This is Part 6 of a series on Fluffy’s Staycation: What to do with cats who stay behind while you travel. In conjunction with this series, PetSmart is sponsoring a giveaway in which the lucky winner will win an overnight stay and TLC at a PetSmart PetsHotel. To enter, just leave a comment on this post, and on every post in this series. Each comment serves as your entry in the giveway; no more than one entry per post per household, please. Winners will be drawn at random on June 15th. Details here.
Sometimes, it’s just not feasible to have a cat sitter look after Fluffy in your absence. If that’s the case, you can either stay home or find a boarding facility. Today we’ll cover how to find a place to board Fluffy, and how what to look for when you evaluate a boarding facility.
HOW TO FIND A CAT BOARDING FACILITY
First, ask for referrals from friends, neighbors, co-workers, family members and your veterinarian. Specifically, make sure they have boarded cats, not dogs, since a great dog kennel might not always be optimized for great cat care. Also, check out Yelp and Catster Local. You can not only find facilities, but read reviews so you can identify any red flags before you visit.
Other sources for finding a boarding facility include:
One of the most important factors is whether or not it is a cats-only facility, and if not, how insulated are the cat kennels from the dog kennels. If, from within the cat kennel, you can hear dogs barking, it will likely be a stressful stay for your cat and you should seek another facility. Ideally, the cat kennel should be separate, with its own ventilation system (so the cats cannot smell the dogs.)
The kennel area should be constructed of surfaces that can easily wipe clean–there should be no carpeted surfaces that can harbor fleas, dirt and germs.
The cage itself should provide enough room within which the cat can move, and the litter box should be segregated from the main cage, with separate ventilation, so that your cat is not whiffing litter box odors for the duration of her stay.
If you have cats that will be bunking together they should be accommodated in a space with adequate room for two, not crammed into a space for one. Many newer kennels are constructed with windows or port holes between cages that can be opened to allow multiple cats to move between cages. Make sure that if your cats like to sleep cuddled together that there is space for them to do so.
The facility should provide playtime for the cats each day in an area they can stretch out and run in. Some charge extra for this service.
INSPECTION CHECKLIST Here’s what you should look for and the questions you should ask when you inspect the boarding facility:
If you have a cat on medication, will they administer it?
Are there separate boarding areas for cats that are sound-proofed from the dog area? Does the cat area have ventilation separate from the dog area?
How big is each kennel?
Are the cages clean and free from excrement? Is the kennel area odor free?
Are the cages far enough away from each other to avoid close contact between cats?
How often are the cages, dishes, (and litter boxes) cleaned, and with what? How are the cages cleaned between boarders?
Will they bathe your cat if she becomes soiled with urine or excrement?
What is the regular feeding schedule, and can it be adapted if your cat has special needs? Can you bring the cat’s regular food?
Who actually works with the animals? Ask to meet them.
What are their admit and pick up hours? What if your return is delayed?
Which vaccinations are required, and which are recommended? Are vaccinations that you administered acceptable or do they need to be given by a veterinarian?
Do they require testing for certain diseases such as feline leukemia (FeLV)? Are there solid partitions between the cats, and are the cages far enough away from each other to avoid close contact between cats?
Is there a veterinarian or emergency clinic nearby?
Is there a time you can call to check on how your cat is doing?
What are their security provisions? Do the cages have good latches?
Is the facility accredited by the American Boarding Kennels Association?
Are there separate boarding areas for cats?
In addition to accommodations, the facility might offer additional services including pick up and drop off, TV time for pets, Playtime, TLC time, grooming and training. Some even have webcams, or will post photos of their guests online so you can do a virtual check-in while you’re away.
BEFORE YOU DROP OFF YOUR CAT…
Before you drop your cat off, here’s what you need to do:
Get a health certification and vaccination records from your vet.
If permitted, pack her favorite blanket and toy(s), and an item of apparel with your smell on it. Spritz some Feliway on the bedding.
Pack her food and treats, plus a little extra.
Prepare a sheet with care and contact information. Most kennels will have you fill one out at check-in, but if you do it beforehand, you’re less likely to leave anything out. Information should include:
Medical information
Behavior information
Playtime info (favorite toys)
Mealtime preferences
Contact info and itinerary
Local Contact (IMPORTANT! If your cat freaks out while boarded and someone needs to come and get her, it’s good to identify someone for this purpose.)
Some cats do great when boarded, some not so much. But if you have a great experience, you’ll have successfully identified a safe place for your cat to enjoy a staycation, freeing you to travel worry-free in the future.
And don’t forget to book early! The good Kitteh Hotels fill up fast!
This is Part 2 of a series on Fluffy’s Staycation: What to do with cats who stay behind while you travel. In conjunction with this series, PetSmart is sponsoring a giveaway in which the lucky winner will win an overnight stay and TLC at a PetSmart PetsHotel. To enter, just leave a comment on this post, and on every post in this series. Each comment serves as your entry in the giveway; no more than one entry per post per household, please. Details here.
If you’re planning to travel while your cats enjoy a staycation, how do you decide what to do with them while you’re gone?
HOME ALONE
Most cats, given the choice, would prefer to stay at home with familiar smells, sounds and toys. If you’re going to be away for just a couple of days, leaving them at home alone with extra kibble and water is not a bad solution. However, it’s less practical if you have more than one or two cats, because the litter boxes will fill up and you’ll come home to a house that reeks of cat pee. And obviously, this is not an option for cats on medication.
Home Alone Tips:
Buy a couple of disposable litter boxes to ensure your cats won’t be dissuaded to use a filthy litter box.
If you have a cat door, secure it before you leave on your trip.
If you’ve ever had a problem with ants, nest the food bowls into saucers or plates with water, creating a “moat” so that ants can’t get to the food.
If you have outdoor cats (ferals and strays, for example) that you feed, you should have a neighbor drop by each morning or evening to leave food for them.
Hiring a catsitter is a good option. Someone will come to your house once or twice a day (or even stay at your house 24/7) and offer in-home care. Even better if the catsitter is a family member or a friend with whom the cats are already familiar.
This is probably your best option when you travel on extended trips, or even for weekend trips if your cat needs medication or other daily attention. As with the Home-Alone option, if you have a cat door, secure it before you leave on your trip. We’ll cover how to select a catsitter later in this series.
BOARDING AT VET
If you have a cat with special medical needs, you might consider boarding her at a veterinary facility. If so, it should be at a facility in which dogs and cats are separated (many cats will get stressed by constant barking), and sick cats are not in the same quarters as boarders. If your cat suffers from severe separation anxiety (for example, won’t eat or drink when you’re gone), a vet is available to administer fluids, food, and a sedative if necessary.
BOARDING AT KENNEL or KITTY SPA
A boarding facility is a popular option, and some offer state of the art technology including webcams and spa treatments. Later in this series we’ll provide guidance on how to select a boarding facility for your cat. (And don’t forget to leave a comment on each of the posts in this series to be entered into the PetSmart giveaway for an overnight stay and TLC at a PetSmart PetsHotel.)
In short, here’s a summary of your options:
Home Alone
Usually fine for very short trips (3 days or less)
Limited by litterbox capacity
Fine for cats accustomed to a kibble diet (not a good option for cats who primarily eat wet food, since a dietary change is not recommended while you’re away from home)
If you have more than a couple of cats, a catsitter is probably a better option
Catstitter
Best option – cat stays in her home, but someone’s there to look in on her
Many catsitters are trained in administering medications
Many catsitters will double as housesitters and will water plants, etc.
Boarding at Vet
Might be the only option if your cat has special needs
Best option if your cat suffers from separation anxiety
Make sure your cat is in an area separate from dogs and sick animals
Kennel or Kitty Spa
Most kennels and kitty spas can accommodate special-needs cats
Make sure your cat is in an area separate from dogs–ideally with its own ventilation system
In addition to purrsonal references, sites like Catster Local and Yelp can provide online rating and reviews that can help you in your decision-making.
The bottom line is, base your decision on what best suits your cat’s temperament and needs.
If you’re planning a vacation of any length, it’s wise to consider doing a trial run first to see how your cat fares before leaving her with an untested catsitter or dropping her at a boarding facility for a 3-week stay. You don’t want to get a phone call a few days into a European vacation telling you that Fluffy is refusing to eat and drink. See how she does over a long weekend. If she’s none the worse for wear, that’s great. If she appears to have been traumatized by the ordeal, you’ll have time to consider other options before you leave on your trip… or opt to have a staycation, yourself, instead!
We’ll delve deeper into each of these options this week, so stay tuned.
If you have a good story about your cat’s staycation–whether it’s a cautionary tale or a funny anecdote, tell me about it. If published in The Cat’s Meow, you’ll get five additional entries in the PetSmart giveaway.
Last week we covered how to determine whether or not to travel with your cat, and what to do when you do. If you determined that Fluffy is better off at home, congratulate yourself on a wise decision. Most cats–even though they might miss your company–are happier not to join you on your trip.
Which brings us to this week’s series on NOT traveling with your cat.
This week we’ll look at different options for your cat’s staycation. Whether you just leave a pile of kibble and water and let the cats have the house to themselves, hire a catsitter, or opt for boarding, we’ll give you a few tips and tricks to ensure that your cat has as good a time during her staycation as you have on your trip.
And, we’re having a giveaway! PetSmart is sponsoring the prize: an overnight stay plus TLC at one of their pet hotels.
More than half of all pets are left behind when their families travel. PetSmart® knows pet parents want only the best care possible for their loved ones while away, so PetSmart PetsHotel® associates go to great lengths to give pet guests the personal TLC to make them feel right at home.
Here are just a few of the things PetSmart PetsHotel® associates do to keep their clients purring:
No Request too Great
Rising to these unique requests is just part of what makes a pet’s stay at the PetSmart PetsHotel so special. Whether it’s the spoon-fed care of an affectionate associate or an associate rocking a dog named Mitzi to sleep to her parent’s lullaby over the Bone Booth™ telephone, these are just a few examples of care provided at the PetsHotel. More unique requests fulfilled include:
Reading articles from the day’s newspaper to a kitty guest at bedtime. This kitty’s pet parents make it a nightly ritual, and the associates at the Overland Park, Kan. PetsHotel happily continue the tradition to help make their guest feel at home.
Willow Grove, Pa. PetsHotel associates welcoming a shepherd mix who was rescued from a shelter in Israel. This pet guest only understands Hebrew, so his pet parents provided a list of commands in the dog’s native language. The PetsHotel was happy to quickly learn the Hebrew commands, making the guest feel right at home.
Spending extra time with Georgia, a Hurricane Katrina survivor and very timid, anxious Bloodhound mix. She wasn’t very good at making friends or being away from home, so during her first overnight stay at the PetsHotel in Springfield, Mo., Georgia was scared of her new surroundings and hesitant to eat. Throughout her stay at the PetsHotel, the resident pet trainer worked with Georgia to help her make new friends, learn to enjoy group play and happily eat dinner out of the palm of associates’ hands.
Fun for Everyone
While their families travel, feline guests can relax in private Kitty Cottages with comforts from home and play with trained pet care specialists for exclusive “TLC time.” During a pet’s stay, pets can take calls from their parents on the Bone Booth to check in or just say “mrow!”
Security and Safety
Just like pet parents, PetSmart’s number one priority is the safety, happiness and well-being of pets — that’s why security and safety are cornerstones of the PetsHotel. Upon check-in, pet guests receive personalized I.D. collars. Throughout their stay, guests are supervised 24-hours a day by the watchful eyes of trained caregivers. For extra protection, the PetsHotel has closed-circuit video cameras throughout the hotel in addition to keypad-secured double doorways to the interior. And, with a veterinarian always on call and Banfield® veterinary hospital inside PetSmart, medical help is never far if needed.
Booking Reservations
All cats are welcome at the PetsHotel, provided they have necessary vaccinations (FVRCP and Rabies). Cats stay for $14 per night. A la carte services and upgrades range from $3 to $16. Click here to find a PetsHotel near you.
PETSMART GIVEAWAY
PRIZE
Winner will receive an overnight stay at a PetSmart PetsHotel, plus TLC time.
HOW TO ENTER THE PETSMART GIVEAWAY
Leave a comment on this post, and on every post in the series. Each comment counts as one entry in the contest. No more than one entry per household for each post. If there are five Staycation posts, you can leave five comments–on on each post– for a total of five entries. We reserve the right to disqualify anyone if it looks like you’re cheating. Comments left prior to 11:59 PT on June 14th will be entered in the drawing. The winner will be drawn at random from all entries.
WINNER ANNOUNCED
The winner will be drawn and announced on Monday, June 15th.
GOT A GOOD BOARDING/CATSITTER STORY?
Whether it’s a cautionary tale or a funny story, tell it to me. If it’s a good one and we feature it on The Cat’s Meow, you’ll get five extra entries in the contest.
WHAT ABOUT THE ROAD TRIP CONTEST?
You can still enter that contest (no more than one entry per post per household) until June 20th. The winner will be announced on June 21st. Click here for details.
Sometimes, it’s just not feasible to have a cat sitter look after Fluffy in your absence. If that’s the case, you can either stay home or find a boarding facility. Today we’ll cover how to find a place to board Fluffy, and how what to look for when you evaluate a boarding facility.
The kennel area should be constructed of surfaces that can easily wipe clean–there should be no carpeted surfaces that can harbor fleas, dirt and germs.
Here’s what you should look for and the questions you should ask when you inspect the boarding facility:
