Companion Animals

Companion Animal Welfare and Feline Boarding Cattery Standards

Boarding cattery standards vary enormously, with welfare-focused facilities providing stress minimisation for cats away from home.

Key Facts

Stress in boarding cats can cause illness including herpesvirus flares and idiopathic cystitis
Individual accommodation with no visual contact between cats is the welfare standard
Dedicated feeding, exercise, and enrichment routines reduce boarding stress
Pheromone diffusers in boarding areas reduce stress markers in housed cats
UK cattery licensing requires minimum standards but welfare-focused facilities exceed these

Welfare Considerations

Boarding cattery quality directly determines cat welfare during owner absence. Choosing facilities with explicit welfare commitments prevents boarding stress from becoming boarding suffering.

What You Can Do

Visit cattery facilities before booking to assess welfare standards
Bring familiar bedding and ask about enrichment provision for your cat
Choose catteries with individual rooms rather than open pen systems