Whether you’re heading off on holiday or have a business trip planned, booking your pet cat into a cattery can make the entire experience much easier. Knowing the cat will be well cared for ensures the owner’s mind is at ease. However, understanding what you need to check before booking a boarding facility can be tough.
There are multiple aspects you should check before booking a boarding facility for your pet cat, including the reputation of the cattery, whether it follows the animal welfare laws, if it has a valid license and insurance, how the facilities are maintained, and more. It is essential to check the cattery before booking as this will ensure you select the establishment that can offer the best care for cats.
As there are so many catteries in the UK, it can be difficult to find an establishment that is up to scratch. Thankfully, there are guidelines set out by The Animal Welfare Act that all cat boarding facilities should follow, but not all do. This is just one of the essential aspects cat owners must check when looking at the available catteries in their areas.
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Is the Cattery Reputable?
When you drop your cat off at a cattery, you want to know it will be cared for to a high standard. As previously mentioned, The Animal Welfare Act instructs how boarding services should run, and the catteries that follow these guidelines are believed to be reputable.
This Act guides how a boarding establishment should be run, including the records that must be kept, the maintenance that must be carried out, and the layout of the accommodation units, as stated here. For example, cats should always have access to their own sleeping areas, which must have clean and dry bedding at all times unless the owner says otherwise. All of these regulations are in place to ensure the animals being cared for are kept safely, as are the staff members.
Ensuring the cattery obeys the rules set out in The Animal Welfare Act is one way to check if it is a reputable business, but there are other ways to verify its reputation.
Does the facility have a license?
As commercial businesses, catteries must have a license to operate, and this is usually acquired from the local council. Licenses are a requirement under The Animal Welfare Act, and catteries must also display the license certificates. A new one will be issued if the annual inspection is passed.
When visiting a cattery before booking, you should look out for the current license.
Is the cattery insured?
Similar to having a license, catteries must also have insurance. This will usually be displayed beside the license. Insurance covers a variety of situations, such as if your cat is injured during its stay.
Are the online reviews positive?
Although the cattery might have reviews posted on its website, look at what is being said on independent sites. The boarding cattery website will likely only include good testimonials, so using Google and review websites for pet services will ensure you receive a more rounded opinion of the facility and service.
It is encouraged to look for reviews discussing the care of cats previously in the boarder’s care, the conduct and expertise of staff members, and the standard of facilities. These are three key factors to check to ensure your cat will be properly cared for.
Are the Facilities Nicely Maintained?
Before booking a cattery or dog kennel, visiting the premises is always a good idea. This allows you to see how the cattery is maintained and check how current cats residing there are treated. If the facilities are properly maintained, then you can assume staff members take their jobs seriously and respect the cats in their care.
There are several aspects related to cattery maintenance, as shown below:
Are the premises, including the entrance and cat accommodation, clean?
All areas of the cattery should be cleaned regularly to protect the cats’ health and safety. If the premises are cleaned to a high standard, this is often a good reflection of the care and running of the cattery. These standards are required by The Animal Welfare Act; for example, the boarder should ensure fresh cat litter is used and changed regularly.
Even if the cattery looks clean, use your sense of smell, too. If the cat units smell unpleasant during your visit, you should look for a different cat boarding facility.
Is it adequately ventilated?
Good ventilation helps to keep the cattery safe and efficient, which ensures the residents are healthy. It can assist in improving air quality and reducing unpleasant smells and contagious airborne illnesses.
Accommodation that has outdoor runs connected will have better ventilation, but this is not always suitable, especially for indoor cats. In the winter, these units can get quite cold, so it is important to consider this when selecting a cattery during the colder months.
How noisy is the area?
If the cattery also runs dog boarding, the kennels should be kept away from the cat accommodation to reduce the stress of both animals. This distance will stop dogs from smelling the cats and vice versa, which could cause the dogs to become riled up and begin barking.
Cats should have an area to hide in their units to avoid stressful situations; noisy environments can be scary for your feline.
How Much is the Cattery Per Day?
Most cat owners with no experience in pet boarding will wonder, “How much is a cattery per day?” This is a loaded question, as the answer can vary depending on the location, the time of year, the number of cats, and the length of the cat’s stay, so it is best to ask your chosen cattery. The average cost of a cattery per day is between £10 and £19.50.
The prices quoted by catteries will be per day from the day of arrival to the day of departure; in some cases, this will also be per cat. A deposit might also be required before the cat’s stay.
Do Households with Multiple Cats Receive a Discounted Price?
Most catteries will allow multiple cats from the same household to stay in one unit. If this is the case, there is a chance the boarding facility will offer a lower price than two individual cats. This is because two cats sharing one unit will usually use the same amount of space as one cat, but they will still require food, cleaning, and staff fees to be covered.
Does Administering Medication Increase the Price?
Some cats will require additional care during their stays in a cattery; this can include medication administration. As this can require extra time spent with the animal and specialist care, catteries can include an extra charge in the boarding fees to cover this.
Are Bookings During Holidays More Expensive?
Catteries will be in high demand during peak periods, such as school and bank holidays, meaning the price can increase. Similarly, if the cat boarding facilities are open over Christmas Day, Boxing Day, and New Year’s Day, cattery prices will definitely be higher than usual.
To Sum Up
When you begin the process of finding a boarding facility for your pet cat, it can be difficult to know what you should check. There are often numerous catteries to choose from, but which is the best choice? The first check to carry out is if the establishment is reputable, which includes following The Animal Welfare Act, being licensed, and having positive reviews.
Once you have selected a cat boarder, a visit is the next step. This is when you can check the standard of the facilities; are the cat accommodation units nicely maintained? Do they have decent ventilation? Also, if the establishment also offers boarding for dogs, you should check the noise levels to avoid putting your cat in a stressful situation. If the cattery meets your standards, you can then check the costs.
So, if your cat needs to be boarded, this post should assist you in selecting the best cattery in your area.