Choosing A Place to Board Your Cat

Introduction

All cat owners should take the time to look for a proper boarding facility, even if they do not ever intend on boarding their cat. Most likely a day will come when you find you have to board your cat, even if only for a few days. Choosing a place where you are comfortable boarding your cat in advance will help you to avoid rush decisions that you may later regret.

Things to Think About

Try to think about your cat’s needs first before your begin your boarding facility search. Will your cat need medical care while he or she is being boarded? Does your cat need lots of activity and space? Does your cat have any anxiety, or other behavioral, issues? Once you take a few moments to think about what type of boarding facility will suit your cat best, you can narrow down your boarding choices.

Before you commit to a boarding facility, visit the facility first. Take a tour of the kennels, and check out the area where your cat will be walked and exercised. Take some time to meet the people who will be walking and feeding your cat. If you are uncomfortable at all with any aspect of the boarding facility, look elsewhere. You may want to consider another boarding facility if the kennels are in a poor condition, if the exercise and walking area does not meet your cat’s needs, and if the facility is not properly cleaned and maintained.

Once you have located a boarding facility that you are comfortable with, ask about any requirements you must follow before you can board your cat. Every legitimate boarding facility will require that your cat is up to date on all vaccinations.  Some facilities have additional requirements such as having your cat micro-chipped or bringing in copies of your cat’s medical records. Complete any requirements that your cat needs in advance to avoid any last minute frustrations.