Cat boarding

Cat boarding refers to overnight boarding of cats during the absence of the owner for example during a holiday or business trip, under the care of trained and experienced staff. It can be offered in a designated, professional boarding facilities, but also in private cat sitters' homes, or the homes of cat owners. Similar to dog boarding facilities, cat boarding facilities are specifically designed to meet the needs of cats, so that they are safe and comfortable during their owners' absence.

Background

The practice of cat boarding has evolved as a solution for housing cats when their owners are away. Cat boarding ranges from traditional sitters to modern cat hotels offering a wide range of entertainment and housing options. Some also use home cat boarding services or look for local cat sitters in their area.

The concept of cat boarding emerged in the early 2000s and since then the industry has been growing steadily. Before World War II, cats in the United States predominantly lived outdoors, but urbanization led to increased indoor living for cats. In places where cats were introduced by humans, for example in New Zealand, cats can pose significant danger to the native wildlife, especially small birds, lizards and rodents. In these countries there are growing calls to reduce the number of free-roaming an feral cats. In 2022, the global market for pet boarding services was valued at US$6.72 billion and is forecast to continue to grow at a strong compound annual growth rate of 8.30% between 2023 and 2030. This expansion is primarily driven by factors such as the growing popularity of pet boarding services, the rise in pet ownership, the trend towards the humanization of pets, and the increasing spending on pet care in both developed and developing countries.

Types

Professional cat boarding

A professional cat boarding facility is a purpose-built facility usually equipped with air conditioning and heating and is staffed by professionally trained staff. Professional cat boarding facilities typically offer a range of amenities, with a variety of equipment and toys to keep guests comfortable and occupied.

Private cat boarding

Home cat boarding is overnight cat care provided by a cat sitter in the privacy of their own home. This boarding service is popular with anxious but strictly social cats, and it typically works with a small, recurring clientele.

In-home boarding

In-home boarding is a form of overnight cat care that takes place in the cat owner's home. Many cat owners prefer to leave their cats in their own home, in their familiar surroundings, with a known and trusted person looking after them. This is a commonly used service for, for example, non-social or aggressive cats.