Boarding Frequently Asked Questions
Don't see your answer here? Please call or email us. We would love to hear about your kitty and answer any questions about Island Cats!
A: The nightly boarding rate includes lots o' love, toys, bedding, litterbox, and kitten, adult, or senior food (both canned & dry). All the kitties get fleece beds, toys, catnip, and loads of attention! Ammenities are never shared between guests and are washed & sterilized prior to use in our boarding facility. Each cat's condo has its own ventilation to prevent airborne exposure to each other. If your cat has any special needs requiring medication or a prescription diet, please bring those supplies from home. If your prescription diet or medication are regularly carried by Island Cats, we are happy to refill those for your kitty while boarding at their regular cost.
A: We have a play room for cats who like a little action. We call it the Orange Room and it's equipped with kitty toys, a cubby to play in and around, a window to peek out at the humans, as well as a bench to perch and practice kitty leaps. Sometimes it's nice to stretch those legs and chase a fuzzy mouse now and then. We have a carpeted doctor's office that we offer to those cats who really like to "stretch it" and dig in to carpet with those claws, or snuggle in a lap while their human is working. Cats are never allowed in the playroom or office together unless they are from the same household and enjoy each other's company. It is cleaned in between each cat's play/excercise time. Some cats feel very nervous or scared outside of their personal condo. Therefore, no cat is "forced" to come out and interact if it is not an enjoyable experience. Home is where the heart is and each cat's kennel is their private sanctuary for as long as they stay with us.
A: We hold no "check-in" or "check-out" times so that you can pick up or drop off at your convenience Monday through Friday. Lodging fees are accrued on a nightly basis so your kitty is welcome to arrive or stay as early or late in the day as you like. See our hours of operation to view our opening and closing times.
A: Boarding Profile Form (Required): You are required to have a new Boarding Profile Form for each time that your cat stays with us. This asks for your contact information, care & feeding instructions, and any requested services. You may print off and fill out any of these forms to bring with you if you prefer to save time at check-in. Otherwise we will fill these forms out with you upon your arrival to Island Cats. If your cat's regular veterinary care is with Island Cats, you can leave the Vaccine section blank as we have that information in your kitty's medical record. Boarding Policies Form: This form details the protocols of Island Cats boarding and only needs to be initialed and submitted once a year. When a year has passed, we will give you another to acknowledge with initials and submit to add to your kitty's file.
Diabetic History Form: If your cat is diabetic, we will require this information prior to check-in so we can continue your cat's insulin dosing and feeding schedule without any inconsistencies.
Patient History Form: If your cat needs a physical exam due to symptoms or concerns you have, or if your cat is due for any vaccines, please fill out this form. We will update their vaccinations once they check-in pending their age and condition. Every cat receives a physical prior to vaccinating them so that we can be assured that we are giving the correct vaccines for their lifestyle, and that vaccines are indeed in your cat's best interest. The doctor will need to know a little about your cat's history and any current symptoms prior to determining the best vaccination protocol or treatment plan. If we have an immediate concern upon physical exam, we will call or email you at your contact information to discuss how we should proceed.
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A: Nope. Natural cat behavior generally dictates unknown cat confronatation to be a threatening situation. We are all about kitty comfort first, and we "think like a cat" at all times. All of our kitty condos face "outward" so kitties can see and interact with the humans, but they cannot see the cats around them. So there are no threatening stares or interactions between cats. It's our belief that preventing cats' airborne, physical, and visual exposures to each other minimizes stress, as well as any cross-contamination should a cootie try to sneak in with someone else's cat. Cats from the same household that enjoy or take comfort from each other may stay with each other and are housed in our "Condo Ward." A Condo-Ward unit is two full-sized, adjoining kennels attached by an open doorway that allows the cats to go back and forth between compartments. Should your kitties change their mind about enjoying each other's company, the doorway can be closed to prevent passage into each others' space. There is no additional charge should your two cats stay in the adjoining condos versus the individual kennels. The Condo Ward is available to paired cats on a first-come/first-served basis.
A: Click here for the
popular services price list for our most commonly requested well care and boarding services. There are many more services and options available so please don't hesitate to ask. Every kitty is unique and we are always happy to provide and estimate of services that are tailored to your and your kitty's needs. You can also find more options and pricing details available during boarding on our
Boarding Profile Form towards the bottom of the page. We are happy to answer any of your questions at (206) 232-2837, or
info@islandcats.com.
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A: Almost all cats are required to be current on their FVRCP (upper respiratory) and Rabies vaccines. Some cats are not good candidates for these vaccines due to their age and condition and these factors are taken into consideration when weighing the risks of exposure and liability against the health benefits to the aging or compromised cat. There are a number of factors that go into tailoring these sorts of plans as every kitty is different and you should understand the risks and benefits of continuing or discontinuing vaccinations on your kitty. Because this is so personalized for each cat, their condition, their demeanor, and their frequency of interaction with people outside of your home, this vaccination protocol should be something discussed with your veterinarian during your annual exam (or bi-annual if you have a geriatric or special-needs kitty) so that you make the decision that best meets your family's needs. We feel our role is to proved the education and you decide what is best for you and yours. There is more information about boarding requirements on on our
Boarding Profile Form. We are also happy to answer any of your questions at (206) 232-2837, or
info@islandcats.com.
A: This page is updated weekly - please check back soon for a detailed answer. You can also find more information on our
Boarding Policies Form. We are happy to answer any of your questions at (206) 232-2837, or
info@islandcats.com.