Getting Your Cat Ready for a Cattery Stay
· Doubtless Bay Pet Resort
Going away is easier when you know your cat is safe and happy. A little planning helps your cat settle in and makes drop-off quick and easy.
The short version: book early, add notes about your cat when you book, check vaccinations, bring a secure carrier and pack something that smells like home.
1. Book early
School holidays and summer fill up fast. Peak season runs from 19 December to 10 January, so book as early as you can. See cattery rates and book.
2. Tell us about your cat when you book
When you book, you can add notes about your cat. Please put any special instructions or information in your booking, so our team has everything ready before your cat arrives.
There are three places for notes:
- Medical notes: any health problems, allergies or medication. Include the medicine name, how much to give and when. Medications are $2 a day.
- Food notes: if your cat is on a special diet, eats their own food, or has foods they cannot have. You can also add Addiction Wild Islands wet food as an extra.
- General notes: anything else that helps us look after your cat, like if they are shy, hate being picked up, love a chin scratch or like to hide.
If something changes after you book, let us know before drop-off.
3. Check vaccinations
To keep every cat healthy, all cats staying with us must be fully vaccinated. Before a stay, your cat needs:
- an up-to-date Feline 3-in-1 vaccination
- at least 10 days since their last kitten vaccination
- a copy of their vaccination record at drop-off
If you are not sure whether your cat is up to date, check with your vet a few weeks before you go. See our vaccination requirements or read our Cat Vaccination Guide.
4. Bring a secure carrier
All cats must arrive in a sturdy, secure cat carrier that closes properly. A frightened cat can slip out of a flimsy carrier in seconds, and we are a rural property with farm animals around.
Need a good one? We have the Brooklands cat carrier, with a top opening that makes it easy to get cats in and out.
5. Help your cat like the carrier
Many cats only see their carrier when they are off to the vet, so they learn to dislike it. A week or two before the stay:
- leave the carrier out at home with the door open
- put a soft blanket inside
- drop a few treats in it so it becomes a good place
On the day, a towel over the carrier can help your cat feel hidden and calmer in the car.
6. Pack a few things from home
Familiar smells help cats feel safe. You are welcome to bring:
- a blanket or bed that smells like home
- a favourite toy
- any medication, matching the instructions in your booking notes
- their own food, if you noted it in your booking
Beds and toys can get dirty or damaged during a stay, so bring ones you do not mind getting a bit worn.
What we provide
- Daily meals of Addiction Salmon Bleu, so you do not need to pack food
- Trouble & Trix Ultra-Scoop litter, with trays kept clean
- Daily cleaning and daily pats from our team
7. Drop-off day
- Keep it calm. Cats pick up on rushing and stress.
- Keep your cat inside the night before, so they do not disappear when it is time to go.
- Walk your cat in. For safety, owners bring pets to the cattery on foot from the car park.
- Bring their vaccination record and any medication.
It is normal for cats to be shy at first
Some cats settle in straight away. Others hide or eat a little less for the first day or so while they get used to new sights and smells. This is normal, and our team keeps a close eye on every cat. If we are worried about anything, we will contact you.
Coming home
Give your cat some quiet time to settle back in. If you have other cats, they may sniff each other for a while, because your cat will smell different after their stay. Keep things calm and let them sort it out at their own pace.
Questions before you book? Read our FAQs or get in touch. We are happy to help.
This is general advice and does not replace advice from your own vet.
Sources
International Cat Care: Choosing a boarding cattery