Boarding catteries – choosing the right one

Pet-sitters and catteries are two main options for your cats if you go away on vacation and cannot take them with you. Ideally, it would be more comfortable for pets to have cat sitters, enabling them to remain in their home environment. However, many cat owners rely on boarding catteries to care for their animals while they are away. The experience will likely involve some stress for your cat, but by taking care in choosing a cattery, stress can be minimized, helping your pet return to you happy and healthy after their stay. 

©Vinh Lâm / Pexels

Catteries should comply with special regulations and be licensed by the local authority. To maintain their license, they should be inspected regularly. A veterinary inspection may also be required. They must comply with regulations relating to pen size, hygiene, feeding and standards of care, and environmental issues. However, this license relates only to a minimum standard of care and aims to maintain basic welfare and prevent disease transmission. It should not be used as the sole basis on which to select a cattery.

The best way to find out about a cattery is by personal recommendation from a previous user or your veterinarian. Local groups online may be able to help with personal recommendations from cat owners in your area. Some publications might help you choose, but cattery owners likely compile the advertisements in these, and there is no official rating procedure. The International Cat Care charity advises cattery owners on standards of care and has some information for owners on what to look for in a cattery on their website.

All good catteries should encourage visits from prospective clients before they book in their animals. A visit provides an opportunity for you to meet the cattery owner, discuss your cat’s requirements, and gauge for yourself the standards of care and the welfare of the residents. It’s a good idea to visit the cattery during normal opening hours. Good cattery owners should be happy to show you around and let you see the cats they have staying in their pens or outdoor areas.

There are general things to look for such as the overall cleanliness of the premises. The enclosures should be secure (to stop your cat from escaping) and large enough to provide an indoor sleeping area and an outdoor exercise area. The walls of the exercise area should have barriers (preferably full height) between each enclosure to prevent the spread of disease and should never be communal. Ask if there is any temperature control for the sleeping area: heating is essential; air conditioning might be useful in summer. Also, check the cleanliness of the food and water bowls. Finally, ask about the litter trays – are they regularly checked for droppings and cleaned? It is also a good idea to check that the cats are monitored frequently rather than just being left to their own devices – do they keep records of whether they have eaten and toileted, and do they have a daily check for any signs of ill-health?

There is some increased risk to your cat by being near other cats, but this can be minimized by ensuring that your cat is up to date with vaccinations and goes into the cattery in the best of health. Good catteries will have their vaccination requirements. Usually, all residents must be fully vaccinated against feline panleukopenia (enteritis) and cat flu. It is also advisable to make sure that some form of flea protection protects your cat. Solid partition walls between cats, avoiding any communal cat areas and good hygiene in the environment and amongst staff are all important in disease prevention. All catteries should be registered with a local veterinary practice in case cats become unwell during their stay. If you prefer, you can provide the cattery with details of your veterinarian if it is local.

Many catteries will be happy to care for your pet if they are generally in good health but require routine medication, such as pain killers for arthritis or even insulin injections for diabetes. Catteries are much less able to take on pets with potentially contagious diseases. Any medication requirements should be discussed in detail beforehand with your veterinarian and the cattery. For high-dependency animals, your veterinarian may be able to make boarding arrangements within the veterinary clinic or hospital to reduce worries about serious problems developing while you are away.

Many catteries will let cats from the same household who are bonded share a pen/run so that they do not have to be separated. Talk with the facility about this option before booking your cat’s stay.

Try to choose a cattery close to your home to avoid a long journey for your cat. Take your cat’s own bed/bedding so that there is something familiar for them to sleep on. Your cat’s favorite toy from home provides something for them to play with while confined. Most cats are very adaptable and settle very readily into the change of environment. If you go away frequently, try to use the same cattery so that your pet becomes more familiar with the environment. Remember to book early, especially for popular vacation periods – popular catteries will get their spaces reserved far in advance.

Boarding catteries are usually run by cat-loving people who are committed to keeping your pet safe and happy while you are away. Finding a cattery that suits you and your cat will ease the stress of separation for both of you and ensure your cat is in the best hands to remain healthy and happy.