Services
Cat boarding solutionsin Ferndown
If you are looking for a reliable cattery service to look after your feline friend while you are travelling, then you have come to the right place.
Fantastic accommodation designed for your cats
Over the years, the team Ferndown Cattery has built a solid reputation for providing top-quality cattery services. We have a dedicated team who are well-trained to take care of a variety of cat breeds. Our team never compromises of the quality of service we offer you and your pet.
A little bit about the Cattery and our Philosophy
Although the cattery is located in Ferndown, it is set in a quiet garden setting well away from the road and at the back of our bungalow where it is totally secure. As cat owners ourselves, we treat each cat as if they were our own and pride ourselves on our first-class service. Each and every cat is very special to us and all are treated as individuals and we are committed to their health, happiness and wellbeing whilst they are in our care.
Cats need more than just a place to stay, and the people who love them need to know that at the Ferndown Cattery they will receive all the care and attention they deserve. We are committed to ensuring your peace of mind by providing our feline guests with a special ‘home from home’ in a safe, secure and relaxed environment with caring professionals who cater to their needs.
Our guests enjoy superior accommodation in spacious insulated and thermostatically controlled heated chalets, designed with your cat’s needs in mind. We know cats particularly like having a quiet, protected area to hide and sleep, and being able to jump up and down to different levels. We do more than just clean and feed. We take the time to provide pampering, grooming, stroking and lots of hugs
At Ferndown Cattery the cats are looked after by the same people every day, we do not employ lots of different part time staff. There is therefore a continuity of care. Our total attention to detail, cleaning, feeding and care of our guests guarantees that your cats are well looked after, making it as much as possible, a home from home for them. The cats get to know us and we them and because of this we are very aware if a cat starts behaving differently. This enables us to pick up on any potential problems quickly and sort them out. We also get to know the individual likes and dislikes of our guests.
What to look for when viewing boarding catteries
What kind of welcome?
Any cattery worth its salt will welcome a visit from a prospective client. The staff should show a genuine interest in your cat, and it is worth asking how much daily attention your cat would receive.
Are the residents happy?
Take a peep at the boarded cats. Do they look happy? Do they have things to keep them stimulated, like scratching posts or an interesting view? Check whether you can leave toys and bedding with them (most catteries encourage this).
How’s the security?
Every cat run on the premises must be protected by double doors or a safety passage running the entire length of the units. A few cats manage to escape from poorly organised catteries every year – make sure yours isn’t one of them.
Separate living quarters
Mixing cats from different homes together in a boarding cattery is not allowed. Cats get into fights and disease can spread much more easily. If your cat is housed outside, its unit should be separated from other units by either a gap of at least two feet or a full-height sneeze-barrier. This must be of solid material. Indoor units, too, should be separated by impervious barriers.
Access to daylight and fresh air is important. It’s highly advisable for indoor catteries to provide outdoor runs – again separated by full-height solid barriers – to prevent your cat breathing only shared air, which is more likely to spread infection.
Warmth and comfort
Units should be properly insulated, and it’s worth asking what material they’re lined with – fibre glass, rock wool or polypropylene would be good options. A sun shelf should be provided close to the window of the living quarters.
Thermostatically controlled heating, which can be adjusted to the cat’s requirements, is advisable as well – especially for outdoor catteries.
Nice surroundings?
The whole environment, including the gardens, should be well cared for, and everything in the cattery – surfaces, litter trays, feeding bowls – should be scrupulously clean. The cattery should have its own kitchen area, and there should be no noticeable smells.
Book in advance
Once you’ve chosen your cattery, don’t wait until the last minute to book. If it’s a good one it will probably be popular, particularly during peak periods. A well-run cattery will want to know all about your cat – its name, age, dietary requirements and so on. You will need to leave a contact name and telephone number and, preferably, the name and number of your vet in case of emergency.
Vaccination
All catteries will require your cat to be vaccinated against feline upper respiratory disease (cat flu) and feline infectious enteritis. If they don’t ask about vaccinations, don’t use them
One vaccine covers both types of disease but, if your cat is being vaccinated for the first time, it will need to have two injections, three to four weeks apart. After that it will require one annual booster. It’s very important to keep your cat’s injections up-to-date as, without a valid record of vaccination (issued by your vet), a cattery would be fully justified in turning your pet away.
What to pay
In general, you can expect to pay at least £17.00 a day, which should include meals and heating. Ask if VAT is included. Catteries in large towns may well charge more. Some catteries charge less per cat if you book in more than one. There may be an extra charge for certain services, e.g. administering medication.
To board or not to board your cat?
No one can replace you in your cat’s life, but there are times when a really good Cattery is the next best thing. Holidays, house moving or hospital stays are a good example of times when you may need the services of a good boarding cattery.
Option 1. Leaving them at home.
Cats are in fact not as happy, as you might think, about being left at home alone. They do not understand why their favourite person is not there and their routine interrupted - remember they are bonded with you, not the house. Cats entrusted to well-meaning but untrained friends and neighbours to pop in and feed them frequently run away and hide for days or even weeks. If they become ill it puts a real strain on a neighbour or friend unused to your cats. What happens if the friend or neighbour becomes ill or has to go away to attend to a family emergency elsewhere? Your cat is then in danger of not being fed and of being neglected, of pining and straying through open doors and gates and worst of all of being run over or attacked by the local tomcat or dog. If you have chosen a really good boarding cattery none of the above can happen and you will have peace of mind.
Option 2. Use a quality boarding cattery.
It is wiser to board your cat in a dedicated professional cattery, which will provide total security with lots of attention, love and care. This will give both you and your cat peace of mind. Once your cats have settled in they will have a marvellous time away from home. Kittens take to boarding easily and have a wonderful playful time. Adult cats are nonchalant and prefer to quietly observe their neighbours and the cattery routine. They catnap, eat and play with the staff. Your cats will love you for choosing Ferndown Cattery. The specialized cat boarding professionals. Here they will have a happy and safe boarding experience and you can enjoy your time away, content in the knowledge that they are receiving the best possible care.
Common Questions and answers
Q.
What is the best time for me to take my cat/s to the cattery?
A.
Take the cat/s to the cattery before you get your case out and start to pack.
Cats will not like the fact that you are packing and will go off and hide for hours or days.
Imagine that you're packed and ready to go in a few hours but where is the cat?
This can be a proper disaster! What can you do? You only have a little time to get on your way.
Tip. Do not feed your cat on the day that it is going to the cattery.
It is much more likely to stay around the house.
If you have an early start book your cat into the cattery the day before you are leaving.
Q. Will my cat come into contact with other cats at the cattery?
A.
No! This will never happen in a well-run cattery. Only cats from the same household share accommodation.
Each chalet and run is completely separate from any other chalet and run.
Q. What will my cat be fed on?
A.
We ask each owner what type of food their cat is normally fed, and what their particular likes and dislikes are. We feed exactly the same kind of food that the cat is normally given. If a cat is not eating we will find something that it can't resist. This also avoids any tummy upsets. We also cater for special diets. See our Menu and health page for more information.
Q. What daily checks will you do on my cat?
A.
We check ears, eyes, coat, content of the litter tray, food eaten, drinking habits and general wellbeing of your cat. All of this is recorded and any problems reported to you upon collection.
Q. What happens if my cat becomes Ill during it’s stay?
A.
The first person that we talk to is your own vet. We then take his/her advice.
We have a vet on call, and the cattery is insured to cover these costs.
Please read “Boarding Conditions”. We also ask owners about any medical problems their cat may have.
Q. How often is my cat checked?
A.
We begin feeding and cleaning at 07:00 AM, and generally work around the cattery all morning.
The cats are checked again, mid-afternoon, and fed again at 05:00 PM.
We carry out a last check on all cats between 10:00 PM and 11:00 PM.
Q. What Type of cat litter do you use?
A.
Although there are several types of cat litter available, we only use premium quality Wood Pellet Cat Litter which we feel has a number of advantages. And of course, the fact that Cats Protection have selected it as their preferred cat litter would suggest that these advantages are important!
• A high quality, renewable product
Wood Pellet Cat Litter is a high quality, 100% virgin timber product, which means no additives or impurities that could cause problems for your cat and because the wood comes from renewable FSC®-approved sources, it's a lot friendlier to the environment.
• Non-clumping cat litter
Wood Pellet Cat Litter doesn't stick together when damp, it fluffs up and can be easily removed when necessary without any of the dried-on patches associated with clay-based cat litters.
• Highly absorbent
Our litter absorbs lots of liquid, which is a key requirement of any effective cat litter material! In fact, wood pellets are up to three times more absorbent than some types of litter.
• Naturally biodegradable
Because Wood Pellet Cat Litter is 100% virgin timber, it is naturally biodegradable.
• Odour controlling
Odours can be a problem around any litter tray, but Wood Pellet Cat Litter controls smells naturally. The pellets themselves have a very pleasant natural wood aroma.
Q. I don’t have a family of cats but would like a family chalet. Can I have one?
A.
Yes if one is available, however the minimum cost of a family chalet is £20.00 per day.
Q. What is the youngest age that I can board my kitten?
A.
Providing that the full course of vaccinations has been completed.
That's two visits to your vet, normally three weeks apart. You can board your kitten 7 days after the completion date.
Q. Are the cats groomed during their stay at your cattery?
A.
Yes! As part of the care that we offer, all cats are groomed daily.
Please fetch your cat brush or comb with you.
However, we will not groom cats that are obviously not groomed at home and we will not groom cats that object violently to being groomed.
In extreme cases of badly knotted coats we will refuse admission to our cattery.
Checklist before taking your cat to the cattery
A.
Don’t… · Wash cat's bedding before you take it to the cattery, this would remove its familiar smells.
B.
Don’t… · Feed your cat before its journey It may be sick! (We always feed cats within half an hour of arrival.)
C.
Don’t… · Put the cat's bedding in the carrying basket. It may be sick! (Newspaper is recommended for travelling.)
D.
Don’t… · Carry a cat in your arms. It may escape between car and reception.
E.
Don’t… · Transport a cat that isn’t in a secure carrier by car. It may panic and get under the driver’s feet.
F.
Do…’ Remember your cat’s vaccination certificate.
G.
Do…’ Treat your cat against fleas 2 - 3 days before boarding with products obtained from a vet and not from Pet Shops or Supermarkets.
H.
Do…’ Bring scratching post, grooming brush, comb, toys and bedding with them, if required.
Customer testimonial
“Would totally recommend this Cattery. Everything about it is 5 star. Thanks to all the staff for looking after Bertie so well!”
- By Claire Louise Napper
To speak to our team in Ferndown, feel free to contact us on
01202 874 418
Contact us
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