Petscene: Boarding alternatives are for cats only

THE ASSOCIATED PRESS
April 21, 2008

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A newly opened hotel and spa in Oklahoma City is certainly upscale. But the exclusive guest list is limited to those with fur, whiskers and claws.

Aristocats Feline Suites Hotel and Spa is the vision of Allennia Voerster, who spent nearly three decades as a veterinary technician and pet groomer.

But Voerster has a special place in her heart for cats, and understands their needs when it comes to boarding and grooming.

Typically when an animal is boarded at a veterinarian’s office they stay in a cage during their sojourn. Often cats are also in close proximity to dogs.

The hotel and spa opened recently and instead of cages, offers roomy suites for cats in a strictly no-dogs-allowed environment.

“Cats get real upset with noise and things that are unfamiliar,” Voerster said. “Here they’re not going to have barking dogs.”

The feline guests at Aristocats are also pampered with options like a heated bed, a shave, a hydrotherapy bath or a comb-out of matted fur. Aristocats has 28 suites with cat related names like “Pawdre Island” and “Kittymunjaro,” and are painted pink for females and brown for males. Stays can vary from a few hours to a few weeks.

A similar business in Tulsa has found success boarding cats in a comfortable environment since it opened more than three years ago.

Jody Lorimor, owner of Catnip Cottage, founded a cat rescue group in Tulsa called Street Cats, and after retiring began to look into boarding options for cats.

The answer was 21 suites designed especially for cats in a cozy cottage setting with classical music piped into the building.

“I always thought it would be great to have a place that was cats only, no dogs allowed, and where they weren’t in little metal cages.” Lorimor said.

Catnip Cottage does not offer grooming. Instead, special perks include cat snacks and a nightly “Happy Hour,” where guests are treated to Fancy Feast canned food.

Neither cat boarding business operates as a veterinarian or claims that they do.

Instead Voerster said she can administer medicine, but does not treat sick animals. At both businesses cats must have current vaccinations before checking in.

“I’m not here to be a veterinary clinic,” Voerster said.

Catnip Cottage has three vets at its disposal if a feline should require medical assistance.

The specific needs of finicky cats are also a top priority for both businesses.

While dogs are often more gregarious and benefit by mingling with other dogs, cats prefer to be left alone.

To respect the individual cats, and their unique personalities, they are kept apart unless housed with a familiar cat or family member. Bringing a familiar blanket or plaything is also encouraged at both businesses.

And when dealing with felines, there are some job hazards.

Voerster said she has been scratched, and infection is always a concern, although she said in her years she has found that most any cat can be calmed enough for a bath, nail trim or clipping.

And while boarding dogs requires a kennel license, Voerster said the same ordinances do not apply to cats, which are typically quiet and stay indoors.

So far, Voerster has been making the rounds at local veterinarian offices to spread the word that the hotel and spa is open, and has been boarding and grooming cats she has cared for at previous jobs at veterinary clinics.

Lorimor said she stays pretty full with feline guests, and most of her business comes from word-of-mouth.

Rates for boarding at Aristocats runs from about $15 to $25 per day. At Catnip Cottage boarding runs from $15 to $30 per night depending on the size of the suite and accommodations.

At both businesses the owners said their goal is provide a comfortable environment for cats by people who love cats and provide an alternative to traditional boarding.

“It’s about knowing cats,” Voerster said with a smile. “And I know cats.”