Bringing home your new fur baby

So, you’ve done your googles, researched the many types of fur baby’s that are available through breeders, rescue organisations and have decided on a kitten or older cat that would fit purrfectly into your family.

If purchasing from a reputable cattery breeder, make sure you understand not only the strengths but also the weaknesses of that breed and are able to view the parents whether it be in Melbourne, Geelong or the Surfcoast.

If you choose to adopt from a rescue cattery find out as much information about the previous history, although this may not be possible as the cat or kitten may have been surrendered, found or in some cases dumped.  A rescue centre such as Geelong Animal Rescue ( GAR ) will provide this information where possible.

Once you have made your choice you will need to prepare your home for your new fur baby’s arrival. You will need a strong, secure carrier for transporting your fur baby home but also for future vet visits or boarding at your local cattery if required.  A couple of sleeping options is also ideal as they can be fussy and will usually go back to a favourite spot. At our boarding cattery we provide different levels of sleeping options for all guests and this is also advisable at home as well as a nice warm blanket and a comfortable bed. Another item to have on hand is a scratching post which is a must if you like your furniture, but keep in mind that some cats are vertical and others horizontal scratchers, so providing both is a safe option but you will soon know what their personal preference is.

It is good practice to know what plants are toxic to cats if you have them in and around your home and make sure it is a safe environment for your fur baby.

Most cats are playful so some form of stimulation will help keep them happy. A cat tunnel, toy mice, balls, feather teaser and a laser pointer are a great start to entertaining your new arrival but there is so much more available now so have a good look around.

Be kind and gentle to your fur baby and enjoy the love and entertainment they will share with you.

Introducing a new cat or kitten to your home

It is always exciting to bring a new fur baby into the home but there are a few things you should understand beforehand if you haven’t done this before.

Make sure you have everything they need and decide where they will sleep for the few weeks until they feel safe and secure.

In a cattery environment, we wait until our guests are comfortable and confident within their surroundings before we engage with them and only one staff member at a time to begin with as gaining their trust helps them feel more relaxed.

Meeting the whole family may be too much at once.  It is a good idea to let your fur baby settle in one room and let them explore the different things around them, bed, litter box etc.  Slowly introduce one family member at a time to say hello and have a gentle pat for a brief moment. It maybe overwhelming for them initially but just be patient, calm and let them come to you when they feel comfortable.   

For the four legged introduction this should also be done slowly and one at a time.  If you already have a dog (size doesn’t matter) have them on a leash so you have control of them if they become too excited or aggressive.  Sometimes it is best to have the kitten or cat in it’s carrier as this will prevent them from running away and triggering a chase reaction.

If you already have another cat, follow the same procedure but without the leash.  As long as both cats are friendly you can allow them to get to know each other a little more.  Keep initial introductions brief and praise both for their good behaviour.  As they become more comfortable with each other the contact can be longer but if there are any signs of aggression, remove the new arrival from the room and try again later.  But don’t despair if this happens, it may take a few more introductions before they become comfortable with each other.

Booking your fur baby into a cattery for boarding

‘Do your Googles’, reviews tell it all!

Make an appointment to visit the cattery or cat hotel and look at the rooms you are interested in and have a chat to different staff members if possible. It is always a good idea to book in advance rather than last minute as you will make a more informed choice. You will know within the first 10 minutes if it’s the right environment for your fur baby and whether you are comfortable with the cattery staff you meet.

Keep in mind that Peak times will always be booked out early so plan at least 6 months ahead for Christmas and 3 months for Easter as your local cattery may not have availability for the dates you require if left too late.

As with many cattery/cat boarding establishments, a deposit to secure the reservation may be required in advance to secure the room.  This can be 50% of the total reservation during peak period times, depending on individual catteries Terms & Conditions and every cat hotel or cattery is different. During off peak periods where vacancies are more readily available, a 20% deposit may be required but again will vary depending on your local cattery but it is still best to book in advance.

FAQ: Your local cattery and what makes up the cost of cat boarding

We have had a lot of people comment on how wonderful it would be to run a cattery and it is, but also very hard work and costly.. Your local cattery has a lot of over heads just to have the doors open and there is much more cost involved than first meets the eye. There will be some differences in running costs between a cattery in Melbourne, Geelong and a Torquay cattery for example. In Melbourne rental costs are much higher and this reflects in the boarding prices.

Federal government take a fee for running a business, local council take a fee for licensing, rates and planning applications, there is building and liability insurance and then there is the cost of rent, wages, power, gas and food supplies.

Our little fur guests can also at times damage furniture and toys such as scratching posts, tunnels, bedding etc. which means your local cattery is constantly replacing items, as well as dietary requirements. All of which is built into the cost of boarding.

Why are cattery owners in the business then? Because we love what we do. It doesn’t mater if the cattery is in Melbourne or Torquay, one thing we all have in common is a love for cats, all cats.

Catteries and dealing with COVID 19

A lot of local catteries around Geelong, Melbourne and the Surfcoast have been extremely hit hard financially by the Covid 19 virus as customers cancel their travel plans due to restrictions and therefore cat boarding. Your local cattery whether it be in Geelong or Melbourne already adhere to very strict cleaning and sanitizing standards just as Veterinary Clinics.

People may not be aware, but there is a very high percentage of cleaning and sanitizing involved in running a cattery as it needs to be as sterile as possible to ensure that all guests leave healthy and happy.

Cattery staff are well trained and very conscious of contamination and are prepared for dealing with these situations. Catteries in general, have low foot traffic compared to other businesses such as retail stores as people do not necessarily just pop in for a look but rather by appointment.

Our cattery is cleaned on a daily basis using hospital grade products as well as all staff using hand sanitizers, wipes and sprays to minimise contamination. A lot safer than a supermarket!