What to Look for in a Cat Hotel in Singapore: 7 Things Every Cat Owner Should Check

Most people booking their first cat hotel go by Google rating and distance. A year into running Kuro I'd already lost count of the owners who rang the buzzer with a cat who'd just been at a "vet-and-boarding" next to a barking run of dachshunds and needed a reset. Rating doesn't capture any of the seven things that actually determine whether your cat comes home the same cat. Here's what to check before you book any of them, ours included.

1. Is It a Cat-Only Facility?

People underestimate this. Cats and dogs communicate through scent and sound, so even if the animals are housed in separate rooms, the presence of dogs is a real stressor for cats. A genuine cat-only policy means no exceptions whatsoever.

2. Does the Facility Hold a Valid AVS Licence?

Singapore requires animal boarding businesses to obtain an AVS licence from the Animal and Veterinary Service under the National Parks Board. That licensing process covers hygiene, space standards, and animal welfare protocols. Reputable establishments display their licence number prominently; if you can't see it on the website or on the wall, ask.

3. Are the Suites Private or Shared?

Go private, not shared. In shared environments your cat is in close proximity to unfamiliar cats, which can cause stress, territorial anxiety, and in some cases, the transmission of illness. Private suites give each guest a dedicated feeding station, individual litter facilities, and a personal retreat space.

4. Is the Team Fear Free Certified?

Fear Free certification indicates staff training in low-stress handling techniques, anxiety-reducing environmental design, and feline behaviour recognition. Cats are extremely sensitive to handling. A well-meaning but untrained handler can cause a cat to associate boarding with fear, making every subsequent stay harder. (More on what Fear Free actually means in practice.)

5. Can You Watch Your Cat in Real Time?

24/7 live webcam access is now a standard offering at quality cat hotels. Owner-controlled access (where you retrieve footage directly via smartphone anytime) proves significantly more transparent than requesting staff-mediated footage reviews.

6. What Does the Daily Care Routine Look Like?

Inquire about:

• Suite cleaning frequency
• Pet-safe cleaning product usage
• Feeding schedule alignment with home routines
• Individual enrichment time per cat
• Illness response protocols

7. Will Your Cat Be Known as an Individual?

At smaller facilities, staff recognise each cat by name, temperament, and preference. The staff know that your cat is shy around strangers, that they prefer their food served at room temperature, that they sleep better with a worn piece of your clothing in the suite. That kind of personalisation requires deliberate capacity limits and thorough intake procedures; it's the reason we cap occupancy and keep a detailed care plan for every guest.

Quick Checklist Before Booking

• Cat-only policy with no exceptions
• Current valid AVS licence (verify the number)
• Private suites exclusively
• Fear Free staff certification
• Owner-controlled 24/7 webcam access
• Documented daily care protocols
• Individualised care planning