10 Cattery Booking Mistakes NZ Cat Owners Keep Making
Here's something cattery owners across New Zealand will tell you privately: most cat owners make the same handful of mistakes, over and over. Not because they don't care — they clearly do — but because nobody tells them what to do differently until it's too late.
We hear it constantly at PawSpot. Someone rings a cattery two weeks before Christmas and can't understand why there's no space. An owner drops off a cat who hasn't been vaccinated in three years and has to cancel their flight while they sort it out. A nervous first-timer packs half their house into a carrier bag, overwhelming both the cat and the staff.
None of these are disasters. But they're all avoidable, and avoiding them makes the whole experience better — for you, your cat, and the cattery.
Quick Answer
The costliest mistakes are booking too late for peak periods (Christmas catteries fill by April-May), not checking vaccination timelines (your cat needs the jab at least 7-14 days before the stay), and choosing purely on price without visiting first. A 10-minute phone call and one visit can prevent most of the problems on this list.
1. Leaving Christmas and Holiday Bookings Too Late
This is the number one mistake, and it catches people out every single year.
NZ catteries start filling their Christmas slots months in advance. Many are fully booked for the December-January peak by April or May. Some have regular clients who rebook for the following Christmas the moment they pick up their cat in January.
It's not just Christmas either. Easter, school holidays, and long weekends fill up fast — particularly at popular catteries with strong reviews and limited capacity. A boutique cattery with 12 units doesn't have much room for latecomers.
What to do instead: Book peak periods as early as you can. If you know your Christmas travel dates by February or March, ring and book then. Many catteries require a non-refundable deposit for holiday bookings (typically 30-50% by October), so factor that into your planning.
If you've left it too late, our emergency and last-minute cat boarding guide has strategies for finding space at short notice.
2. Not Visiting Before You Book
You wouldn't leave your child at a daycare you'd never seen. Your cat deserves the same consideration.
Yet plenty of owners book entirely online — based on a website, a few Google reviews, and a vibe. The problem? Websites show the best angles on the best days. A visit shows you reality.
During a tour you'll notice things no website reveals: whether the place smells clean, how the cats already there behave, whether staff actually know the animals in their care, and whether the units match the photos. The SPCA recommends visiting boarding establishments before booking — and they make that recommendation for good reason.
What to do instead: Visit at least two catteries before deciding. Our cattery inspection checklist covers exactly what to look for and ask during your tour.
3. Forgetting About Vaccination Timelines
This one catches people out more than almost anything else. You book the cattery, mark your calendar, and start looking forward to your trip. Then, a week before drop-off, you realise your cat's vaccinations have lapsed.
Here's the problem: most catteries require the F3 vaccine (covering Feline Panleucopenia, Herpesvirus, and Calicivirus), and if your cat's jab has lapsed, they'll need a booster at least 7-14 days before boarding for it to take effect. Some catteries require a full two weeks. If your cat has never been vaccinated, they'll need two doses several weeks apart.
You can't rush immunology. Your vet can't compress the timeline just because your flight's on Saturday.
What to do instead: Check your cat's vaccination status the moment you book the cattery — not the week before drop-off. If there's a gap, book the vet appointment immediately. Our vaccination requirements guide has the full timeline.
4. Choosing on Price Alone
It's tempting. Cattery A charges $17 a day, Cattery B charges $28. Over a two-week holiday, that's a $154 difference. Of course you're going to think about it.
But the cheapest option isn't always the best value. A cattery charging well below the market average might be cutting corners on staffing, cleaning frequency, heating, or food quality. According to our 2026 cost breakdown, most NZ catteries charge between $18-26 per day for a single cat in a standard unit. Anything significantly below that range is worth investigating — not avoiding automatically, but questioning.
On the flip side, the most expensive option isn't automatically the best either. You're sometimes paying for fancy branding rather than better care.
What to do instead: Compare what you get for the price. Ask about staff-to-cat ratios, cleaning schedules, heating, and food quality. A cattery charging $22 a day with excellent care is better value than one charging $15 where your cat sits in a cold unit with once-daily cleaning.
5. Overpacking (Or Underpacking)
There are two extremes, and both cause problems.
The overpackers arrive with a bag the size of a carry-on: three blankets, five toys, two different food brands, a scratching post, and a framed photo of the family. The cattery staff appreciate the thought, but there's nowhere to put it all. The unit gets cluttered, the cat feels overwhelmed, and the toys end up in a pile in the corner.
The underpackers bring nothing. No familiar bedding, no comfort items, no favourite toy. Their cat arrives in a sterile-smelling unit with nothing that smells like home, and takes twice as long to settle in.
What to do instead: Pack smart. One blanket or bed that smells like home (don't wash it beforehand — the home scent is the whole point), one or two familiar toys, and your cat's usual food. That's it. Our packing checklist has the complete list.
6. Skipping the Trial Stay
Your cat has never been boarded before. You're going away for two weeks. So you book a fortnight-long stay and hope for the best.
This is a bit like running a marathon without ever jogging around the block. Some cats will cope fine. Others won't — and you'll only find out when you're halfway around the world and the cattery calls to say your cat hasn't eaten in three days.
What to do instead: Book a one or two-night trial stay a few weeks before the real thing. It shows you how your cat handles the transition, gives the cattery a chance to learn your cat's quirks, and gives your cat a "this place is okay, and my human comes back" experience that makes the longer stay far less stressful.
Many NZ catteries actively encourage trial stays for first-timers. If the one you're considering doesn't offer this, ask why.
7. Not Mentioning Your Cat's Quirks
Every cat has things about them that are obvious to their owner and invisible to everyone else. Maybe yours only drinks running water. Maybe she hides behind the toilet when she's nervous. Maybe he bites if you touch his belly. Maybe she needs her food warmed slightly.
These aren't things cattery staff can guess. And if you don't mention them at booking or drop-off, your cat's going to have a harder time — and the staff are going to wonder why she's not eating or why he just bit someone.
What to do instead: Write it all down. Feeding preferences, behaviour quirks, triggers, medications, litter preferences, how they show stress — everything. Good catteries will ask detailed questions at intake, but don't wait to be asked. Volunteer the information. The article on what cattery staff wish owners knew has more on this.
8. Changing Food Right Before Boarding
You've been meaning to switch your cat to that premium food, and boarding seems like a good time to make the change. Or maybe you've run out of their usual brand and figure the cattery will have something.
Don't do this. Cats are creatures of habit, and a sudden diet change combined with the stress of a new environment is a recipe for stomach upset, refusal to eat, or both. Vomiting and diarrhoea in a boarded cat means extra cleaning for staff, potential dehydration for your cat, and possibly a vet visit.
What to do instead: Send your cat with enough of their regular food to cover the entire stay, plus a few days' buffer. Measure out daily portions in labelled bags if you want to make it easy for staff. If you're planning a food transition, do it at home, well before the boarding date.
9. Not Reading the Cancellation Policy
You booked in June for a December stay. In November, your plans change. You ring to cancel and discover the deposit is non-refundable, or you owe 50% of the total stay.
This isn't the cattery being difficult. Holiday bookings are their peak revenue period. When you cancel a Christmas booking in November, that unit probably stays empty — no one else is going to find it at that point. The cattery planned staffing and supplies around your booking.
What to do instead: Read the terms before you pay the deposit. Every reputable cattery will spell out their cancellation policy. Typical NZ holiday booking terms include:
- 30+ days before stay: Full refund or free cancellation
- 14-30 days before: Partial refund or credit toward a future stay
- Under 14 days: No refund on deposit
- Christmas/New Year: Stricter terms, non-refundable deposits often due by October
If your travel plans are uncertain, ask about the cancellation policy upfront and factor it into your decision. Our peak season boarding guide covers holiday booking strategies in detail.
10. Making Drop-Off Emotional
You love your cat. Leaving them somewhere unfamiliar feels terrible. So you linger. You stroke them through the carrier. You whisper reassurances. You might even tear up a bit.
Your cat reads every signal you send. If you're anxious and emotional, they're going to mirror it. A long, drawn-out goodbye tells your cat that something is wrong — that this is a situation worth being anxious about.
What to do instead: Keep drop-off calm, brief, and matter-of-fact. Hand over the paperwork, pass along the food and blanket, say a quick goodbye, and leave. The cattery staff have done this thousands of times. Your cat will settle faster without your anxiety in the room.
It sounds cold, but it's the kindest thing you can do. Our guide to preparing your cat for first-time boarding has more tips on making the transition smooth.
Bonus: Mistakes to Avoid After Boarding
The booking mistakes don't stop at drop-off. Here are two common post-boarding errors:
Expecting your cat to be thrilled to see you. Some cats greet their owners with purrs and headbutts. Others ignore them for days. Some hiss. This is normal — it's called "displaced aggression" or simply the cat readjusting. Don't take it personally. Give them space, keep things calm, and let them come to you. Our post-boarding behaviour guide explains what to expect.
Rushing back to normal. After a boarding stay, your cat needs time to decompress. Throwing a welcome-home party with visitors, immediately introducing new furniture, or changing their routine again just piles more stress on top of the boarding transition. Give them a quiet day or two to settle back in.
The Simple Pre-Booking Checklist
Before you confirm any cattery booking, run through this:
- Vaccination status checked — and vet appointment booked if needed (7-14 days minimum before stay)
- Cattery visited in person — you've seen the units and met the staff
- Cancellation policy read and understood — especially for holiday periods
- Cat's quirks and needs documented — feeding habits, behaviour, medications, preferences
- Enough regular food packed — plus a few days' buffer
- One comfort item from home — unwashed blanket or bed
- Trial stay completed — especially for first-time boarders
- Emergency contact details provided — your number, a backup person, and your vet's details
FAQ
How far in advance should I book a cattery for Christmas in NZ?
As early as possible — ideally by April or May. Many NZ catteries are fully booked for the December-January peak well before winter. Regular clients often rebook for the following year in January. If you're booking after October, expect very limited options.
What vaccinations does my cat need for boarding?
Most NZ catteries require a current F3 vaccination covering Feline Panleucopenia, Herpesvirus, and Calicivirus. The vaccine needs to be given at least 7-14 days before boarding. If your cat's never been vaccinated, they'll need two doses several weeks apart — plan accordingly.
Can I cancel a cattery booking and get my deposit back?
It depends on the cattery's policy and how far in advance you cancel. Most offer full refunds for cancellations 30+ days before the stay. For holiday bookings, deposits are often non-refundable after a set date (typically October for Christmas stays). Always read the cancellation terms before paying.
Should I do a trial stay before a longer booking?
Yes, especially for cats who've never been boarded. A one or two-night trial a few weeks before the real stay helps your cat learn that the environment is safe and that you come back. It also lets the cattery learn your cat's habits and needs.
What if my cat won't eat at the cattery?
Some cats skip meals for the first day or two — that's normal adjustment behaviour. Good catteries monitor food intake closely and will try different approaches (warming food, offering it by hand, trying a quieter spot). If a cat refuses food beyond 48 hours, most will contact you and potentially involve a vet. Sending your cat's regular food rather than relying on the cattery's options significantly reduces this risk.
Is a more expensive cattery always better?
Not necessarily. Price reflects facilities, location, and staffing — but the most important factor is the quality of daily care. A well-run family cattery at $20/day can be better than a flashy facility at $35/day. Visit both and compare what you actually see, not what they charge.
