Companion Animals

Cat Boarding Cattery Assessment Guide

Assessing cattery quality before booking ensures your cat receives appropriate care. Key welfare indicators help cat owners make informed choices.

Key Facts

UK catteries require local authority licensing under Animal Activity Licensing regulations
Minimum standards include space requirements and health checks on admission
Higher welfare catteries provide hiding spaces, elevated perches, and individual outdoor access
CIEH accreditation indicates voluntarily meeting higher welfare standards
Remote CCTV access is increasingly offered by premium catteries

Welfare Considerations

The quality of cattery care significantly affects cat welfare during boarding. Minimum licensed standards prevent worst-case neglect but do not guarantee good welfare. Proactive assessment including site visit, questions about enrichment provision, and observation of cat behaviour in the facility identifies higher welfare providers.

What You Can Do

Visit potential catteries before booking to assess facilities and ask questions
Look for hiding spaces, elevated perches, and evidence of individual cat attention
Consider home boarding by pet sitters as an alternative to catteries for some cats