FAQs — bbcat Cage-Free Cat Boarding in Oakville
Everything you might want to know before booking.
Cage-free care, payment, drop-off timing, vaccinations, food, and what happens if plans change. If we missed yours, call us and we'll add it.
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Cage-free, calm, and built around your cat
Are you really 100% cage-free?
Yes. No cages, no kennels, no leashes at any point during your cat's stay. Guests roam in sunny, human-sized rooms with cat trees, scratch posts, soft bedding, and fresh toys. Because Abbie and Munib are home most of the day, your cat is rarely left unsupervised.
What's the difference between a Standard Stay and a Private Room?
A Standard Stay is a shared cage-free experience. After a quiet intake period in their own room, your cat gradually meets and shares the home with other guests at their own pace.
A Private Room is a fully solo stay in a dedicated space, ideal for shy cats, cats who don't socialise well, or anyone who prefers a one-cat-only experience.
Current pricing for both is on the Services & Rates page.
Will my cat interact with other cats?
In a Standard Stay, yes. Every new arrival gets its own room for at least the first 24 hours, then meets other guests gradually and under supervision. We decide when a cat is ready, and we can separate any cat at any time if the mix isn't working. Cats from the same family stay together.
Play, chasing, the odd hiss and swat, and minor scratches are normal cat behaviour and part of a shared home. Anything more than that, we tell you the same day.
If your cat must never share space with another cat, book a Private Room. Even then, your cat is staying in a home where other cats live, so it is a reduction in contact, not a bubble. The full policy is in our Terms of Service.
What does a typical day look like?
Three meals at 9 AM, 3 PM, and 9 PM (or your cat's own schedule), fresh water at all times, daily eye cleaning, brushing, individual play sessions, and catnip for those who enjoy it. We send photos and videos every single day so you can see how your cat is settling in.
Will my cat be alone overnight?
No. Abbie and Munib live at the home and sleep there every night. Your cat is never left at an empty facility, and there is always someone close by if anything comes up.
Do you host dogs too?
No. bbcat is exclusively a cats-only home, and we never plan to host dogs. The presence of dogs adds stress, noise, and unpredictable movement that can be distressing for cats, so committing to cats only keeps the whole home calm. More on this on our Philosophy page.
Simple handoffs, on your schedule
What are your drop-off and pick-up hours?
We host drop-offs and pick-ups any time between 9 AM and 9 PM, seven days a week. You pick the slot that fits your travel schedule when you fill out the booking form.
How does the timing actually work?
Once your booking is confirmed, we send a calendar invite with your specific drop-off and pick-up times. Please come at the times on the invite, that's when we'll be ready for you. If your plans change, just let us know and we'll send an updated invite.
Where do we come?
Our home is near Dundas and Trafalgar in Oakville. We share the full address with you in your booking confirmation and calendar invite once your stay is confirmed.
What should I bring for my cat?
It is encouraged for the cats to bring their own:
- Food (enough for the full stay, in their normal portion sizes)
- Any prescription medication, with clear instructions
- 1 or 2 favourite toys (we suggest larger toys, since cats sometimes hide small ones in secret corners)
- A small blanket or t-shirt that smells like home (optional, often comforting)
Note: Please do not bring cat towers or litter boxes. We have those covered.
Is there a carrier rule?
Yes. Every cat must arrive and leave in a carrier. No exceptions. Even the calmest cat can bolt at a busy front door, and the carrier keeps everyone safe during the handoff.
Can you pick my cat up from home?
Yes, we offer a Chauffeur add-on for drop-off and pick-up at your home in Oakville and parts of the GTA. See the Services & Rates page for current pricing and coverage area, or call us at (437) 344-0329 if you're unsure whether your address qualifies.
What every guest needs to be here
What vaccinations are required?
We require proof of current Rabies and FVRCP vaccinations before any booking is confirmed. This is non-negotiable and reflects standard practice at any reputable cat boarding home. It's how we keep every guest safe.
Do you accept declawed cats?
Yes, with one important nuance: we accept declawed cats only when they were adopted into your family already declawed. We don't penalise a cat, or a family, for a choice they didn't make. The practice itself is something we firmly disagree with (our Philosophy page has the full position), but we won't turn away a cat who's already living with it through no fault of their own.
What if my cat needs medication during the stay?
Most routine medications are no problem, including oral pills, liquids, and topical applications. Please flag any medication when you fill out the booking form so we can confirm we're set up to administer it. For complex needs (insulin injections, IV fluids, etc.), please reach out before booking so we can make sure your cat is in the right hands.
What happens if my cat gets sick during the stay?
We watch every guest closely. If we see something concerning, we contact you right away. We're located minutes from several Oakville vet clinics, and we'll work with you to choose the right next step. Your cat's regular vet's contact info is collected at intake so we have it on hand.
What if my cat arrives with fleas, ticks or another parasite?
Please check your cat before drop-off. If we find fleas, ticks, mites, worms or ringworm on arrival or during the stay, we isolate your cat and arrange vet-approved treatment right away, and the treatment is billed to you. If other guests were exposed, the cost of treating them and cleaning the home is yours as well, whether or not you knew about it. That sounds strict, and it is, because it protects every other cat in the house, including yours on your next visit.
Are there any cats you don't accept?
Cats must be 100% indoor, up to date on Rabies and FVRCP vaccinations, free of fleas, ticks and other parasites, and (if older than 7 months) spayed or neutered. Younger kittens are exempt from the spay/neuter requirement.
Indoor means indoor. A cat with any outdoor access, including supervised time outside, leash or harness walks, a catio, a balcony, a patio or a yard, is not eligible. Outdoor exposure is the most common way fleas, ticks and illness reach a shared home, so this one protects every guest. The full requirements list is on our Philosophy page.
Your cat's routine, kept the way you keep it
Can my cat keep their own food?
Yes, we strongly prefer it. Changing a cat's food during a stressful event like boarding can upset their stomach, so bringing their own food is the kindest option. We portion and serve it on their normal schedule.
What's the default feeding schedule?
Three meals at 9 AM, 3 PM, and 9 PM. We call it the 9-3-9 schedule. If your cat eats on a different rhythm (twice a day, free-feeding, or specific times), you tell us in your cat's Boarding Care Plan, and we match it exactly.
The Care Plan is a short online form for each cat: meal times and portions, food brands, medications, allergies, your vet and emergency contact, and anything else we should know. Once your booking is confirmed, we email you a private link to fill it in before drop-off. It stays on file, so repeat guests only update what has changed.
What about special diets?
Prescription diets, raw food, wet and dry mixed feeds, weight management diets, and other special plans are all accommodated. Your cat's Boarding Care Plan has space to write out the full plan, and we follow it.
One honest caveat for a shared home: we feed cats separately and supervise meals, but a determined cat can still sneak a bite from another bowl. If your cat has a strict prescription diet or a food allergy where any cross-feeding is dangerous, tell us before booking. A Private Room may be the safer choice.
Do you offer extras like grooming or in-home pick-up?
Yes. Current add-ons include a Spa Experience (bath and brush), a Chauffeur service (drop-off and pick-up at your home), and a Meal Package (we provide food for the stay so you don't need to pack any). Current pricing for each is on the Services & Rates page.
Will you send updates while my cat is here?
Yes. Photos and videos go out every single day, so you can see how your kitty is settling in and what they're up to. If anything needs your attention, we'll reach out directly by phone or email.
Pricing, paying, and what happens if plans change
When and how do I pay?
No deposit, and nothing is charged when you book. Once we approve your request, we email a secure Shopify card invoice for the full stay (discounts and HST already applied). Pay it whenever suits you before drop-off; it just needs to be settled by your drop-off day. One click pays it, and there is nothing more to pay at the door.
Do you take a deposit?
No. There is no deposit and no charge at booking. The full stay is paid in one go through the Shopify invoice we send after approval, any time up to your drop-off day. The handoff itself is just about getting your cat settled in.
What forms of payment do you accept?
Credit cards (Visa, Mastercard, American Express) and any other payment method available through Shopify's secure checkout. Everything runs through the invoice we send by email.
Are there holiday rates or peak-season fees?
No. Our rates are flat year-round. The same nightly rate in July as in December.
What's the cancellation policy?
If your plans change, please let us know as soon as possible and we will figure out the right path forward (refund, reschedule, or credit toward a future stay), depending on timing. The exact written policy lives on our Cancellation & Refund Policy page.
How fast do I get a response after submitting a booking request?
Most bookings are approved in about 2 hours during our regular hours. We'll email or text you to confirm availability and send the Shopify invoice for the full stay, payable by your drop-off day.
Have a question we didn't answer?
Call us, email us, or just submit a booking request and add your question in the notes. We respond fast (most requests get a reply in about 2 hours during our regular hours).
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