Cat Boarding Facilities

What they do

Good catteries give each cat, or each household of cats together, an individual unit with a warm sleeping area, a litter tray placed away from food, scratching and perching space, and a view that does not stare directly at a strange cat. Units should be solid-sided between neighbors, not wire cages facing each other, because constant eye contact is a major source of stress for cats.

The daily work is quiet and observant: feeding to the cat's home diet, fresh water, litter scooped at least daily, and close attention to appetite and litter use. A cat who has not eaten or not used the tray is giving important information, and experienced staff treat a second missed meal as a reason to call you and, if needed, a vet. Handling is kept gentle and minimal for shy cats.

Vaccination requirements are strict for good reason, since respiratory infections spread easily in shared airspace. Expect to show current protection against feline enteritis and cat flu, with boosters given well before the stay rather than the day before. Facilities should also have an isolation unit for any cat who develops sneezing, eye discharge, or diarrhea mid-stay.

Unlike dog kennels, there is no group play and no outdoor roaming. Some facilities have individual outdoor runs attached to each unit, securely roofed and meshed, so a cat can watch birds without meeting neighbors. Bringing a worn item of your clothing, familiar bedding, and the exact food and litter your cat knows helps more than any luxury extra.

Services you can expect

• Individual heated cat units or condos
• Feeding to your cat's own diet, including prescription diets
• Daily litter care with your cat's usual litter type where possible
• Grooming and gentle handling for long-haired cats
• Medication administration, including timed doses
• Isolation care if a cat becomes unwell during a stay
• Kitten and elderly cat boarding with extra checks
• Photo updates and appetite reports for owners

What to expect

• A calm, dog-free building where you can see and smell cleanliness immediately
• Each unit with a hiding place, perch, scratching surface, and separate litter and feeding spots
• Staff who can tell you exactly how much your cat ate and how the litter tray looked each day
• Vaccination records checked and copied before the stay is confirmed
• Your cat returned with a clear report, including any appetite dip in the first day or two

How to choose

• Tour and confirm cats cannot see directly into neighboring units all day
• Ask how air is shared between units and how an unwell cat is isolated
• Check heating, draughts, and whether units are secure against escapes during cleaning
• Prefer staff who talk about appetite and litter as health signals, not just cuddles
• Ask whether dogs are boarded on the same site and, if so, how completely separate the areas are

Questions to ask

• Which vaccinations do you require, and how long before boarding must boosters be given?
• Will my cat be able to see other cats, and what hiding space is in the unit?
• How often do you check appetite and litter, and when would you call a vet?
• Can you give medication at exact times, and how is it recorded?
• Can I supply my cat's own food, litter, and bedding from home?
• What happens if my cat does not eat for more than a day?
• Do you offer a short first stay for a nervous or indoor-only cat?

Red flags

• Cats housed in cages facing each other with nowhere to hide
• Dogs barking in the same airspace or building section as the cats
• No vaccination proof required before booking
• Litter trays placed beside food bowls inside small units
• Staff dismiss appetite loss as normal for the whole stay without monitoring
• Units cleaned with cats moved into carriers in a corridor rather than a safe routine

What affects the price

• Unit size and whether it includes an individual outdoor run
• Whether cats from the same household share one larger unit
• Length of stay and peak holiday demand
• Medication administration and prescription diet preparation
• Extra grooming for long or matted coats
• Heated units or additional daily checks for kittens and elderly cats