How to choose a good boarding cattery

It can often be difficult to know what to look for when choosing a boarding cattery – you want to feel secure in the knowledge that your treasured pets are in safe hands while you’re away.

To help you find a good boarding cattery, we’ve compiled a list of tips to help you in your research. The last thing you want when you’re on holiday is to be worrying about your pets. We’re here to help.

Good places book up fast - A place being booked up is actually a very good sign. Make sure to start your search early and ask them how busy they tend to be for future bookings.
Recommendations and a license - Social media can be a great place to check a cattery for reviews and recommendations. It’s also worth checking to see if the cattery is licensed by the local authority.
Make an unannounced visit - Don’t be afraid to drop by without an appointment, this will help you to see the conditions of the cattery when a visit is unexpected.
Check the conditions in real life - Check the living area is warm, secure, clean and dry, with plenty of comfortable areas. Ideally, individual cat pens should have toys, a scratching post, something to hide in or under, a shelf where the cat can rest, and a large litter tray.
Are there cats within viewing distance of one another? - Cats that don’t know each other should not be able to see one another as this can cause them a great deal of stress. Cages should be side by side to minimise this.
Do they ask questions about your pet? - Asking questions about your cat’s routine, diet and vaccinations is a good sign that they care about the wellbeing of your pet, and surrounding pets.
Know what to do in an emergency - For complete peace of mind, ask about insurance cover and what the procedure is for contacting you (or a vet) in case of a veterinary emergency.
Consider a cat sitter - Cats are far more comfortable at home in their own territory. If there is a cat sitter available, this might suit your cat far better than a boarding cattery.

This checklist should help ensure that you find a secure, clean and well organised cattery that truly cares about the wellbeing of your pet.

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