Frequently Asked Questions:
Do cats fight in catteries: - cats are territorial animals and as a cattery is neutral territory, most cats get on just fine. When your cat arrives we will put him or her into their own luxury room and allow them time to get acclimatized to their surroundings. They are then allowed access to the lounge and verandah area and it is their choice if they wish to explore outside of their room. They will be carefully watch to ensure they are comfortable and that there are no problems. The cats learn very quickly which room is their own private area and we have already found that they will return to their rooms to have a snooze or to use their own litter trays!
There are some cats that are not appropriate to have full access to all of the cattery, such as very nervous cats that like to hide or cats that have not had much contact with other cats, or any cat that show any antisocial behavior. These cats will be given time in the verandah area on their own and extra cuddles!
Our Cats have never stayed in a cattery, will they be alright? Unfortunately, there’s just no place like home, but when you can’t be there to look after your cat(s),A cattery is the best option. Don’t worry, cats settle into the cattery environment fairly quickly. It’s often more stressful for their owners, as the meowing in the car on the way can be very upsetting. It is quite normal for cats to cry in a vehicle and to not like being couped up in their carry cage. If you bring something from home with your scent on like a pillow case, T-Shirt or a blanket they like to sleep on, this will help them settle in faster.
Remember a cattery is a far better option than leaving your cat(s) at home alone to fend for themselves
What vaccinations does my pet need: - all cats and dogs must have a current vaccination certificate and this must be presented upon arrival prior to boarding. This certificate must be current for the whole period of boarding. All dogs must be vaccinated for kennel cough and the core vaccinations must be completed every 12 months to come to our kennels.
Does my pet have to be current with their de-worming and de-fleaing – Yes please, this is very important and if due they should be done at lease one week prior to boarding.
Will you administer any medicines: - yes we will, but please ensure these are clearly marked with your pets name and the dose rates are clear to read.
What should we bring: - your pets vaccination certificate, any medicines and if your pet is on a special diet their food for the entire length of time that they are staying with us. If it is your pets first visit we recommend you bring along something familiar of theirs, such as a toy, blanket for an old shirt that has your ‘smell’ on it. You are welcome to bring along your pets own bed, but please let us know in advance if you will be doing this and please no bean bags, especially for dogs!
Do I need to provide an emergency contact number or person? – yes it is important that we can contact you or a nominated person incase of a emergency
What can I do if my cat/s really doesn't like the carry cage we bring him in? Try a little lavender oil on the towel inside. Secure the case firmly and cover it with a blanket for the journey from home.
When is the best time to bring in my pet? We reccommend, that if possible to bring in your pet in the morning to give them time to settle in. Arrival late in the afternoon, especially in winter, can be unsettling for them if it is there first time in a kennel.
I have a fussy cat – will it eat when it is in the cattery? – since the cats are housed separately, we can monitor whether your cat is eating or not and the amount being eaten. We have a very wide variety of food available from biscuits, wet food, raw meat and will also used cooked chicken, fish and cheese to encourage any cat. We will ask you at check in time what your cat normally eats at home.
Will my dog have to share sleeping arrangements with other dogs? - No. For your dog’s safety and comfort and for everyone’s peace-of-mind, we house all dogs separately, unless from the same family.
My dog has been classified as a dangerous dog – will you board him? – sorry no – we will not board any dog that is dangerous or aggressive in anyway towards other dogs or people.
My unspeyed bitch is on heat or is due to come into heat – will you board her? - sorry no – we are such a small kennel any bitch in heat can cause major disruptions within the kennel.
My dog is booked in for an operation, but I cannot manage her post operative care at home. Can you board her: - Yes we can assist you. You will need to contact us to let us know what type of operation she is having and what the post operative care is.
Can you care for a sick or injured cat: - yes we can, if you contact us and let us know what the requirements are for post operative care etc we can work out the best place for your cat to be placed. They may be able to stay in one of the main cattery rooms, as long as they are still allowed to climb up to the window shelves, or if they are better suited in the isolation cabin where we can ensure they cannot climb and jump around.
Can we visit our pet or collect our dog for an outing - no sorry we do not allow that anymore. We have found that if you visit your cat and dog they do not understand why you have not taken them home with you and left back here. We have found that the dogs do not settle again and this upsets them and it upsets us listening to them. The cats can sometimes, stop eating and will litterly 'sulk'. The decision was made that no more visits.
Some hints for you when admitting your pet to the kennel or cattery
Allow plenty of time to deliver your pet.
If you are stressed, this will be communicated to your pet.
If you are happy and relaxed when you leave your pet, this too will be communicated to your pet and they will settle easier. Avoid long emotional partings.
Please make sure you tell us of any ailments, medication, special requirements, special diet your pet may have and any habits your pet may have.
If you are boarding pets, which are elderly, young, disabled, highly strung, or have a pet on medication, perhaps you could provide a few days’ supply of your pets own food, so that the changeover to kennel food is gradual. Alternatively, if you wish, keep the pet on the food brought from home for the duration of the stay.
Information about why vaccination your dog for Parvo
Please get your puppies vaccinated!!
It is so important to get them vaccinated against the Parvo Virus as it is highly contagious in the Far North. The Parvo can survive and remain infectious in the environment for several years!
Vaccinating your puppies begins at 6 weeks, another at 9 weeks and then another at 12 weeks. After the vaccination at 12 weeks, it is then done annually. Full protection against the Parvo virus is not achieved until 10 days after the 2nd booster shot but it is recommended to not take them out into public until after the 12 week vaccination.
With the warmer weather and puppy season, the Parvo virus is very contagious, especially when puppies are being shifted around or when taken from the mum and the litter.
What are the signs for Parvo? At first, the puppy will seem a bit off colour and off it's food. Soon vomiting starts and there is generally a marked fever at this stage. Within one to two days diarrhoea starts and this quickly progresses to watery bloody dysentery with bits of the puppy’s bowel lining in it. At this stage the puppy is very sick- dehydrated, feverish, weak and has severe tummy pain. Usually, if not treated, the pup will die of dehydration and septic shock.
If your puppy is showing these signs, please call your vet immediately so we can book your puppy in and prepare for the arrival of your puppy and get treatment for it as soon as possible!
·
There are some cats that are not appropriate to have full access to all of the cattery, such as very nervous cats that like to hide or cats that have not had much contact with other cats, or any cat that show any antisocial behavior. These cats will be given time in the verandah area on their own and extra cuddles!
Our Cats have never stayed in a cattery, will they be alright? Unfortunately, there’s just no place like home, but when you can’t be there to look after your cat(s),A cattery is the best option. Don’t worry, cats settle into the cattery environment fairly quickly. It’s often more stressful for their owners, as the meowing in the car on the way can be very upsetting. It is quite normal for cats to cry in a vehicle and to not like being couped up in their carry cage. If you bring something from home with your scent on like a pillow case, T-Shirt or a blanket they like to sleep on, this will help them settle in faster.
Remember a cattery is a far better option than leaving your cat(s) at home alone to fend for themselves
What vaccinations does my pet need: - all cats and dogs must have a current vaccination certificate and this must be presented upon arrival prior to boarding. This certificate must be current for the whole period of boarding. All dogs must be vaccinated for kennel cough and the core vaccinations must be completed every 12 months to come to our kennels.
Does my pet have to be current with their de-worming and de-fleaing – Yes please, this is very important and if due they should be done at lease one week prior to boarding.
Will you administer any medicines: - yes we will, but please ensure these are clearly marked with your pets name and the dose rates are clear to read.
What should we bring: - your pets vaccination certificate, any medicines and if your pet is on a special diet their food for the entire length of time that they are staying with us. If it is your pets first visit we recommend you bring along something familiar of theirs, such as a toy, blanket for an old shirt that has your ‘smell’ on it. You are welcome to bring along your pets own bed, but please let us know in advance if you will be doing this and please no bean bags, especially for dogs!
Do I need to provide an emergency contact number or person? – yes it is important that we can contact you or a nominated person incase of a emergency
What can I do if my cat/s really doesn't like the carry cage we bring him in? Try a little lavender oil on the towel inside. Secure the case firmly and cover it with a blanket for the journey from home.
When is the best time to bring in my pet? We reccommend, that if possible to bring in your pet in the morning to give them time to settle in. Arrival late in the afternoon, especially in winter, can be unsettling for them if it is there first time in a kennel.
I have a fussy cat – will it eat when it is in the cattery? – since the cats are housed separately, we can monitor whether your cat is eating or not and the amount being eaten. We have a very wide variety of food available from biscuits, wet food, raw meat and will also used cooked chicken, fish and cheese to encourage any cat. We will ask you at check in time what your cat normally eats at home.
Will my dog have to share sleeping arrangements with other dogs? - No. For your dog’s safety and comfort and for everyone’s peace-of-mind, we house all dogs separately, unless from the same family.
My dog has been classified as a dangerous dog – will you board him? – sorry no – we will not board any dog that is dangerous or aggressive in anyway towards other dogs or people.
My unspeyed bitch is on heat or is due to come into heat – will you board her? - sorry no – we are such a small kennel any bitch in heat can cause major disruptions within the kennel.
My dog is booked in for an operation, but I cannot manage her post operative care at home. Can you board her: - Yes we can assist you. You will need to contact us to let us know what type of operation she is having and what the post operative care is.
Can you care for a sick or injured cat: - yes we can, if you contact us and let us know what the requirements are for post operative care etc we can work out the best place for your cat to be placed. They may be able to stay in one of the main cattery rooms, as long as they are still allowed to climb up to the window shelves, or if they are better suited in the isolation cabin where we can ensure they cannot climb and jump around.
Can we visit our pet or collect our dog for an outing - no sorry we do not allow that anymore. We have found that if you visit your cat and dog they do not understand why you have not taken them home with you and left back here. We have found that the dogs do not settle again and this upsets them and it upsets us listening to them. The cats can sometimes, stop eating and will litterly 'sulk'. The decision was made that no more visits.
Some hints for you when admitting your pet to the kennel or cattery
Allow plenty of time to deliver your pet.
If you are stressed, this will be communicated to your pet.
If you are happy and relaxed when you leave your pet, this too will be communicated to your pet and they will settle easier. Avoid long emotional partings.
Please make sure you tell us of any ailments, medication, special requirements, special diet your pet may have and any habits your pet may have.
If you are boarding pets, which are elderly, young, disabled, highly strung, or have a pet on medication, perhaps you could provide a few days’ supply of your pets own food, so that the changeover to kennel food is gradual. Alternatively, if you wish, keep the pet on the food brought from home for the duration of the stay.
Information about why vaccination your dog for Parvo
Please get your puppies vaccinated!!
It is so important to get them vaccinated against the Parvo Virus as it is highly contagious in the Far North. The Parvo can survive and remain infectious in the environment for several years!
Vaccinating your puppies begins at 6 weeks, another at 9 weeks and then another at 12 weeks. After the vaccination at 12 weeks, it is then done annually. Full protection against the Parvo virus is not achieved until 10 days after the 2nd booster shot but it is recommended to not take them out into public until after the 12 week vaccination.
With the warmer weather and puppy season, the Parvo virus is very contagious, especially when puppies are being shifted around or when taken from the mum and the litter.
What are the signs for Parvo? At first, the puppy will seem a bit off colour and off it's food. Soon vomiting starts and there is generally a marked fever at this stage. Within one to two days diarrhoea starts and this quickly progresses to watery bloody dysentery with bits of the puppy’s bowel lining in it. At this stage the puppy is very sick- dehydrated, feverish, weak and has severe tummy pain. Usually, if not treated, the pup will die of dehydration and septic shock.
If your puppy is showing these signs, please call your vet immediately so we can book your puppy in and prepare for the arrival of your puppy and get treatment for it as soon as possible!
·