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Glasgow Live
Glasgow Live
National
Fahad Tariq

Inside the Glasgow holiday home for small pets including guinea pigs and hamsters

An animal lover has opened her Scotstoun home to small pets while their owners enjoy a week or two in the sunshine.

Holly Rye has been welcoming people's pets - including guinea pigs, hamsters and gerbils - into her home since November and enjoys every second of her job.

During their stay with the 36-year-old, the pets are given shelter, food and drink and most importantly, plenty of warm cuddles.

READ MORE: World's biggest commercial passenger plane to return to Glasgow

Scotstoun Small Pet Boarding was born after Holly's own experience of having nowhere for her hamster to go to when she needed a holiday.

Now, she is helping take the stress off other holidaymakers who have small pets by looking after them - and she charges between £7 and £10 a day for her services.

Holly told Glasgow Live: "I’ve had these problems in the past and there really isn’t a lot of choice and when there is someone, it’s complicated because they say you need to provide the cages.

"I provide everything, all you need to do is bring your pet to me and I will give them a cage, food and everything they need.

"I always update the owners every couple of days with messages, pictures and videos. I feed them, give them fresh water and play with them.

Scotstoun Small Pet Boarding takes care of your small pets while you're on holiday (Supplied)
Holly charges between £7 and £10 an hour for her services (Supplied)

"If the pet likes to be handled, I’ve got playpens for them. Some of them don’t so I just sit and chat with them.

"I like interacting with animals, it’s the best thing ever."

Holly says she doesn't take on more than five pets at a time so that she can give her full attention and affection to every one of them.

All you'd need to do is let her know what kind of pet you've got and how long you want her to have them for. Holly has already received bookings for September and says they are filling up fast.

She added: "At the moment I’ve got guinea pigs and they are very active during the day. I get up and make sure he’s got water and food. I’ll sit and have a chat and give them a little clean out.

Holly Rye hopes to expand her business and bring in more small pets from next month (Supplied)
Bookings are filling up fast for 2023 (Supplied)

"If I have a coffee break during the day, I go and sit with him.

"I have set cages for set breeds of animals. It’s not like they are all shoved in a random cage.

"Half of my customers are already repeat customers and it feels amazing. It’s nice that people are enjoying the service I am providing and it’s nice meeting the different people as well.

"From February, I’m hoping to start taking in birds as well. I want to expand and get different kinds of animals.

"I hope this service takes away the stress from pet owners when they go on holiday. They can put their pet in a small carrier and bring it to me, if they want to bring food and toys they can do that but I supply it for them anyway.

"If people want to book in they should do it as soon as they can."

Find out more details and how to book Holly's services on her Facebook page.

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