Leaving your cat with strangers is an act of faith — and anyone who’s watched their cat’s Carrier of Doom face knows the guilt is real. But a good cattery isn’t a compromise; for many cats it’s genuinely better than the alternatives. The difference between a good cattery and a bad one, though, is enormous: spacious heated chalets with attentive staff versus cramped concrete pens with a once-a-day food drop. Here’s how to find a good cattery near you in Britain: what to look for, what to ask, the red flags, and how to prepare your cat for a stress-free stay.
Start with the licence (non-negotiable)
Since 2018, all boarding catteries in England must be licensed by their local council under the Animal Welfare (Licensing of Activities Involving Animals) Regulations — and the licence comes with a star rating from 1 to 5. This is your first filter: only consider licensed catteries, and prefer 4–5 star ratings. The rating reflects inspection against detailed welfare standards — accommodation size, temperature control, hygiene, staff training, record-keeping. Ask to see the licence (it must be displayed) and check the rating on your council’s website — licensing registers are public. Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland have their own but similar licensing regimes. An unlicensed cattery isn’t a bargain find; it’s operating illegally, uninsured, and uninspected. The government’s animal boarding guidance sets out exactly what licensed premises must provide.
How to find candidates near you
Ask your vet — vets know which local catteries produce healthy, happy returnees and which produce stressed, underweight ones; it’s the single best recommendation source. Ask cat-owning friends and neighbours — personal experience beats advertising. Check the Feline Advisory Bureau / International Cat Care listings and local Facebook cat-owner groups, where honest reviews circulate. Google Maps reviews help, but read them critically — look for detailed reviews mentioning staff, cleanliness and how the cat behaved on return, not just star counts. Build a shortlist of two to three, all licensed, all within a reasonable drive — distance matters, because you’ll be doing trial visits and the journey itself stresses the cat. If you’re travelling with pets more broadly, our guide to pet-friendly holidays in the UK covers the alternatives.
The visit: what to inspect (always visit before booking)
Never book a cattery you haven’t seen in person — and be suspicious of any that discourages visits (“we don’t allow visitors during rest hours” is sometimes legitimate; “we don’t do visits” never is). On your tour, check: space — each cat needs a minimum of around 1.5m² of living space plus separate sleeping and exercise areas under licensing rules; the chalets should feel generous, not cramped. Cleanliness and smell — a good cattery smells of disinfectant, not ammonia; litter trays clean, bedding fresh. Temperature — heated accommodation (cats feel the cold badly); ask what happens in a power cut. Security — double-door entry systems, secure mesh, no escape routes. Individual vs shared: cats from the same household can share; strangers must never be mixed. Enrichment — scratching posts, hiding spots, window views, toys; a bare concrete pen is a red flag. Staff interaction — do they know the cats’ names? Talk about them warmly? The best catteries’ staff clearly like cats. Isolation facilities — a separate area for sick cats, which responsible catteries maintain. Capacity honesty — “we’re full that week” is a good sign; a cattery that’s never full may be struggling for a reason.
The questions to ask
Take this list on your visit. Vaccinations: what do you require? (They should require up-to-date cat flu and enteritis vaccinations — a cattery that doesn’t ask is a disease risk.) What happens if my cat gets ill? — they should have a vet arrangement, contact you immediately, and have your vet’s details on file. Medication: can they administer it, and is there a charge? (Important for older cats.) Feeding: can you bring your cat’s own food? (You should — diet changes cause digestive upset.) A calm home routine matters just as much on your return — see our guide to keeping your house clean with pets. Daily routine: how often are cats checked, fed, cleaned, given attention? Emergency contact: who’s there overnight? (Some catteries have live-in staff; others don’t — know which.) Insurance: what does their cover include? Prices and what’s included: typical UK cattery rates run £10–£18 per cat per day (£15–£25 in London/SE); check what medication administration, extra playtime or grooming cost. Cancellation terms — life happens; know the policy.
Red flags: walk away if you see these
No licence or won’t show it. Won’t let you visit or only shows you a “show chalet”. Strong smell of urine/ammonia — indicates poor cleaning. Overcrowding — more cats than the space comfortably holds. No vaccination requirements. Cats looking stressed, thin or unkempt in residence. Cash-only, no paperwork — no booking form, no T&Cs, no vet details requested. Reluctance to discuss illness procedures. Any one of these is disqualifying; trust your nose and your gut — if something feels off, it is. The RSPCA’s cat welfare advice includes boarding guidance worth reading before you visit.
Preparing your cat for the stay
Book a trial night or two before a long holiday — it lets your cat learn the place isn’t a trap and lets you assess how they cope. Bring familiar things: their usual food (enough for the stay plus a day), a worn T-shirt that smells of home, their favourite blanket or bed — familiar scents reduce stress enormously. Keep the carrier routine calm: leave the carrier out for days beforehand with treats inside, so it’s furniture, not a signal of doom. Update vaccinations at least two weeks before boarding (most catteries require this lead time for immunity to develop). Write everything down: feeding amounts and times, medication instructions, quirks (“hides under the bed for the first day — normal”), your vet’s details and your reachable contact number. Stay matter-of-fact at drop-off: long emotional goodbyes stress cats more than a calm, brief handover — they’re exquisitely tuned to your anxiety. Most cats settle within 24–48 hours; the staff will tell you honestly how yours is doing if you call.
Cattery vs alternatives: the honest comparison
Cattery pros: professional supervision, secure, social routine, no imposing on friends, vet access arranged. Cattery cons: unfamiliar environment, other cats’ smells, cost. Cat sitter at home pros: cat stays in its territory (huge for anxious cats), routine uninterrupted. Cons: variable sitter quality, security considerations, often similar cost (£25–£50/day). Friend/family pros: free, trusted. Cons: guilt, inconsistent care, no professional backup. For confident, social cats: a good cattery is excellent. For anxious, elderly or medicated cats: a home sitter usually wins. There’s no universal answer — match the solution to the cat. The PDSA’s pet care advice covers the welfare considerations for each option.
The bottom line
Finding a good cattery: start with your vet’s recommendation, filter for licensed 4–5 star premises, shortlist two or three, visit in person with your question list, watch for the red flags, book a trial stay, and prepare with familiar food, bedding and calm drop-offs. A good cattery isn’t somewhere your cat endures your holiday — it’s a professional, caring environment where many cats genuinely thrive. The guilt is normal. The good cattery makes it unnecessary.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I find a good cattery near me?
Ask your vet first (best source), then cat-owning friends, then check licensed premises via your council’s register. Always visit in person before booking, and only consider licensed catteries — preferably 4–5 star rated.
How much does a cattery cost per day UK?
Typically £10–£18 per cat per day, £15–£25 in London and the South East. Check what’s included — medication administration, extra playtime and grooming may cost extra.
Do catteries need to be licensed in the UK?
Yes — boarding catteries in England must be licensed by the local council with a 1–5 star rating (similar regimes exist in Scotland, Wales and NI). Never use an unlicensed cattery.
What vaccinations does my cat need for a cattery?
Up-to-date cat flu and feline enteritis vaccinations, usually given at least two weeks before boarding. A cattery that doesn’t require vaccinations is a red flag — walk away.
Is a cattery or cat sitter better?
Confident, social cats do well in good catteries; anxious, elderly or medicated cats usually do better with a home sitter. Match the option to your cat’s temperament, not just your convenience.
