equipment used

• Strict hygiene and PPE protocols followed

• Hands washed between handling animals

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8. Cleaning and Biosecurity

8.1 Daily Cleaning

• Spot cleaning morning and evening

• Food bowls cleaned daily

• Water bottles disinfected daily

8.2 Full Disinfection

• Full enclosure clean between boarders

• Animal-safe disinfectant used

• Contact times strictly followed

8.3 Disease Prevention

• No mixing of unfamiliar animals

• Strict hand hygiene

• Isolation of any suspected contagious illness

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9. Handling Procedures

• Calm, minimal handling approach

• Proper support of rabbit hindquarters

• Guinea pigs handled close to body to prevent injury

• Children not permitted to handle animals

Handling kept to minimum required for welfare and health checks.

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10. Emergency Planning

Written emergency plan includes:

• Fire evacuation procedure

• Extreme weather plan

• Power outage contingency

• Animal escape procedure

Emergency supplies include:

• Fire extinguishers

• First aid kits (human and small animal)

• Emergency contact list

• Temporary containment carriers

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11. Staffing and Competency

• Staff must understand rabbit and guinea pig welfare needs

• Knowledge of signs of gut stasis, respiratory disease, flystrike

• Regular welfare training undertaken

• Adequate staffing levels maintained

Animals will not be left unattended for prolonged periods.

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12. Late Collection and Abandonment

• Animals not collected on agreed date will incur additional fees as per Terms & Conditions.

• After 7 days without contact, the animal may be considered abandoned and relevant authorities contacted.

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13. Security

• Premises secured at all times

• Gates and enclosures checked daily

• Visitor access supervised

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14. Complaints Procedure

• Complaints recorded in writing

• Investigated promptly

• Corrective action taken where necessary

• Records retained for inspection

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15. Policy Review

This document is reviewed:

• Annually

• After any major incident

• Following changes in legislation

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Declaration

Castle Boarding confirms that these policies are actively implemented and reflect our commitment to maintaining high welfare standards for rabbits and guinea pigs.