PAMPERED pets can take a relaxing break at a new East Lancashire hotel specifically designed for animals.

The Hedge Hotel in Burnley specialises in looking after small pets, in particular hedgehogs, while their owners are away.

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Owners are sent photographs and updates on the pets during their stay which shows them taking part in their daily exercises and other activities including eating.

Animal lover Fiona Finlayson, 22, says that it has been her lifelong dream to open the business at her home in Brownhill Avenue in Burnley.

Fiona, who read the Beatrix Potter book Mrs Tiggy-Winkle as a child, studied animal management at Myerscough College.

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She can look after hedgehogs, rabbits, guinea pigs, birds, mice, gerbals and small reptiles from her home.

She also offers pet sitting for cats, dogs, fish and reptiles and has previously cared for six Burmese pythons at their home in Rawtenstall and is due to start looking after a skunk.

Fiona, who has seven of her own hedgehogs, two rabbits, two dogs and a cat said: “I have always loved animals, particularly hedgehogs since I was little and I knew that I wanted to do something where I could care for them.

“I am also looking to offer day care for people who may need help looking after their pet while they are out for the day, and also for people who may be elderly and need an extra hand to look after their pet.”

Fiona was involved with a breeding programme for African pygmy hedgehogs while at Myerscough College and then decided that she would get her own.

She now has a family of seven, consisting of Dixon, Jazz, Blossom, Kenickie, Bertha and two babies that were born last weekend.

Fiona added: “After having some of the African pygmy hedgehogs on the breeding programme I had to have some of my own, they are very loving and cuddly.

“The breed is a man-made domestic breed from America but it has become really popular in this country since the 1990s.”

Fiona is currently writing a book about how to care for the small animals including hedgehogs which she will be publishing online.

She added: “There is a lot of misinformation about caring for small animals and I want to try and educate people about the right ways.”

Fiona is due to exhibit at the Family Pet Show in Manchester which takes place on Saturday October 25 and Sunday October 26.

 

Visit www.thehedgehotel.com or find them on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram using 'The Hegde Hotel'.