frequently asked questions

What are the suites like?

We have 44 suites between our two locations. The Standard and Special Needs Suites are the same general amount of cubic feet, about 216 cubic feet. Some are wider. Some are longer and narrower. But they fall into the general size of 4 feet wide, 6 feet long, and 9 feet tall. All suites have a skybox balcony, a large window with a view into the aviary, a full one-light glass door, a scratching carpet, and multiple levels. (Exceptions: Special Needs Suites do not contain a skybox for the safety of our mobility-challenged guests. The Garden Room is the only suite not connected to the aviary, but it does have a window with an outside view of the neighborhood behind us.)

What do I bring?

We provide a memory foam bed, litter box and litter, and serving dishes for food and water. You'll bring plenty of food, vaccination records, Meowhaus paperwork, flea protection, medication, and anything extra you'd like. There's plenty of space, so feel free to bring extra bedding, blankets, toys (no strings or rubber bands), or anything you think your kitty would enjoy. Forget something? We have a bunch of comfy and fun things to add to the room.

What vaccinations are required?

FVRCP and Rabies. For kitties who are exempt from vaccinations due to health reasons, an exemption letter from your vet is acceptable.

My cat is indoors-only and never had fleas. Do I still need flea protection?

Yes. Everyone is responsible for protecting their own kitties from flea transference. We occasionally get kitties staying with us who arrive with an active flea infestation. We treat them immediately, but there is still a chance a flea could bounce around until it finds a new host. You definitely don't want that to happen. (We have Advantage in stock if you forget for $20 a dose, which lasts 30 days.)

Do kitties get individual attention?

Constantly. We visit, hug, kiss, pet, and brush kitties in their suites. We have Kitty Cuddlers on staff who do nothing but give kitties attention during their two-hour shifts. Adventurous kitties can roam around the shop if they so desire (one family at a time - kitties do not intermingle with other kitties from different families). Some kitties just like to wander around, while others jump up on the desk and help us answer emails. We do not open the front door unless all kitties are secure in their suites, so you may need to wait at the front door for a minute while we make sure everyone is safe in their suites.

Can I come by for a tour?

Yes! We offer tours by appointment only. A quiet and loving atmosphere is our focus, so we limit the times we allow guests into the shop. We generally offer tours from 10am-11:30am and 2pm-4:00pm Tuesday-Saturday. A lot of kitties depart on Monday, so we do not offer tours that day.

My cat requires medication. Do you do that?

Yes. We can administer pills, liquids, and ointments for $5/day. We can administer insulin, sub-q fluids, and bladder expressions for $15/day. We have a licensed veterinary technician on staff. Kitties on medications receive care first in the morning and last at night. This constitutes about a 9-hour spread. We are sorry, but we are unable to offer a 12-hour spread. If you have any concerns, contact your vet.

Do I bring my own food?

Yes. We recommend you bring more than enough food for the length of the stay. We have a fridge/freezer for wet/raw food and a microwave. If you have treats, bring those, too. If you forget food, we have a variety of wet and dry selections for $3/day.

What is daily kitty care like?

Every day upon arrival, we wish your kitties a 'Good morning,' shake out beds, empty litter boxes, sweep the shelves and the floor in the suite, wipe up messes, provide fresh water and food, and administer medications. We then fill out your kitty's progress report, noting how much the kitty ate and how much elimination was in the litter box. Once kitties are cared for, we tidy up the shop. In between emails, phone calls, arrivals, and departures we visit the kitties. Our Kitty Cuddlers don't have to do any of the human stuff, so they can cuddle with them uninterrupted. Some kitties get served lunch around noon. Then we close from 12pm-2pm. This quiet time is very important to our nervous and shy guests, as they are more likely to eat and use the litter box when no one is around. We arrive back at 2pm for cuddling until it's time to start the dinner routine, which is a repeat of the morning routine.

What are your hours?

We are open for arrivals, departures, and appointments Monday-Saturday from 9am-noon and 2pm-5pm. Kitty care, however, happens daily, including Sundays and holidays.

Can I bring my kitty in or pick my kitty up on a Sunday or a Holiday?

No. Kitty care does happen on these days, but these are days that staff is meant to spend with friends and family. Please do not reduce that already-limited time by asking for a special appointment.

Can I drop my kitty off in the morning? Can I pick my kitty up in the afternoon?

We work just like a people hotel: guests arrive in the afternoon when the room is ready and depart in the morning so that the room can be prepped for the next guest. But we do offer morning arrivals and afternoon departures for an extra fee due to the extra time and labor required. Select your arrival and departure times on the reservation request page.

I have more than one kitty. Can they stay in the same suite?

Yes. Suites are designed to house one or two kitties. We have larger suites for larger families. If you have three or more kitties, we recommend the Sun Room, Garden Room, or Library.

I have two kitties that have different diets. Do I need to reserve two suites?

Yes. Although we can monitor food consumption during the day, we cannot do so at night.

How early should I make a reservation?

As early as possible. We will fill up for Christmas and Thanksgiving by early October. Spring Break will be sold out by mid-February. We have a wait list for most holidays weeks or months in advance.

My outdoor cat doesn't have a litter box since the world is the litter box. Will my kitty have trouble adjusting?

Kitties are amazing and know what to do and where to do it. Give them a box where they can bury their output, and MAGIC!

I need to cancel. What should I do?

Just reply to your confirmation email that you need to cancel. We'll remove you from the schedule. If it's less than 4 days prior to your arrival, you will be charged a $50 cancellation fee.

Do you require a deposit?

No. You pay when you arrive to pick up your kitty. You can always pre-pay at drop off to make the check out process faster.

How do you clean the suite before my kitty arrives?

Beds, boxes and bowls are removed. The entire suite is swept of hair and litter. All surfaces are sprayed with pet-safe cleaner and wiped. Then the entire suite is sprayed with the same cleaning solution your vet uses between patients. Once that is dry, we use window cleaner to wipe the aviary window and the glass door. Then we re-fill the room with a laundered bed, fresh litter box, fresh litter, and fresh scoop.