Small pet B&B

A 13-year-old girl from north Cornwall has opened a pet guesthouse for small animals in her back garden. Lupe van der Stigchel, the owner of Mini Pet B&B, provides accommodation for rabbits, guinea pigs and gerbils.

She persuaded her father, Hans, to build the accommodation. Her mother, Jolanda, is the administrator. The company, whose slogan is: "Mini Pet is a small kennel, for small animals, with a small owner," opened in June.

Since then, the company in Camelford has seen a steady number of pets stay and is half-booked for the school half-term in a week's time. Each cage has its own name and there are plans to expand the business to make room for an extra 12 guests.

"It is important for us to distinguish between all the different cages, and owners often appreciate the special care that their animals get when they see the individual accommodation," Lupe said.

Lupe's mother said the teenager lavished attention on the animals. "They are so well looked after I doubt they want to go home," she said.

While Lupe is at school, her father acts as a second carer to the animals.

The idea for the business came to Lupe after she could not find a paid job at any of the kennels nearby.