Cat Boarding FAQs

Yes.

Kitty Cottage is dedicated exclusively to feline guests.

We do not board dogs, which allows us to maintain a quieter environment centered entirely around the needs of cats.

For many cats, being away from barking dogs and mixed-animal boarding activity can make the experience feel calmer and less overwhelming.

You can learn more about our cat-only environment on our Accommodations page.

Kitty Cottage is located at:

140 Wachusett Street
Franklin, MA 02038

Our Franklin location is convenient for families throughout the surrounding Massachusetts communities and for many cat owners traveling from nearby Rhode Island and the Providence area.

Kitty Cottage welcomes cats for many different types of stays, including:

• Weekend trips
• Vacations
• Holiday travel
• Business travel
• Family events
• Extended travel
• Home renovations
• Moving or relocation
• Other situations where your cat needs a safe place to stay

Both shorter and extended stays may be available depending on your dates.

For pricing, visit our Cat Boarding Rates.

Complete the Request a Stay form on our Contact page.

Tell us your preferred check-in and check-out dates along with some basic information about your cat.

A member of the Kitty Cottage team can then follow up regarding availability and any additional information we need before your cat arrives.

Kitty Cottage guests stay in private, multi-level cat condos designed specifically for feline comfort.

The accommodations provide separate areas for important daily activities such as resting, eating, and litter use.

You can learn more about our boarding environment on the Accommodations page.

We describe our guest spaces as cat condos rather than traditional cages.

The multi-level accommodations give cats room to move between different areas for sleeping, eating, relaxing, and observing their surroundings.

Our caregivers also provide enrichment and individual attention throughout the stay.

Our caregivers provide opportunities for play, enrichment, exercise, and individual attention based on each cat’s personality, health, and comfort level.

Some cats want lots of interaction.

Others prefer quiet companionship or more time to settle into their surroundings.

We adapt our approach to the individual guest.

Some Kitty Cottage accommodations offer outdoor views.

Window-watching can provide enrichment for cats who enjoy watching birds, squirrels, leaves, and the world outside.

Availability may vary, so ask about window accommodations when you Request a Stay.

Yes.

Kitty Cottage provides comfortable bedding for boarding guests.

You may also be able to bring an appropriate familiar comfort item from home if it helps your cat feel more comfortable.

Yes.

Fresh litter and routine housekeeping are included as part of your cat’s boarding stay.

Yes, appropriate familiar items from home are welcome.

A familiar blanket, small toy, or other safe item can provide a comforting scent while your cat adjusts to a new environment.

First-time guests should review our new guest information page for complete preparation and packing information.

Yes.

We recommend bringing your cat’s normal food whenever possible.

Maintaining a familiar diet can help reduce unnecessary changes while your cat is already adjusting to being away from home.

We work to follow each guest’s normal feeding instructions as closely as reasonably possible.

Please tell us:

• What food your cat eats
• How much they receive
• How often they eat
• Any special preparation instructions
• Whether they follow a prescription diet

Clear instructions help us maintain a familiar routine.

In many cases, yes.

If your cat eats prescription food or has specific dietary needs, tell us before the stay and bring enough of the appropriate food.

For complicated dietary or medical requirements, contact Kitty Cottage before booking.

It’s a good idea to provide enough food for the entire stay plus a small additional amount in case your travel plans unexpectedly change.

Yes.

Our caregivers are experienced with a range of medication routines and can accommodate many common feline treatments.

Depending on the individual guest, this may include:

• Pills
• Oral liquid medications
• Topical medications
• Eye and ear medications
• Inhalers
• Injections
• Subcutaneous fluids
• Other treatments approved in advance

Please discuss all medication needs with us before your cat’s stay.

No.

Medication administration and certain additional treatments are charged separately.

Current prices are listed on our Rates page.

Bring enough medication for the entire stay along with clear instructions.

Whenever possible, medications should remain in their original veterinary or pharmacy packaging with the prescription information visible.

Please include:

• Medication name
• Dose
• Frequency
• Administration time
• Administration method
• Any important veterinary instructions

Kitty Cottage has experience with injections and medication routines.

Because every diabetic cat and treatment schedule is different, please discuss your cat’s needs with us before booking so we can confirm whether the schedule can be safely accommodated.

Yes.

All boarding guests must meet Kitty Cottage’s current health and vaccination requirements.

Indoor-only cats currently require veterinarian-administered Rabies and FVRCP vaccinations, while additional requirements apply to cats with outdoor exposure.

Please review our complete Health & Safety Requirements.

Yes.

All guests must meet Kitty Cottage’s flea-prevention requirements, including cats who live exclusively indoors.

Indoor cats can still be exposed to fleas through other animals, people, veterinary visits, or unexpected environmental exposure.

If fleas are found during your cat’s stay, treatment may be administered at the owner’s expense to protect both your cat and the other feline guests in the facility.

Review our Health & Safety page for the complete policy.

Yes.

Kitty Cottage requires boarding guests to be spayed or neutered.

Contact us before booking if there is a medical or age-related reason this has not yet been done.

Please contact Kitty Cottage before bringing a cat who is showing signs of illness.

Symptoms such as vomiting, diarrhea, respiratory issues, unusual lethargy, appetite changes, discharge, fever, parasites, or suspected contagious illness should be discussed before arrival.

Depending on the situation, the stay may need to be postponed.

First-time guests should bring the required veterinary documentation, food, medications when applicable, feeding and medication instructions, veterinarian information, emergency contact information, and any approved comfort items.

We’ve created a complete first-visit checklist on our new guest information page.

The more useful information you provide, the better.

We want to know about:

• Your cat’s personality
• Feeding routine
• Medications
• Health conditions
• Normal litter habits
• Mobility concerns
• Behavior around unfamiliar people
• Favorite activities
• Things they dislike
• Anything that helps them relax

This helps our caregivers understand what is normal for your cat.

That’s okay.

Some first-time guests adjust quickly, while others need more time to observe their surroundings and settle in.

Our caregivers allow cats to adjust at their own pace rather than expecting every guest to immediately behave the same way.

Our new guest information page includes additional tips for preparing a cat for their first boarding stay.

Shy cats are welcome.

Please tell us about your cat’s personality before arrival.

Some guests prefer more personal space and quiet observation before they are ready to interact.

Understanding this in advance helps us approach them appropriately.

Senior cats are welcome when their health and care needs can be safely accommodated.

Please tell us about mobility issues, medications, dietary requirements, medical conditions, and changes in normal behavior.

You can also review our Health & Safety page for additional medical information.

Yes.

Check-in and check-out are scheduled by appointment.

Appointment-based arrivals allow our caregivers to give each family appropriate attention while maintaining a calmer environment for the feline guests already boarding.

Scheduled arrivals help us properly prepare for each guest.

Check-in may involve reviewing food, medications, veterinary records, emergency contact information, belongings, and special care instructions.

Giving each arrival a dedicated appointment helps reduce confusion and allows the process to be handled more carefully.

During check-in, we may review:

• Veterinary documentation
• Feeding instructions
• Medication instructions
• Emergency contacts
• Veterinarian information
• Health information
• Your cat’s behavior and personality
• Any belongings you brought from home

First-time guests should review our new guest information page before arrival.

Most importantly, bring your cat’s carrier.

Before leaving, make sure you also receive any remaining:

• Food
• Medications
• Bedding
• Toys
• Other belongings brought from home

Compatible cats from the same household may be able to share accommodations.

This can work well for cats who are closely bonded and accustomed to spending time together.

Separate accommodations are available.

Some cats may live together happily but still benefit from having their own personal space while boarding.

Adjoining condos may also be available depending on occupancy.

Visit our Rates for current multi-cat boarding prices.

Yes.

Kitty Cottage offers boarding options for households with multiple cats.

Contact us if you have three or more cats so we can discuss the best accommodation arrangement and availability.

Current daily rates depend on the number of cats and whether they are sharing or using separate accommodations.

Visit our Cat Boarding Rates page for current prices.

Kitty Cottage currently has a two-day minimum boarding charge.

See our Rates for complete pricing policies.

Discounted rates are available for qualifying extended stays.

Current extended-stay information is available on our Rates page.

A surcharge may apply during peak boarding periods.

These periods can include major holidays, school vacations, and the busy summer travel season.

Because peak dates fill quickly, we recommend requesting holiday boarding well in advance.

Request a Stay

If we notice a health concern, we will assess the situation and make reasonable efforts to contact you.

When appropriate, we may also contact your regular veterinarian.

If emergency veterinary treatment becomes necessary, Kitty Cottage has procedures in place for obtaining care.

Read our Health & Safety page for more information.

Yes.

Please provide your veterinarian’s name and contact information before boarding.

This information may be important if your cat needs care while you are away.

Yes.

A local emergency contact is strongly recommended, especially if you will be difficult to reach while traveling.