What is your boarding cancellation policy?
Day Count & Minimum Fee: We count by the day and we bill for every day a reservation touches. There are no credits or refunds for returning early. The minimum fee for boarding is equal to the cost of three days at the room rate reserved.
Non-Refundable Deposit
A non-refundable deposit equal to the cost of 50% of the estimated boarding fees will be charged to the credit card provided. The deposit paid is non-refundable and non-transferable. Any cancellation at any time for any reason forfeits the entire deposit. The balance of any estimated fees are billed at check in and any room change fees, upgrades, and incidentals are billed at check out. We take a credit card now, and we will charge the 50% non-refundable deposit upon acceptance of your reservation request. Cancellations made without notice (No-Shows) must pay the full amount due for the entire scheduled reservation.
Holiday Cancellations: Non-refundable deposits for service during scheduled holidays recognized by Cats in the City is equal to 75% of the estimated boarding fees. Your credit card will be billed 75% of the estimated fees for service when scheduled over a holiday recognized by Cats in the City. Any cancellation at any time for any reason forfeits the entire non-refundable deposit. Non-refundable deposits will not be refunded or transferred. Holidays we recognize includes Christmas Eve. and Christmas Day, New Years Eve and New Years Day, Thanksgiving, July 4th, Memorial Day, and Labor Day.
2023-2025 Holidays
Easter Apr 10, 2023
Memorial Day May 29, 2023
Independence Day July 4, 2023 – Closed to the public
Labor Day September 4, 2023
Thanksgiving Day November 23, 2023 – Closed to the public
Christmas Eve. December 24, 2023 – Closed to the public
Christmas Day December 25, 2023 – Closed to the public
New Year’s Eve. Dec 31, 2023 – Closed to the public
New Year’s Day January 1, 2024 – Closed to the public
Easter April 1, 2024
Memorial Day May 27, 2024
Independence Day July 4, 2024 – Closed to the public
Labor Day September 2, 2024
Thanksgiving November 28, 2024 – Closed to the public
Christmas Eve. December 24, 2024 – Closed to the public
Christmas Day December 25, 2024 – Closed to the public
New Year’s Eve. December 31, 2024 – Closed to the public
New Year’s Day January 1, 2025 – Closed to the public
Thanksgiving November 28, 2024
Christmas Eve. December 24, 2024
Christmas Day December 25, 2024
New Year’s Eve. December 31, 2024
New Year’s Day January 1, 2025
Is there a minimum fee for Boarding?
Our boarding service has a minimum fee equal to the cost of three days of boarding at the room rate reserved.
We have a few peak dates throughout the year where the minimum fee increases. Please use this chart as a guide and please call in for a more precise estimate:
How are holiday fees applied and does my cat receive care and attention on holidays?
Cats are cared for every single day and given the attention they need, want, and deserve—even on holidays.
We collect a non-refundable deposit equal to 75% of estimated boarding fees for reservations during holidays recognized below. We charge a $60 holiday fee for the holidays listed below. The holidays for which we are closed to the public are noted below.
Easter Sunday
July 4th (closed to the public)
Memorial Day
Labor Day (closed to the public)
Thanksgiving (closed to the public)
Christmas Eve and Christmas Day (closed to the public on both dates)
New Years Eve and New Years Day (closed to the public on both dates)
2023-2025 Holidays (75% Non-refundable Deposit Required, Minimum Fees Apply):
Our boarding service has a minimum fee equal to the cost of three days of boarding at the room rate reserved.
We have a few peak dates throughout the year where the minimum fee increases. Please use this chart as a guide and please call in for a more precise estimate:
Do you have specific check-in and check-out times?
Every service is by appointment only, and we schedule check-in and check-out times when you make your reservation.
Check-in/Check-out hours:
Weekdays: 10:00 AM to 12:00 PM and 3:00 PM to 4:45 PM, by appointment
Saturday: 10:00 AM to 2:00 PM (Saturdays incur a daily fee no matter when checkout is scheduled)
Sundays: 10:00 AM to 12:00 PM (Sundays incur a daily fee no matter when checkout is scheduled)
After hour fee of $75 applies to after-hours checkins and checkouts.
Appointments scheduled after-hours must be punctual and we are unable to wait if you are not punctual.
*Cancellations for boarding reservations incur a cancellation fee equal to the cost of two days of boarding at the room rate reserved, and there are no credits or refunds for unused days when returning early.
Do you care for cats with health conditions?
We care for cats living with conditions such as diabetes, hyperthyroid, and asthma. We cannot accept cats that live with contagious illnesses such as ringworm and upper respiratory infections.
How are monthly / long-term reservations handled?
To qualify for the monthly boarding discount, monthly boarding fees must be paid in advance on the following schedule: Payment for the first month is made at the time the reservation is made and all payments are non-refundable. Payment for the second month is due at checkin, and then invoices are due on a monthly bases until checkout. Invoices paid after service is complete do not qualify for the monthly boarding discount.
My cat is an outdoor kitty and is not used to being kept inside. Do you have an outdoor play area?
Our facilities have large, secure, outdoor catios for your cat to privately enjoy – we do not mix cats from different households. Our catio is raised off the ground, and is roofed, so cats can enjoy the outdoors even when it’s raining.
Our locations also have a Special Boarding room with access to a large, private catio, just for your cat’s enjoyment.
Can I visit my cat while they board?
After years of caring for cats, we have observed behavioral patterns, and have concluded that visits generally benefit the human and can be consequential to the kitty. Visits interrupt a kitty’s adjustment to their new environment, forcing some cats into a yo-yo effect. After visiting with their humans, some kitties skip meals and show other signs of stress because their human left again. Like a child at daycare, when they see their parents, they want them to stay or they want to go home with them. So we discourage visits. This way, when your kitty sees you again, they are rewarded with going home. We love happy reunions!
Do you offer day care for cats?
We don’t offer conventional day care for cats because we have a 3-day minimum fee for boarding. We do welcome grooming guests to stay until the end of the day, when their human companions can pick them up.
Do I get a refund if my trip is cut short?
There are no refunds or credits for unused days of a reservation for coming home early.
Do you guarantee a flea-free environment?
We are vigilant about protecting our cats from fleas. Every cat must be on a flea treatment protocol (such as Advantage, Activyl, Frontline, Revolution, Comfortis) during their stay. If your cat is not on a flea treatment protocol, we will apply Advantage or Activyl at checkin. We inspect all cats for parasites upon arrival. If a cat arrives with live fleas, we will flea dip your cat immediately in addition to applying a flea preventative at your expense. When it comes to flea problems, our policy is, “Not on our watch!”
What kind of play will you do with my cat?
The toy chest at Cats in the City has plenty of ways to occupy and entertain your curious, furry friend. We use laser pointers, string, balls, feathers, springy toys, catnip toys, and toys that can be loaded with treats. We explore your cat’s appetite for play, and choose the toys that are most fun for him/her!
My cat is used to cuddles and lap time. Do you offer special attention when I can’t be there to give it myself?
There is no such thing as a love-starved cat at Cats in the City! We wander in and out of the “guest rooms” throughout the day, refreshing their water and food, administering medications (as needed), cleaning the litter, and giving your cat some well-deserved petting and attention. If you want to ensure even more one-on-one attention, we offer 15-minute sessions of adoration for $10.
I want to socialize my cat. Can he/she be introduced to other cats at Cats in the City?
For the comfort and safety of our cat guests, we only co-mingle cats from separate households with prior permission. You can authorize cat socialization and co-mingling on your boarding check in form.
What kind of treats and food do you provide?
Your cat’s appetite and digestive system has adjusted to a specific food, so we ask our clients to bring the food and treats that it is used to. We adhere to the diet and feeding routine you’ve established. We do, however, keep a variety of kibbles and wet food in stock, including Wellness, Orijen, Science Diet, Newman’s Own, Friskies, and 9Lives.
My cat has occasional “litter box” issues, particularly in strange places. How do you accommodate that?
Accidents happen. In a strange place, you might think your cat will have “issues,” but we’ve found it rarely happens here. Maybe it’s like the kids who are so helpful and polite at someone else’s house, but a terror at home! With almost a decade of cat care experience, the litter box issue is generally a “non-issue” here.
We also keep our mattresses in factory-sealed plastic so, if a cat has an accident, we simply wash the bedding and clean the plastic mattress cover.
It’s very important to let us know, however, if your cat is incontinent or not litter trained so we can provide the appropriate accommodations. We might need to adjust your cat’s boarding arrangements if your cat arrives and is unable to use a litter box.
Do you require my cat to have any vaccinations before boarding at Cats in the City?
Yes. Except for kittens, every cat twelve-years-old or younger that is a guest here—for boarding—must be up-to-date with vaccinations for the safety of everyone (felines and humans). We require what your cat’s attending vet requires, so please bring your latest vet visit receipt with the dates of the vaccinations your pet has received.
Cats with Diabetes
While a cat is boarding, they are often more alert and active which puts more energy demands on the body, and causes movement in blood glucose levels. A cat might experience a change in appetite too while boarding, which will also cause movement in blood glucose levels. This variability means it is dangerous to inject a diabetic cat with insulin without the data provided by the blood glucose reading.
It is our firm policy NOT to inject a cat with insulin when their blood glucose levels are lower than 250 mg/dl. If a cat injected with insulin uses more calories overnight than they usually do or a cat does not eat as much as they usually do, then dangerous health consequences could result.
We will record all blood glucose readings and provide them to our client so you can review the data together during your next veterinary exam.
Grooming
Do you anesthetize cats for grooming?
No, we’re not in favor of any unnecessary medication (and expense!). Cats have a natural desire to be well groomed, so if you understand cat psychology and handling (which we do), you can do an expert job (which we also do) without upsetting your cat.
Of course, there are still a few cats that need to be medicated prior to grooming. This occurs when their “fight or flight” response is so intense that they could hurt themselves or us. We will always do our best to groom your cat without any medication, but in these rare cases, we stop the grooming and then contact you to discuss options that will best address your cat’s response. Some of our clients with particularly aggressive cats have their vet prescribe a sedative like gabapentin in pill form. The cat is given the pill 2 hours before the grooming session and we can then safely groom your cat.
Our concern is always in restoring your cat to its natural beauty without the stress, so he/she enjoys the experience.
My cat and/or my home have fleas. What do I do?
Fleas are invasive and can cause serious health issues.
Watch this video for suggestions on how to manage flea issues:
What’s a lion cut? And a teddy bear?
These are popular fur-styles for cats.
A lion cut for a cat is a close trim, like a buzz cut. You can choose a natural or tapered mane, booties, and a pom-pom on the tail. Think of a lion’s mane, and short body fur.
A teddy bear cut is similar to the lion cut, but leaves a slightly thicker layer of fur, like lamb’s wool. We taper the fur on the face so it looks similar to a bear cub – no mane.
With the way we do these cuts, you don’t have to worry about your cat’s fur growing back abnormally. Your cat’s coat will grow in naturally, time and time again.
My cat has dreadlocked fur and his fur is matting. What can you do to help?
Yes, we have innovative and patent-pending solutions to your cat fur problems. Matting or felting of cat fur is a significant health problem and we can solve it. Watch this video to learn about the solutions we offer:
How often do you recommend my cat should be groomed?
The time between grooming depends on the cat’s breed and fur type. Some cats are fine with an annual salon treatment, while others need to be groomed quarterly. Shedding increases in the spring and fall, so as you’re adjusting to the changing of seasons yourself, so too is your cat’s coat. Spring and fall are great times to schedule seasonal grooming.
What is your “patent-pending technology” for grooming?
We use customized de-shedding and de-matting tools from a brilliant company that, like us, understands that shaving a cat isn’t the only solution to cat fur management.
What is your grooming cancellation policy?
You may reschedule or cancel your appointment at anytime. We do ask for 24-hours notice, but understand when same-day cancellations happen. Call on us to reschedule. We’re here to help.
What do soft claws do? Are they uncomfortable for my cat?
“Soft Claws” are little plastic caps that fit easily over your cat’s claws, like press-on nails, to prevent them from clawing people, furniture, doors, and other things you’d like to protect. A little dab of glue holds the tips in place for 4-8 weeks. Neither the soft claws nor the glue will harm your cat, and most felines don’t notice them, but you might notice your furniture lasts longer!
Cat Sitting
I need a cat sitter. What do i do?
Watch this video to see how Cats in the City can help:
What do you do each visit?
If you have any questions not answered here, please feel free to contact us
We hold a doctorate in cat play. Your cat will get love, attention and exercise. We scoop litter pans, follow reading routines, administer medication (if any), rotate lights, bring in the mail, roll your trash cans and from the curb, and other small requests.
Is there a deposit to reserve cat sitting service?
Cat sitting reservations require a non-refundable deposit equal to two service visits at the rate reserved, which is only billed if you cancel.
Pet Taxi
How far does your taxi service go?
How far do you want to go? We’re up for a trip in the company of your cat! For long distances—how far is it to the tip of Maine or the beaches in Florida?—ask about our custom rates. We’ll even travel with your cat by plane if your cat needs a custodian.
I won’t be home when you pick up my pet. Now what?
We are licensed and bonded. Thousands of families entrust us with their house-key, alarm code, gate key, and other access information so we can offer a comprehensive service while you tend to other matters.
Are crates, carriers, or kennels provided?
Cats must travel in a crate or carrier. We keep carriers in stock for purchase or rent.
What kind of pet errands do you do?
You can count on Cats in the City to pick up and deliver pet supplies, take your cat to the vet, and even come to you to trim your cat’s nails, administer medication, or even help you crate your cat if you can’t do it yourself. Got an unusual situation that needs an extra pair of cat-caring hands? Call us!
If you have any questions not answered here, please feel free to contact us
