Tips & Guidelines for a Successful Visit
Comfort
Line your carrier with soft bedding, extra points for a pee pad layered on top! You can also spray the carrier with a comforting pheromone called Feliway (available at all pet stores and online).
Familiarity
Give your cat access to their carrier all the time, or even just a few days prior to your visit. It will help get them acclimated and they won't be as suspicious when it comes time to load up.
Loading up
To avoid needing your own trip to the doctor, we recommend a low stress method of loading your cat into their carrier. Stand the carrier on its end with the gate open (toward the ceiling). Pick up your cat, holding their back feet together, then gently lower them into the carrier. They don't see what is happening because they are essentially backing in to the carrier.
"Happy Drugs"
Some of our patients like to show their bravery by demonstrating how fierce they are. That is a perfectly natural response to an unfamiliar situation and we know these ferocious felines are still good kitties. In these cases, we may ask you to give a medication at home prior to the visit to make sure things go smoothly.
Preparation Guidelines for Your Upcoming Boarding Visit
Belongings: What should I NEED to bring for my cat's boarding stay?
Please make sure to bring any medications your cat needs to take. If you have a tried-and-true method of administering medication to your cat, please bring any supplies if needed for us to be able to replicate your process.
Belongings: What should I NOT bring for my cat's boarding stay?
Nothing with string/yarn – even if your kitty does fine with this type of thing at home, our policy is to never leave a pet with anything that could conceivably be considered a choking hazard. This is also why we require collars and harnesses to be removed prior to your cat being placed in their boarding condo. If your kitty is feisty, we will ask you to do this for us at the time of drop-off. If you have any concerns about identification for your cat in case of emergency, we highly recommend having a microchip placed. If your pet already has a microchip but you’re not sure if the contact information is up to date, we can get you the information you need in order to check.
Dishes, litter, litterboxes – we have our own and we try to avoid using yours from home in case they get lost or mixed up with our supplies. If you have a special circumstance, please let us know and we can make exceptions to this policy as needed.
Belongings: What OPTIONAL items am I allowed to bring for my cat's boarding stay?
Bedding - We have plenty of soft blankets and bedding, but you are welcome to bring bedding from home if you'd like.
Toys/Scratchers - Cardboard scratchpads are allowed, as are any toys that don't have a string (potential choking hazard).
Food from home – we offer our “House” food (Science Diet Adult dry food) at no additional cost, but you are more than welcome to bring your cat’s food from home. This can help avoid any potential gastrointestinal upset that a change in diet might cause. Out of an abundance of caution, we do not allow any raw food or treats. If your cat normally eats raw food, one option is to cook portions of it at home and have us feed that
Can I visit my cat during their boarding stay?
No