16/02/2024
It is with regret that I make this post today, for my loyal customers, as well as anyone looking for future boarding.
After a long time of going backwards and forwards on making a decision, for several reasons, as of July 2024, I have decided to close Critter Lodge, for the foreseeable future.
Firstly, and unfortunately, due to the rise in energy prices, it is apparent that the reptile boarding side is no longer viable, with my current location and setup... Having rarely more than one, or maybe two, reptiles boarding at the same time, it is making it very expensive to heat the warm room, and obviously the vivariums themselves, also. During some months of the year, with other outgoings, as well as energy (insurance, equipment, accounting, bedding, etc) Critter Lodge has operated at break even, or often at a loss.
The only other option (which isn't really an option) would have been to raise the price of reptile boarding significantly, putting the burden on the individual owner. I don't see this as fair, let alone a sound business decision.
Due to, I suspect, the rise in cost of living, I saw the worst months, since opening, from September 2023 to Christmas. And then subsequently, after what initially was looking like a busy Christmas period for bookings, had many cancellations, resulting in the worst Christmas to date, for Critter Lodge.
The second reason, and to be honest the most important one to me, is that I'm unable to get away to spend time with my own children during the off school times. My youngest is 10 this year, and bless him, due to the lockdowns, and then the fact that I had pets to take care of over the holidays since then, I've never been able to take him away somewhere, even for a night or two. And I'd like to do those things, before he's too old to hang around with dad.
Despite all this, it has been a really hard decision to make. I'm still not entirely happy with it. I have enjoyed Critter Lodge, and put a lot into it. As many of you know, converted the garage, and built everything in there, myself... But in truth, again, due to the lockdowns, and an uncertain start (leading to a very stingy two month time allotment, after the lockdowns, given to me by the government scheme on which I started up, to make the business viable) Critter Lodge has never been what I Initially imagined, or wanted it to be.
I realise this will come as a shock to many of my customers, and that you have come to rely on me to take care of your pets, while you are away. Some of you I have known for years, now. And I'd like to say thank you for trusting, and allowing me, to do so. It has been my absolute pleasure.
Obviously, I will honour my last bookings in the diary, and any others who wish to book, during that time.
I am not ruling out the possibility of opening Critter Lodge, again, one day...but for now (or as of July), it's a fond farewell.
Dale.
Critter Lodge.
🐢🐰🐹🐍🦎
