There are a number of reasons why people either need to or want to board their cats. However, many have a hard time leaving their cats in a less-than-desirable space.

What if you could add a significant profit center to your business using space you already have in your facility and without a huge outlay of budget dollars? Customers are looking for a pleasant-looking and smelling, clean, and comfortable place for their cats to board. Does that describe your current cat boarding setup, or is there room for improvement? Perhaps you don’t offer cat boarding at all right now and don’t see the benefit in investing in it. In this two-part series, we will first answer the “why” behind starting or improving your cat boarding efforts, and then we will uncover the “how” – the components for a profitable addition to your boarding offerings with cat lodging.

Why Bother?
We all know that cat owners are less likely to board their cats than dog owners are, most often because cats are more self-sufficient and finicky if staying anywhere other than their home. Does that mean it’s a waste of time and money to invest in an appealing space for cats? Absolutely not. It just means we need to get a little more strategic about encouraging people to board their cats. If you have even a small room you can utilize for a cat boarding area, you have the opportunity to add a new profit center to your business.

Who Boards Cats?
Some people need to board their cats because their cats have medical issues and need daily shots or other medical attention, most often subcutaneous fluids for kidney failure and insulin shots or medication for diabetes. Others may be moving or showing their home to potential buyers and need a more long-term lodging solution. Still others don’t like the idea of leaving their cats home for an extended period of time, whether because of elimination issues or simply for the cat’s need for interaction and well-being. There are a number of reasons why people either need to or want to board their cats. However, many have a hard time leaving their cats in a less-than-desirable space.

What Does Your Space Say?
Let me give you two scenarios.

1. A customer, Anna, walks into a boarding facility and asks for a tour. The owner, Jim, proudly shows her around, highlighting all the features the facility has in place for dogs, which include spacious and comfortable kennels, daily walks, and a socialization program. Anna then tells Jim she has both a dog and a cat and needs occasional boarding for both. Jim shows her the cat boarding area, which is a small room filled with food and supplies from his dog business and, tucked in the corner, a few small cages for cat boarding. Anna thanks Jim for his time.
2. Anna then drives to your facility and requests a tour. You show her all of your great dog boarding features, which are very similar to the other kennels, and then take her to your cat boarding area. When you open the door, Anna notices the fresh smelling air and well-lit room right away. You explain that your cat condos have a ventilation system that keeps all the units smelling fresh right at the odor source. You open the door to one of the condos, showing her the durable and easy-to-clean plastic with portholes that can adjoin the units so cats have room to play. She’s immediately impressed with how clean the condos are and likes the idea of her cat getting to use more than one condo unit by using the portholes. You then tell her about the cat program you run, complete with play times and cuddle times and even a “nature walk” that allows the cats to get some fresh outside air safely.

Which boarding facility do you think Anna had a better feeling about? Which do you think she will choose when she has boarding needs, whether for only her dog or both her dog and cat? The answer should be obvious. Increasing your focus on cat boarding is smart for both your dog and your cat business.

The bottom line is this: give your customers a reason to board their cats at your facility. Show them that their cats’ comfort is a priority with a nice, clean space and a cat program. Let your accommodations assure them that their cats will be staying at a home away from home.

In the next issue, we will delve into the details of what makes a space appealing for both your customers and their cats, including easy-to-clean condos, odor elimination, comfort, activities, and distractions.

Stone Mountain Pet Products is a family-run business located in the heart of Minnesota. We have been taking our expertise in the pet care industry and applying it toward building better products for our customers around the country. This all started with Stone Mountain Pet Lodge, located in Blaine, MN. During the building process, Dave Larson, president and CEO, realized he needed better kennel equipment than what was on the market. Using his existing business, Larson Systems, and his mechanical engineering background, he created several totally new designs, which are still in use at Stone Mountain Pet Lodge today. Our equipment is still holding strong after many years of use with new customers seeing the added benefits of several improvements. Tim Larson is now heading up the sales effort while Rachel Larson is handling our writing. Many other family members and employees are involved in this business, tackling production, quality, IT, and many other aspects of the business. It has been a challenge and pleasure translating real world experience into useful products from which business owners across the country can benefit.

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