Companion Animal Welfare

Cat Boarding Enrichment Standards

Boarding facilities for cats should provide standards of enrichment and stress management that support feline wellbeing during owner absence.

Key Facts

Cats are highly territorial and find novel environments inherently stressful
Fear-free cattery standards include individual pods, visual barriers, and familiar scent items
Vertical space, hiding opportunities, and interactive play reduce stress in boarding cats
Environmental familiarity items such as owner-worn clothing reduce cortisol levels
Cat-only facilities reduce stress from auditory exposure to dogs

Welfare Considerations

Boarding is a significant welfare challenge for cats; facilities that invest in fear-free design and enrichment produce measurable improvements in cat stress indicators.

What You Can Do

Visit catteries before booking and assess enrichment provision
Bring familiar items from home when boarding your cat
Choose cat-only facilities with individual pod accommodation