Adopting Your First Pet: Tips for Families

Why Visit a Cattery Before Boarding Your Cat?

25 September 2015

Micheal Silva

While you can learn a lot about a cattery's services from its website, or by calling for a chat, this isn't enough to tell you if the facility is the right one for your cat. When you've found a cattery like Welcome Boarding Kennels & Cattery that looks good on paper, you should visit to make sure that your cat will be comfortable, cared for and secure during its stay.

What to Expect During a Visit

Most cattery visits involve a tour of the facilities, including the areas where cats live during their stay. The member of staff who escorts you should also outline the facility's services and care provision.

This is a good time to ask questions, especially if your cat needs extra care. For example, if your cat is on medication or requires a special diet, you need a cattery that is able to cater for its needs. Staff may also ask you questions about your cat, its personality, medical history and habits.

Tip: Reputable catteries typically require all visiting cats to be vaccinated, and may ask for proof of vaccination before accepting your cat. Avoid boarding your cat in a facility that says it will accept cats without vaccinations. Catteries usually ask for at least an F3 vaccination to protect against cat flu and feline enteritis.

What to Look For in a Cattery

Although you'll learn useful information on your visit, you can also learn a lot about a cattery by looking around during the tour. For example, the cats you see on your visit should look comfortable and relaxed, and staff should interact well with them. If a lot of the cats look stressed or unhappy, or you see untouched food in their bowls way after a mealtime, this may not be the right cattery for you.

It's also important that each cat has an individual enclosure, unless they are part of a family group. If your cat really doesn't like other cats, look for a facility with closed enclosures, so that cats can't see each other. Typically, catteries provide something for the cat to sleep on and things for them to play with; however, you can usually take in your own cat bed and toys, if you prefer.

While you're looking round, make sure to check the following:

• Facilities should be clean, hygienic and at a comfortable temperature.
• Cats should have the option to go outside for exercise periods. If a cattery has a communal outdoor area rather than individual ones per enclosure, make sure that cats go out alone and are not expected to mingle with unfamiliar cats.
• Enclosures and outdoor areas need to be safe and secure. Cats can be great escape artists, and should not be able to get out of the cattery.

Tip: Look for a cattery that goes the extra mile to make your cat feel at home. For example, some facilities use pheromone sprays to relax cats. Some may also play music and have staff working close to the cats to create a more homely atmosphere.

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