The welfare of companion animals in boarding kennels and catteries during owner absences depends heavily on housing standards, social management, and enrichment provision.
Boarding facility welfare depends on physical standards and management quality. Dogs in kennels with inadequate space, poor ventilation, and no enrichment or human interaction experience significant welfare compromise. Cats, which are particularly sensitive to environmental change, often show signs of feline stress including upper respiratory infections and reduced feeding in poorly managed catteries. High-welfare boarding provides individual run sizes adequate for exercise, regular human interaction, enrichment, and separation between species. Alternative options including professional house-sitting and in-home pet care often provide better welfare for individual animals by maintaining familiar routines and environments.