My name is Emma, and caring for animals has been a part of my life for as long as I can remember.

I’m fully qualified across many areas of animal care — from behaviour and husbandry to exotic pet and small animal veterinary support — with a special love for rabbits, small pets, and exotics.  We provide luxury affordable boarding for all your pets and we welcome all.
 

Small Paws began in 2013 as a true family passion project, built on the belief that every animal deserves to feel safe, loved, and understood.  Emma Gowshall , whose lifelong passion for animals shaped the heart of our family‑run service wanted to create a home from home experience for all animals whilst their caregivers are away.

Emma has worked all over the world with animals are all shapes and sizes,  teaching and demonstrating her animal work within schools, universities and wildlife reserves.   Her unique and open approach to working with animals and building trusts, routines and developing relationships so that the animals feel comfortable and at home with her.  Pets are family and at Small Paws we know how important family is. 

Sharing her knowledge especially regarding how animals are happier and healthier in groups and pairs has really paid off as she has successfully bonded over 3000 groups and pairs of rabbits since opening using her stress free, animal orientated bonding practice.  Her knowledge is often requested from vets to help with animals who have struggle to bond or who are struggling with a bereavement and need a new partner.

Boarding your pet with us

When your animal boards we take the time to follow your routines, feeding schedules, and the little details that make your pet feel at home. We get to know each animal as an individual, building trust gently and naturally.    We work hard to provide high quality affordable boarding for all our guests, so we build a close consistent relationship with your pet and you for the years of holidays and visits to Small Paws in the future.  Many of our customers refer to 'You're going to Auntie Emma's' when taking their pets to Small Paws.  2026 has been a year of renovations and restructure with lots of new enclosures, enrichment and more space for our boarders.   Our facilities are heated/cooled or outdoors to replicate their normal living conditions.

While you’re away, you can relax knowing they’re happy, comfortable, and cared for like part of our family. And if you’d like updates or photos, we’re always happy to share how they’re getting on.  We also monitor health and we have access to Sean our Vet 24/7 for all our guests if we have concerns about the little ones in our care.
 

Our priority is always the comfort and wellbeing of the pets already staying with us, so visits are welcomed by appointment only to keep our current guests environment calm and settled.  We work on a appointment system, giving all our animals time to be booked in and settled.
 

Our Centre Manager, Jo Sewell, looks after all boarding enquiries and is always happy to help with any questions you may have regarding care, accommodations and your own pets specific needs etc.  Jo is also available to discuss bonding your rabbits and creating your own fluffle. 

All our staff are highly trained, experienced and love Small Paws and the unique environment we've created.  We are not just boarding we are home from home, personalised care for your pets.