I do boarding and would say from people who have visited, that they weigh me up more than the accommodation, although that is important, they will have seen images on the website already. I always show them other bunnies who I have at the time of their visit and show it as it is. I go through a typical day with them, show them the disinfectant that I use (pet safe). I show them my two rabbits and their set up, and that usually puts their mind at ease. I also have a detailed Info Form for completion which gives me critical information. Being bunny (and guinea) savvy goes a long way.
Treating each owner, and pet, as an individual are very important. Remembering that one loves basil mid morning and another doesn't like to be touched on the head etc and being flexible as they are all very different. I have one who has a mucky bum and needs daily bathing and grooming, one who loves his head scratched while he eats, one who needs to finish her course of Baytril because she had a throat infection, and one who is very arthritic and I had to build little brick steps for so that he could get in and out of the hutch, this week. Owners like it to be as close to what their pet would get at home as possible.
It's also ALL I do, so I am around for most of the day checking on the bunnies and cleaning and caring for them. They can be fed at specified times. Owners like that their bunnies get lots of attention and that they can get hold of me "anytime".
And quality over quantity in terms of how many hutches/pens. I would rather give loads of attention to a few than a little to many. The little texts to confirm that they have settled well are vital but I wouldn't have time to send everyone one daily, so I agree that if they contact me I will always reply and if there was a problem I would contact them but I just send one after the first 12 hours to confirm everything is ok. I collect photos throughout their stay and email them as a "holiday album" when they have collected their pet, as a thank you for boarding with me.
I would love a set up like Helen at The Rabbit Crossing but I do not have the space for little playhouses. I do have RWAF approved accommodation, it is spotlessly clean, they have good quality hay and are on that and newspaper and I am loving and attentive and know what to look for.
There is definitely demand for good quality boarding. I have been busy this summer and everyone has said they will be back :thumb:
Free range facilities for house rabbits are also in high demand. I can only offer roaming in my dining room, not the whole house, but even that is popular.
Guinea Pig boarding is also as popular. I have specific hutches for guineas and rabbits, but was surprised at how many requests I had - about 50/50 bet bunnies and piggies.