The purrfect cattery

It’s a big decision for cat owners who are about to go on holiday and need to find the right cattery for their beloved pet.

Here are some top tips to help you.

Start by making a list of potential catteries – find details of all licensed catteries in your area here: www. findpetboarding.com (which also shows catteries approved by International Cat Care (formerly Feline Advisory Bureau).

You can’t beat personal recommendations, so to narrow your search, ask friends, family or your vet. We strongly recommend that you visit a cattery in advance of boarding your cats - a well run cattery will be happy to show you round.

Depending on your cat’s habits, you need to know if a cattery has an indoor or outdoor area for the cats to run around in.

There should be enough ventilation to make sure that no airborne diseases are spread between the cats.

Check that the cattery block has a working smoke alarm and / or heat censor.

When you visit the cattery, take a look at the other cats there - do they look happy and content? Are they stimulated enough?

Check for general cleanliness of the units, and of litter trays and feeding bowls.

Talk to the proprietor to get a feel for how they will take care of your cat. They should be welcoming, ask plenty of questions about your cat and allow you to have a good look around the cattery.

All licensed catteries should insist on seeing an up-to-date vaccination card, showing recent (within the last 12 months) vaccinations against cat flu and enteritis. If they do not, go somewhere else as it could mean that your cat will be exposed to diseases from other cats.

Keep your cat indoors the night before taking it in and transport it to the cattery in its usual carrier.

And you may want to bring any favourite toys, as well as some reasonably sized bedding for your cat to sleep on – a blanket or a jumper is suitable.