As a pet owner, finding the best care for your furry friend while you’re away is important. Whether you’re going on holiday or simply need to board your pet for a few days, choosing the right cattery or kennel is essential.

Fortunately, you don’t have to risk signing up for some horror story catteries or kennels you may have heard rumours of. Instead, keep in mind these five tips to ensure you select the perfect boarding facility for your pet.

#1 – Research the cattery or kennel’s reputation

Every pet owner wants to ensure their beloved pet is safe, secure and well cared for while away. 

That’s why it’s important to research the facility’s reputation before selecting a kennel or cattery. 

A great way to start is to ask family and friends if they have experience with the kennel or cattery you’re considering, as word-of-mouth recommendations can help make an informed decision. 

You can then check online reviews to see what others think of the establishment, but read them all – not just the 5-star ones. Trustpilot and Google reviews are usually the best and most trustworthy places to go since the facility can edit or remove the reviews.

You’ll need to trust your gut here as to whether a cattery or kennel looks good for your pet or not.

For example, a cattery might be good for most pets, but if they’re not good at dealing with cats with special dietary requirements (and your cat does), it might not be best for you.

Researching can give you peace of mind when you have to leave your furry friend for a few days.

#2 – Make sure it’s clean and well-maintained

A great way to tell if a cattery or kennel is suitable for your pet’s stay is simply by looking at it. 

A well-maintained facility not only ensures your beloved cat or dog will be comfortable while you’re away, but it also gives you peace of mind knowing the staff at the facility take their job seriously and treat the animals with respect. 

Any reputable and responsible facility will have staff dedicated to keeping their spaces spotless and living areas in top shape. 

Of course, you can always ask people who have used certain facilities themselves – whether they were pleased with the level of cleanliness is usually indicative of how seriously care is taken.

#3 – Ask about the staff’s qualifications and experience

Sometimes, all you need to do is ask.

While some pet-care facilities will use volunteers, it’s important to ensure that some experienced animal helpers oversee and run the facility you’re looking at. 

And don’t worry; any reputable cattery or kennel will be more than happy to share their qualifications, history, credentials, and experience with you. This is because they know how important it is for pet owners to know their pet is being well looked after.

This information can give you peace of mind while your pet stays in their care. 

Make sure to ask the staff directly about their experience with animals, as well as which qualifications they have when dealing with cats or dogs. Such information should also be available on the facility’s website and up in their offices!

#4 – Find out how everything is run

Ask about what type of food and bedding the cattery or kennel provides and if you can bring your own from home. Some pet owners feel more comfortable providing their pets with familiar sleep necessities, so ask if this is an option. Most catteries and kennels will accommodate your needs as long as they know ahead of time!

This may also be the case with food.

We know how fussy some pets can get when it comes to food, so check whether your preferred facility is happy to help or looks disinterested in your requests. The latter may mean you’ll want to find somewhere else.

#5 – Ask about exercise, social opportunities, and more!

Finally, with all boxes ticked, you’ll want to take some time to find out what your pet’s day-to-day life will be while you’re away.

  • What sort of activities are in place for the animals to get exercise?
  • What sort of socialisation opportunities do the animals have?
  • Are there any limitations or rules in place for mixing animals?
  • Can your pet play with other animals? 
  • How often will it be able to go outside for fresh air and enjoyment? 

These are all important considerations when choosing the right type of holiday accommodation for your pet. 

While most animals do need their alone time, they also need occasional socialisation with other animals. Make sure to ask how the staff monitor and provide meaningful enrichment opportunities while you’re away.

Summary

Overall, choosing the right cattery or kennel doesn’t have to be hard as long as you keep these tips in mind. If you take the time to find a reliable and trustworthy provider for your pet, you can rest assured that they’ll be safe and happy during their stay. 

Plus, if you’re looking for an excellent cattery or kennels in Warrington, then look no further than Hollybank Cattery and Kennels! 

With its experienced staff, excellent facilities and range of services tailored to your pet’s needs, your furry family member is sure to receive the very best care possible here. 

So now you know what to look for and where to go when choosing a cattery or kennel for your pet – so go ahead and book with confidence!

Happy holidaying! 😊🐕😸