Long-term Boarding: FAQs - The Sunshine Home at This Old Cat


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Important Questions You Need to Ask

Question: The Sunshine Home's Answer: The Others?:

Does the facility also board dogs? No. We love ALL animals equally however cats do need peace and quiet, not barking. We're not a kennel that added cats as an afterthought... the new building, our mission and our philosophy -- it's all geared exclusively towards ONLY cats.

How does the facility measure the cats' living quarters? Square feet, NOT cubic inches. Our rooms range in size from 42 to 55 square feet with 7 foot high ceilings and a 4'x4' picture window in EACH room. The others may call theirs “luxury condos” or “kitty suites” but don't be fooled! They simply are just fancy names for cages. We do NOT use cages, we have only INDIVIDUAL ROOMS.

Does the facility offer short-term and long-term boarding? We offer ONLY long-term care for cats. It makes for a more home-like less-stress environment for your cats as there are not a lot of people and strange cats coming and going all the time.

How many animals board at the facility at any given time? Some places may board 50, 70, even 100 cats. We, on the other hand, have averaged about 24 cats boarding with us at one time, giving us the opportunity to offer more personalized care. For us it's definitely QUALITY, not quantity.

How do the facility's rates compare to others? Unlike most other places we charge by the room, not by the cat. Single cats wishing to have their own rooms get what they want. Multiple cat families get to stay together in their own room or rooms. At The Sunshine Home you also can earn “free” months with extended stays, meaning it may be as little as $5 a night with multiple cats.

How about 'hidden charges' or extra charges? Again, with us, it's a simple answer. While other places may charge you $2 to trim your cat's nails, or $3 each time they pill or medicate your cat -- or even $10 for 'playtime' -- We have NO EXTRA 'HIDDEN' CHARGES! We don't charge you extra for things such as most medical conditions, most diets, pilling, toys, local trips to the vet, lap time, nail trimming, play time or grooming... because at The Sunshine Home, your cats are treated as if they were a part of our family!

What about 'special needs' cats, very old cats, aggressive cats or shy cats? We accept virtually ANY cat as long as we have a room available for them. We have the knowledge, experience, patience and most important, the DEDICATION to keeping your cats loved, healthy and safe.

Are all of the facility's employees trained and experienced in cat behavior? With us, it's a simple answer. We have no employees, no turnover of help, no concerns about untrained people working with your cats... it's the two of us, combined with close to 60 years of experience with cats and their behavior. Check out a list of our qualifications here!

Will the facility offer references? Absolutely. We've built this business on trust, with people such as you putting their cats into our hands for months or even years. All the advertising in the world cannot replace what people have to say about us, so yes, upon request we'll gladly offer up references.

What steps does the facility take to reduce and eliminate stress for the guest felines? We feel this one question is probably the MOST IMPORTANT QUESTION YOU CAN ASK, yet surprisingly many places haven't a clue as to the answer. At The Sunshine Home it was Priority Number One from the beginning. A recent study completed by Tufts University Researchers (Assessment of Stress Levels Among Cats in Four Animal Shelters, Journal of the American Veterinary Medical Association, Vol. 226, No. 4, February 15, 2005) concludes, among other things, that barking dogs, artificial lighting and cramped cages can contribute to high stress levels in cats. We have no barking dogs to stress the cats. The Sunshine Home has 35 windows and about 1/3 of total wall space is glass! We have extremely high levels of all natural lighting throughout the facility. And as previous stated, we have no cages... just spacious rooms. Another study (Quality of Life Issues for Companion Animal Shelters, a Doing Things for Animals presentation by Gary Patronek, VMD, PhD, Tufts Center for Animals and Public Policy, Chicago, IL, October 2, 1999) found that, among other things, high stress in cats can be caused by exposure to too many people, no privacy, housing with dogs, chemical smells, overwhelmed caregivers, crowded small cages, noise from public and other animals, constant activity and changing traffic, confinement and even isolation from other cats. Suffice it to say The Sunshine Home addresses EACH AND EVERY ONE of these issues to keep the cats in our care healthy and happy... where they don't just survive, they thrive!

My pet sitter says cats are very territorial and because of this they never do well in boarding facilities... is this true? Well let us first state that having a qualified, bonded pet sitter come to your home to care for your cats is probably your best choice for SHORT-term care. However, locked up in your house or apartment for more than a few weeks with only the occasional human visit just isn't healthy for your cats. The basic feline social structure is a lot like that of people. They need interaction, they need stimulation and they need challenges to thrive in a safe, home-like environment. Cats are more creatures of habit than territorial. And because we're not an ordinary cat boarding facility, we know best how to maintain your cat's routine and still provide the mental and physical stimulation they crave!

Does your facility have a disaster plan in place? Absolutely. While you don't have to worry about hurricanes and earthquakes here in Upstate New York, we DO plan for emergencies just in case and although we'll probably never need it we have it. One more way we offer you peace of mind.

Will you arrange for transportation and do export paperwork if our cats have to go overseas? Whether you live next door, across the state, across the country or across the ocean we can help to arrange all your transportation needs! And if your cats are going to the UK, Iceland, Japan or Australia we're familiar with the process -- and we have a professional pet transport service we recommend that will work closely with us and handle it all for you!

I'll be traveling overseas, and I worry about what would ever happen to my cats if something happens to me! Do you plan for this? Of course! We have what we call a "Letter of Guardianship". It's a form that, if you should die while your cats are boarded here, authorizes your estate executor or trustee to keep the cats here where they can live out the rest of their natural lives with love and plenty of quality care! Yet ONE MORE way we offer you peace of mind.

Oh yes, and if you're considering simply leaving your furry four-legged kids with a "friend" while you're away, take a look at some actual postings we've found recently while browsing the internet:

Give your cats the luxury and love they so much deserve while you're away! Choose The Sunshine Home at This Old Cat for your long-term boarding!

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site last updated June 1, 2008

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Please contact us for more information:
The Sunshine Home at This Old Cat * P.O. Box 320, Honeoye, NY 14471-0320
New York Local Phone 585.919.6557 * USA Toll-Free Phone 1.866.388.4707 * USA Toll-Free Fax 1.866.343.2737
London, UK Local Phone 020.3372.4184 (London calls accepted only between 17:00 - 23:00 GMT please)


Important Questions You Need to Ask

Question:	The Sunshine Home's Answer:	The Others?:

Does the facility also board dogs?	No. We love ALL animals equally however cats do need peace and quiet, not barking. We're not a kennel that added cats as an afterthought... the new building, our mission and our philosophy -- it's all geared exclusively towards ONLY cats.

How does the facility measure the cats' living quarters?	Square feet, NOT cubic inches. Our rooms range in size from 42 to 55 square feet with 7 foot high ceilings and a 4'x4' picture window in EACH room. The others may call theirs “luxury condos” or “kitty suites” but don't be fooled! They simply are just fancy names for cages. We do NOT use cages, we have only INDIVIDUAL ROOMS.

Does the facility offer short-term and long-term boarding?	We offer ONLY long-term care for cats. It makes for a more home-like less-stress environment for your cats as there are not a lot of people and strange cats coming and going all the time.

How many animals board at the facility at any given time?	Some places may board 50, 70, even 100 cats. We, on the other hand, have averaged about 24 cats boarding with us at one time, giving us the opportunity to offer more personalized care. For us it's definitely QUALITY, not quantity.

How do the facility's rates compare to others?	Unlike most other places we charge by the room, not by the cat. Single cats wishing to have their own rooms get what they want. Multiple cat families get to stay together in their own room or rooms. At The Sunshine Home you also can earn “free” months with extended stays, meaning it may be as little as $5 a night with multiple cats.

How about 'hidden charges' or extra charges?	Again, with us, it's a simple answer. While other places may charge you $2 to trim your cat's nails, or $3 each time they pill or medicate your cat -- or even $10 for 'playtime' -- We have NO EXTRA 'HIDDEN' CHARGES! We don't charge you extra for things such as most medical conditions, most diets, pilling, toys, local trips to the vet, lap time, nail trimming, play time or grooming... because at The Sunshine Home, your cats are treated as if they were a part of our family!

What about 'special needs' cats, very old cats, aggressive cats or shy cats?	We accept virtually ANY cat as long as we have a room available for them. We have the knowledge, experience, patience and most important, the DEDICATION to keeping your cats loved, healthy and safe.

Are all of the facility's employees trained and experienced in cat behavior?	With us, it's a simple answer. We have no employees, no turnover of help, no concerns about untrained people working with your cats... it's the two of us, combined with close to 60 years of experience with cats and their behavior. Check out a list of our qualifications here!

Will the facility offer references?	Absolutely. We've built this business on trust, with people such as you putting their cats into our hands for months or even years. All the advertising in the world cannot replace what people have to say about us, so yes, upon request we'll gladly offer up references.

What steps does the facility take to reduce and eliminate stress for the guest felines?	We feel this one question is probably the MOST IMPORTANT QUESTION YOU CAN ASK, yet surprisingly many places haven't a clue as to the answer. At The Sunshine Home it was Priority Number One from the beginning. A recent study completed by Tufts University Researchers (Assessment of Stress Levels Among Cats in Four Animal Shelters, Journal of the American Veterinary Medical Association, Vol. 226, No. 4, February 15, 2005) concludes, among other things, that barking dogs, artificial lighting and cramped cages can contribute to high stress levels in cats. We have no barking dogs to stress the cats. The Sunshine Home has 35 windows and about 1/3 of total wall space is glass! We have extremely high levels of all natural lighting throughout the facility. And as previous stated, we have no cages... just spacious rooms. Another study (Quality of Life Issues for Companion Animal Shelters, a Doing Things for Animals presentation by Gary Patronek, VMD, PhD, Tufts Center for Animals and Public Policy, Chicago, IL, October 2, 1999) found that, among other things, high stress in cats can be caused by exposure to too many people, no privacy, housing with dogs, chemical smells, overwhelmed caregivers, crowded small cages, noise from public and other animals, constant activity and changing traffic, confinement and even isolation from other cats. Suffice it to say The Sunshine Home addresses EACH AND EVERY ONE of these issues to keep the cats in our care healthy and happy... where they don't just survive, they thrive!

My pet sitter says cats are very territorial and because of this they never do well in boarding facilities... is this true?	Well let us first state that having a qualified, bonded pet sitter come to your home to care for your cats is probably your best choice for SHORT-term care. However, locked up in your house or apartment for more than a few weeks with only the occasional human visit just isn't healthy for your cats. The basic feline social structure is a lot like that of people. They need interaction, they need stimulation and they need challenges to thrive in a safe, home-like environment. Cats are more creatures of habit than territorial. And because we're not an ordinary cat boarding facility, we know best how to maintain your cat's routine and still provide the mental and physical stimulation they crave!

Does your facility have a disaster plan in place?	Absolutely. While you don't have to worry about hurricanes and earthquakes here in Upstate New York, we DO plan for emergencies just in case and although we'll probably never need it we have it. One more way we offer you peace of mind.

Will you arrange for transportation and do export paperwork if our cats have to go overseas?	Whether you live next door, across the state, across the country or across the ocean we can help to arrange all your transportation needs! And if your cats are going to the UK, Iceland, Japan or Australia we're familiar with the process -- and we have a professional pet transport service we recommend that will work closely with us and handle it all for you!

I'll be traveling overseas, and I worry about what would ever happen to my cats if something happens to me! Do you plan for this?	Of course! We have what we call a "Letter of Guardianship". It's a form that, if you should die while your cats are boarded here, authorizes your estate executor or trustee to keep the cats here where they can live out the rest of their natural lives with love and plenty of quality care! Yet ONE MORE way we offer you peace of mind.