Pet Boarding, Cat Boarding and
Cat Kennels (US): Plenty of Information so Your Cat Gets the Best

Pet Boarding establishment requirements are different in the US and in the UK.

In the US, cat boarding and cat kennels are becoming more common. Still, you might live in an area with little or no choice within reasonable travelling distance of your home.

For the time being, most cat kennels in the US also board dogs, but that is changing.

I’ve prepared this simple checklist to help you choose the best pet boarding option for your Siamese cats. These are questions you might ask on the phone before you visit.

Here we go!

Pet Boarding Phone Checklist

• First, check that the pet boarding business has a vacancy for your dates. If they are full, ask them to recommend someone else. If you’re flexible, tell them they might be able to squeeze you in a few days earlier or later. Unless you have a personal recommendation from a friend whose cat expertise you trust, don’t feel pressured to book by phone. You’ll want to visit to check up on the facilities and the people running the business. You might also want to shop around some more.
• Different pet boarding establishments have different vaccination requirements. Bottom line: if no vaccinations are required or if they are willing to be ‘flexible’, I wouldn’t board my cats there. In the wild, cats don’t usually live in close quarters. In the pet boarding establishment they do - so extra care must be taken to stop the spread of disease and infections. The presence of vaccinated cats is a good first line of defence. Also, cats are like us in that they are more vulnerable to catching something when they are a little stressed and anxious, perhaps on a new diet and eating at different times of the day.

note. If you, breed and show cats then pet boarding is probably not going to work for you. Unaltered cats, especially the boys, are not welcome in cat boarding establishments. Even if they do welcome your show or breeding cats, you might fill up the cat kennel! A commercial pet sitting agency or a private deal with friends or family might be your only practical option. Consider extending your own outside runs and cages so that no ‘accidents’ occur while someone else is looking after your queens that usually live in your home!

• Do they board dogs? If they do, how close are the cats to the dogs? Ideally your cat will not want to hear excited dogs so close to home!

• Do the owners or staff have cats of their own? This will tell you whether the business is a labor of love or solely a business for the love of profit.
• Many pet boarding businesses boast about their ‘family’ room where cats can mix, play and enjoy each other’s company. Ask whether this is the case. In some countries, such as the UK, this is actually against the law. There are still many cat diseases that don’t have 100% reliable vaccines. To place your cat in close proximity with others opens up the possibility for your Siamese to catch something. Even if they schedule individual visits to the family room, be aware that soft furnishings, scratching posts, toys, dirt trays and drinking containers cannot be sterilized between cats. Although the rooms may look nice to us, a home away from home with a TV or radio perhaps, they are NOT desirable at all for your cat’s health. Much better in my view that your cat enjoys its own individual large clean space.
• Ask about the size of the cat accommodation. The minimum which just allows your cat to stretch and turn around should be just that, a minimum. You are looking for something roomier.
• Do they have large cat houses so you can keep your cats together as a family? Siamese cats often have close relationships with their family group. If they don’t get aggressive when close to one another, keeping them together is probably the best option.
• Ask about heating or cooling. The ideal is to provide the same comforts your cats enjoy at home.
• Do the pet boarding owners take problem cats? Not that I am implying your cats are a problem but it’s important to know that if they are on medication they can complete their treatment. Some cats can be problematic when in new surroundings or away from their ‘person’, so check that the owners are comfortable with this and can deal with it!
• Ask what types of food they feed their cats. If they don’t have your brand ask if you can bring your own. This is important for some Siamese because combining the anxiety of a new environment with a drastic change of diet could result in discomfort, stress or illness.
• What is the minimum age of cat they will board? If you should get another kitten it is good to know what your boarding options are.
• Ask how many cat condos or cat houses they have. A very large number might indicate a conveyor belt approach to your cats’ care. If they have a large staff this could be fine but for continuity and to pick up on any health problems early it is a good idea to have the same carer throughout.
• How long they have been open? Experience with all the usual problems with boarding animals takes a bit of time to acquire. If the establishment is new, what experience did the owner bring to the business?
• Which vet do they use? Do you know him or her? If not, you might like to ask around to see if they have a good local reputation.
• What are the pet boarding opening hours, and between what times can you book in and collect your cat?
• How much does the pet boarding cost? (and don’t forget to ask about the extras) If you have your holiday dates ask them for the total cost – you’ll avoid any misunderstanding when you come to pick up your cat. Some cat boarding establishments charge by the day and others by arrival/leaving time so it’s worth checking - you might save a day’s fee.
• While asking your questions, try to assess their professionalism, love and care of cats, their honesty and their helpfulness. You never know when you might have to call on that helpfulness if your travel plans go awry and you need to change your booking!

If you like the sound of them over the phone, make an appointment for a visit. Of course if they have been recommended by someone you trust, you might decide to reserve right away.

If you phoned them just to confirm your friends’ recommendation and you expect to book the cat in over the phone, make sure you have the following at hand:

• The vaccination certificates so you can quote the expiry dates.
• All the details about your cat they are likely to ask such as age, food preferences, and health issues, allergies, likes and dislikes. The person who knows the cat best should make the call. You do want the pet boarding owners to have accurate records.

The next section gives you an idea of what to look for during your visit. Armed with the following knowledge you will be very much the cat accommodation expert.

Pet Boarding Visit Checklist

You want the best for your lovely Siamese cats! Many cat boarding establishments won’t get full marks – so you’ll have to compare and contrast and prioritize. If the cat boarding places all fall short, Pet Sitters or friends and family might be the better option.

The checklist below provides you with current best practice and should be used as a memory jogger when you visit the cat boarding kennel.

• Do they belong to any non-profit pet care organization or charity? Don’t be dazzled by certificates but they are nice to see.
• Ask again about the vaccination requirements and be very wary if they seem to treat the matter casually. Your cat’s life could be at risk if they get an outbreak due to poor hygiene standards and unvaccinated residents.
• How large are the cat houses? The larger the better in my mind.
• Do the cats have a private and quiet place to sleep?
• Are the cats kept inside or do they have outside runs? If they have outside runs, which I like, are the runs easy to clean? Grass looks nice but how can you clean grass between occupants? A roof over this area is good so that your cat can enjoy outdoor smells whatever the weather.
• Best practice standards demand that cats from different households never meet. Wire cages must have either a reasonable gap between them (1 foot 6 inches) or an impermeable barrier from floor to ceiling. In Britain they are called ‘sneeze barriers’
• Ask the owners if they have had any cats that have escaped from their pet boarding facility. If they have ‘lost’ some it might well put you off boarding your clever Siamese with them! There should be a minimum of two doors between your cat and freedom and the doors should not be propped open! Do check, however, because sometimes an escape is the owner’s fault – you’d be surprised at how many cats are carried in their arms or in a flimsy cardboard box into the pet boarding facility.

TIP: Try and choose practical over aesthetics when it comes to cat carriers. Ideally it should have an accident proof base with a raised lip to prevent spills. The walls should be strong enough to frustrate even the strongest and most determined Siamese cat – and the same applies to the door! If you expect to fly with your cat, check out the airline’s requirements and buy that style of carrier. Buy quality when it comes to cat carriers – a cat escaping inside your vehicle is more than a distraction. If your cat is loose you will be trapped in the car as well because I bet your Meezer can get out of the car first!

• Do the individual cat boarding condos have the cat’s and owners’ names prominently displayed? Apart from being efficient, you don’t want any chance of mix-ups if special diets or medications are to be given to your Siamese.
• Is there a scratching post or scratching area? Are the dishes and cat trays clean? Can the cats watch the comings and goings of boarding life?
• Check out the food preparation areas – are they clean, and is there a list of all the current guests complete with their food and medical requirements?

Cat Welfare and Happiness

• Do the cats have a warm, dry and private place to curl up and dream the day away? Check the heating or cooling arrangements – does it cost extra to keep your cat comfortable? If your cat is elderly or unable able to jump well, check that your cat can actually get into its sleeping quarters.
• Does the pet boarding business have a range of cat litters? If your cat is one of the long-haired Siamese relatives, some litters are quite unsuitable. Cats can get quite worried when the litter is unfamiliar and could even develop an urinary tract infection due to stress and restraint. Check that you can bring your own variety of cat litter from home.
• Do the boarded cats look happy and calm? If they’ve just arrived, they might be a little ill at ease but if they are all hiding, that is more worrisome.
• Will the pet boarding owners play with your cat if it loves a human-cat game? Or is this an extra?
• Will they groom your cat? If you do this as a treat or because it is a necessity, your cat will be happiest if this is continued. For some of the fluffier breeds, this can be a must, depending on the texture of the fur.
• Will they give your Siamese cat its prescriptions? A qualified person is required to give injections so if your cat needs them, check on availability and costs now. However, don’t expect the pet boarding owners to be able to administer pills if you find it impossible yourself because of your cat’s aggression!

Has the visit gone well? Have your questions been answered to your satisfaction?

If so, then go ahead, book your cat in now!

TIP: Assume that you will like the cat boarding kennel and get the following organized before you go.

• Write down the precise dates of your holiday. Think about the best times for you to deliver and pick up your cat.
• Have the address, phone number and email where you can be reached during your holiday. If this isn’t possible, organize a friend or relative to contact if there is an emergency.
• Have all vaccination certificates with you. Check first to make sure they don’t run out just before or during their stay.
• Prepare a list of health issues, allergies or any peculiarities your cat may have. This is easy to forget when making the booking, so sort it out now.

• Bring the name and contact details of your usual vet.
• Have a look around your home and make a SMALL list of cat toys and perhaps a favourite jumper (they like to sleep on) and when making the booking you can ask if it is ok to bring these.

You now know more about pet boarding than just about anyone! Good luck with finding the best holiday home ever for your Siamese.

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