Tips for Choosing a Great Feline Boarding Facility

When you need to leave home for a while, you'll have to plan for the care of your cat. You have a few options:

• Take the kitty with you
• Hire an in-home cat sitter
• Leave your cat at a boarding facility

If you decide that the best option for your cat is to use a boarding facility, the next step will be finding a good one that meets your needs. Here are some tips for finding a good cat boarding facility

Start by Asking for Referrals

Start gathering a list of potential boarding facilities that accept cats by asking your friends, family, and the staff at your veterinary clinic for referrals. It's great when you personally know someone who has used the kennel or when you know your veterinary staff approves of the facility.

Check for Licensure and Insurance

Find out what your state's requirements are for licensure, inspection, and insurance for pet boarding facilities and ask potential facilities for proof that they are in compliance. When they are, it shows that they're aware of and following any laws there might be for cat kennels, and that's a good thing.

Interview the Owners and Workers

Sit down with the owner and, if possible, meet as many of the staff members as possible before you schedule a stay for your cat at a new kennel. Nothing can replace meeting people face-to-face and getting an idea of how friendly they are and how they feel about cats.

Here are some questions to ask when you're talking with facility personnel:

• What is the kennel's procedure if there is a building emergency?
• How does the staff evaluate whether a cat has a medical problem?
• Does the kennel have the ability to transport your cat to a veterinarian if necessary?
• Do staff members have experience with any specific issues your cat might have?
• Can care-takers give your cat medicine if it's required?
• What training is provided for workers at the facility?
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  What is the experience level of owners and staff members in handling and dealing with cats?
• Will your cat get playtime outside of her cage or kennel?
• Does the facility require certain vaccinations or health checks before cats can stay?

Tour the Facility

You should always ask for a tour of the boarding facility before your cat stays there. You should be able to see where your cat will stay and what the conditions are in all areas of the facility.

Here are some specific things to pay attention to when you're touring the kennel:

• Are the temperature and airflow comfortable?
• Does everything look clean and well-organized?
• Do cats have a completely separate area where they won't have to see or hear dogs?
• Do the kennels or cages have lots of space and multiple levels for cats to use and feel comfortable with?
• Is the cat area quiet and peaceful?

Most cats do best in facilities where they don't have to see, smell, or hear dogs, the cat area is quiet or has classical music playing softly, and they have a spacious cage where they can use multiple levels to get comfortable.

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