Are you thinking about boarding your cat soon? Kitties are more independent than dogs, so it’s not really uncommon for Fluffy to stay home while her humans are away. However, boarding really is a safer option, especially if you will be gone for several days or longer. Our feline friends are very mischievous, and can easily get into trouble if left alone. Fluffy is also very emotional, and can quickly get depressed if she is by herself too long. As your cat boarding kennel, we’re always happy to answer questions about boarding your kitty at a pet hotel. We’re tackling some of the top ones from kitty owners in this blog from Valley Pet Hotel, your Rialto, CA pet kennel, also serving Bloomington, CA.
What Vaccinations Are Required For Cat Boarding?
Good kennels tend to be very, very diligent about requiring certain vaccinations for their furry wards, and with good reasons. Any time that multiple pets are in close contact means that there is going to be a higher risk of the transmission of diseases or parasites. Decent kennels take every possible precaution to reduce the risk of the pets in their care contracting anything. Proper cleaning and disinfection policies are key, but this really starts with ensuring that all of the pets in the facility have been vaccinated against the most commonly transmitted diseases.
For kitties, the requirement will typically be that Fluffy should have received her core vaccines. For cats, that usually means the kitty will need to be current on rabies, FeLV (Leukemia), and distemper (FVRCP) vaccinations. Ask your kennel and your veterinarian for specific information.
Of course, it’s always a good idea to have your feline buddy thoroughly examined by your vet prior to boarding.
Can Staff Administer Medications To My Cat?
If your feline friend has to take medications regularly, then boarding is definitely going to be a safer option. Kennel staff is typically able to administer medications. You may need to fill out a form and/or provide some information about the medicine your feline pal needs.
How Often Is The Cat Boarding Kennel Cleaned?
When looking into facilities, it’s important to make sure that your pet will be staying in a place that is not only comfortable and hopefully fun, but also clean. Cats are extremely clean animals, and get quite distressed by things like dirty bowls and unchanged litter boxes.
What Comfort Items Can I Bring For Fluffy?
Catteries do vary a bit when it comes to what they do and do not allow. Ask if you can bring Fluffy’s food, litter, toys, bedding, and/or blankets. A little comfort from home can go a long way in keeping your furry pal happy and calm during her stay. It’s also a good idea to pack a bit extra, just in case.
Is There A Veterinarian Affiliated With The Cat Boarding Kennel?
Even if you were to find the ultimate, top-of-the-line dream kennel, they won’t be able to guarantee that pets in their care will never get sick or injured. After all, Fluffy and Fido are susceptible to many different types of illness and injuries, some of which can come on suddenly, without prior symptoms. Find out if the kennel has a vet associated with it, or if not, what their procedures are for handling medical emergencies.
How Are Emergencies Handled?
Speaking of emergencies, it’s also important to be clear on what the cat sitting kennel’s policies and procedures are. You may need to clarify your preferences here.
It’s also very important to make sure that you have a trustworthy backup contact. This is crucial, as they may be acting on your authority in case of an emergency. Don’t underestimate the importance of this! While we do all we can to avoid emergencies, we can’t guard against every possible issue that could arise.
What Perks Do You Offer For Kitties?
More and more kennels are offering various perks and upgrades these days. This is a natural evolution from the bare-bones kennels of yesteryear. Part of this is due to a greater understanding of animals’ physical, emotional, and mental health needs. We’ve also just found more and more ways to spoil our furry friends, and have brought them along with us as technology has advanced.
Here at Valley Pet Hotel, we offer the following amenities:
- Catnip cocktail
- Playtime
- Solo laser tag
- Dining Package
- Nail Trim
- Cat Cuddle Time per day
- Jungle gym
- R&R Time
- R& R Playtime Package
Feel free to ask questions about these amenities!
Can My Cats Stay Together?
Multi-cat households are not uncommon at all. If Fluffy and Mittens are siblings and best buds, it may be only natural for you to want them to be able to share a facility when being boarded.
Do I Need A Reservation?
There’s a bit of leeway on this one, as many kennels are more than happy to accommodate last-minute requests. We also understand that sometimes things pop up unexpectedly. You may have to leave town for a last-minute business trip or to take care of personal business. We’re happy to accommodate as much as possible. However, there are some caveats.
The first—and most obvious—would be vacancies, or lack thereof. We definitely wouldn’t recommend waiting until the last minute to make your reservation, especially during a busy boarding time, such as the holidays. Even if we do have openings, you would need to make sure that your feline pal is current on her vaccinations.
Our general advice? Book as far in advance as possible, especially if you are going to be booking a stay for your kitty during peak travel times, such as the holidays.
What Is Your Cancellation Policy?
Sometimes plans change: that’s just part of life. However, it’s important to be clear on kennel cancellation policies. If a kennel has booked a space for your pet, they may be turning other clients away. It’s reasonable to expect some sort of charge or fee for last minute cancellations. What often varies is the time frame within which a cancellation would trigger a fee. This is just good information to know.
How Often Will You Check On My Cat?
Like any other business, kennels typically have a daily routine that they stick to. Typically, there will be morning and evening rounds, when pets are fed and their kennels cleaned, with people checking on pets throughout the day. It’s not a bad idea to get a clearer picture of timelines, though.
This is also something you may want to discuss with kennel staff. For instance, if your pet tends to get distressed in new environments, you may want to book extra snuggles and cuddles.
Finally, keep in mind that there really is no such thing as a bad question, especially when you are starting out at a new kennel. We always are happy to welcome questions, and strive to provide both great care and great service!
Book Your Pet A Stay At Our Rialto, CA Pet Boarding Kennel
Do you need to find a great kennel for your feline friend? Are you looking for a top-notch cat boarding kennel in the insert area? Please feel free to contact us here at Valley Pet Hotel, your Rialto, CA pet kennel, also serving Bloomington, CA.
