Cat Boarding in Sydney: The Basics
Sydney is a wonderful and lively city, but everyone needs a break from the hustle and bustle of city life sometimes. However, this can be difficult when you have a cat. While our feline friends are certainly part of the family, the fact is that they can be difficult to accommodate when we need to travel.
Travelling is also not good for them. Cats are creatures of habit and routine, and breaking these things can cause them stress. The best solution, then, is to leave them in a supervised, stable environment close to home. That is where cat boarding comes in.
This post will contain the essentials that you need to know about cat boarding to make your experience and that of your cat as easy as possible.
Information gathering
Like how you would research a hotel before going somewhere, you should take a look at several options before selecting the best place for your cat to board. You will want to know what services and amenities they provide, whether they will be a good fit for your cat, and whether they fit within your budget.
- Online research: This is a good place to start. A simple search like “cat boarding in Sydney” will yield plenty of results.
However, do not rely solely on the information you find on the websites of cat hotels. If you find one you like the look of, check out some customer reviews. These can usually be found by doing the same web search but changing “Sydney” for the name of the business, for example, “cat boarding at Animal Tracks Vet.”
- Recommendations: Seek recommendations from friends or family who have cats. First-hand experience is usually great at guiding people towards reliable results.
If you don’t know anyone who has cats, then try asking your cat’s vet. They are often knowledgeable about the different facilities from listening to their customers or speaking to people in their professional network.
Visiting a cat hotel
Websites, pictures, and recommendations can be out of date, so it is worth paying a visit to a facility before you make a final decision. This gives you the opportunity to check a few important things that cannot be done over the Internet.
Most cat boarding facilities know that owners can be uncomfortable leaving their cat in the care of others, and they are happy to arrange a visit to put you at ease.
To get the most out of your visit, here are the two main things you need to check:
- Cleanliness: Take a look at the common areas, individual enclosures, and litter trays. These should be clean, neat and tidy, which shows that staff are attentive and will not neglect your cat’s needs.
Also pay attention to the smells around. Powerful, unpleasant smells could indicate poor hygiene.
- Comfort and ventilation: As well as being clean, you will want to make sure that the environment is spacious, stimulating and well-ventilated. Make sure that there are not so many cats that it feels crowded, that there are toys to play with, and that there are quiet spots where your cat can be alone.
Questions to ask cat hotel staff
Ask about the following topics on your visit or by contacting the facility:
- What vaccines do they require cats to have
- What will happen if your pet requires emergency veterinary care during their stay
- What items you should bring for your cat
- What your cat’s daily routine will be at the facility
- Whether you will receive updates during your cat’s stay
When your cat is unable to stay at home while you travel, cat boarding is as close as they can get. By following the outline above, you should be able to find a reliable service which cares about your cat’s comfort and well-being.
