Everything pet parents ask us

What does cage-free cat boarding mean?

It means your cat is never shut in a cage or a crate. The Purring Lounge is a home in Shela, Ahmedabad, opened up for boarding — your cat stays in an air-conditioned room they can move around in, with cosy hideouts, familiar toys and a person around for company.

We keep the number of guests deliberately small, so every cat gets individual attention and playtime rather than a slot in a rota.

Do you offer day care as well as overnight boarding?

Yes. Day care is for pet parents who need cover during working hours — drop your cat off in the morning and collect them the same day. It includes playtime, meals and a comfortable place to rest.

Do you groom cats?

We do: dry wash, nail trimming, ear cleaning and coat maintenance. It can be added to a stay or booked on its own.

Will I get updates while I'm away?

Every stay includes a photo and video update once a day. The package that includes food also includes a daily video call, so you can see your cat rather than only hear how they are.

Can you take photos of my cat?

We photograph the cats in our care and sometimes use those pictures on Instagram and elsewhere. If you would rather we did not, say so when you book and we will not — it makes no difference to anything else about the stay.

What vaccinations does my cat need before boarding?

Every cat must be up to date on core vaccinations, which means FVRCP — feline viral rhinotracheitis, calicivirus and panleukopenia. We need to see proof of vaccination before the stay begins, and you can upload the record to your cat's profile when you book.

Cats also need to be on a regular deworming programme and free of fleas and ticks. If a cat arrives with external parasites we may treat them, at the pet parent's expense, to protect the other guests.

What if my cat is unwell?

Cats need to be in good general health to board. We may turn away a cat showing signs of a contagious illness — not to be difficult, but because everything that makes this a home rather than a row of cages also means an infection spreads.

If you are unsure, tell us before you travel rather than on the day.

Can you give my cat medication?

Yes. Send enough for the whole stay with clear written instructions — what, how much, and when. Tell us about any medical condition or behavioural quirk when you book, even if it seems minor; it is far easier to work with a cat when we know what to expect.

What happens in a medical emergency?

We will try to reach you on the emergency contact you left. If we cannot reach you in time, we will get your cat veterinary care rather than wait — the cost of that care is the pet parent's.

What will my cat eat?

We keep premium brands — Royal Canin, Sheba and Farmina N&D — and we cook at home when that is what a cat is used to. One of our packages includes food; with the other, the pet parent provides it.

If your cat is on a particular food, a prescription diet or a feeding routine, bring it and write the routine down. Cats are fussy and a strange bowl in a strange room is not the moment to change brands.

How do I book a stay?

Tell us your dates and which stay you are after. If you already have an account you can request the booking yourself; if this is your first time, the enquiry reaches us and we set your account up with the booking already on it, so it is waiting when you first sign in.

There are no passwords — signing in sends a code to your email address.

Is my booking confirmed as soon as I request it?

No. Every request is read by a person and is subject to availability — we hold a small number of slots, so the answer depends on who else is staying that week. You will see the booking move from requested to approved, and it is confirmed once payment is settled.

How much does cat boarding cost?

The rate depends on which stay you choose, how many cats are coming and how long they are staying — each package covers a number of cats and has a rate for each further one, and longer stays are discounted. The Services page lists exactly what each package includes.

Send us your dates and we will come back with the price for your stay.

Can I board more than one cat?

Yes, and cats from the same home stay together. Each package covers a number of cats, with a set rate for each further cat on the same booking.

Do you collect and drop off?

Sometimes, and it is arranged per booking rather than being part of every stay. Ask when you enquire and we will tell you whether we can cover your area on your dates.

Why do you ask for ID?

We ask for one photo ID — an Aadhaar or a passport — uploaded to your profile. Somebody is leaving a member of their family with us and we are handing that cat back to a person; knowing who both of those are is the least we can do about it.

It is stored privately and is not shown to anyone but us.

Where are you, and when are you open?

We are at Orchid Sky, Shela, Ahmedabad 380058, and we board cats from across Ahmedabad. Drop-offs and collections are between 9am and 8pm, any day of the week.

What should I pack?

Their food if you are providing it, any medication with instructions, and one or two things that smell of home — a blanket, a favourite toy. Litter is provided, so you do not need to bring that.

We look after whatever you send, but bedding and toys come back looking like a cat has had them for a week, so leave anything irreplaceable at home.

How far ahead should I book?

As early as you can. There are only a few slots at a time, and holidays and long weekends go first — that is the trade-off of a home rather than a facility.

My cat is shy and hates other cats. Is this the wrong place?

Not necessarily — it is often exactly the right place. A nervous cat in a facility has a cage and a lot of noise; here they have a room, a hideout and somebody who will leave them alone until they decide otherwise. Tell us what your cat is like when you book and we will plan around it.