Starting a cat boarding business often begins with a simple idea and a spare room. But it might be time to grow your operation if you've found yourself fully booked with a waitlist of whiskered guests and dreams of expansion dancing in your head.
Scaling a cattery is an exciting (and sometimes daunting) journey—but with the right strategy, you can go from a cozy one-room setup to a full-fledged feline resort. Here's how to do it, step-by-step—with plenty of purr-sonality along the way.
Step 1: Know When You're Ready to Grow
Before drafting blueprints or shopping for climbing walls, assess your current situation. Signs that it's time to scale include:
- You're turning away bookings due to lack of space.
- Your clients keep asking, "Are you ever going to get bigger space?"
- You're running at full capacity while still managing a waitlist.
- You're financially stable, with a steady stream of returning customers.
Growth is exciting, but it is only sustainable if it is grounded in demand, profitability, and a clear vision.
Step 2: Envision Your Ideal Facility
What does "scaled up" look like to you? Is it 10 luxury cat suites and a playroom with wall-mounted perches? Or a full-service feline care center offering grooming, enrichment activities, and retail products?
Sketch out your dream facility, then work backward:
- How many cats can you realistically accommodate?
- How will you separate guests safely and comfortably?
- What kinds of amenities (e.g., private suites, enrichment toys, webcams)?
As you grow, this vision will guide your space planning, budgeting, and marketing.
Step 3: Budget Wisely—And Creatively
Scaling requires an investment, so crunch the numbers. Consider:
- Lease or construction costs
- Permits, inspections, and zoning approvals
- Equipment and furniture (think: kennels, ventilation, shelving)
- Staff wages and training
- Software upgrades for booking and client management
If your community of cat lovers is passionate and loyal, look into small business loans, grants for pet-care businesses, or even crowdfunding.
Hot tip: Avoid growing too fast. A phased approach—expanding into a second room or adding modular enclosures—can help you scale sustainably.
Step 4: Prioritize the Cat Experience
As any cat lover knows, felines have their own personalities, preferences, and needs. As you expand, keep cat behavior in mind when planning your space or expansion.
- Provide vertical space and hiding spots.
- Use scent-neutralizing cleaners.
- Ensure rooms are quiet and calm (separated from dogs if you're a mixed facility).
- Allow natural light, but always offer cozy shadowed areas.
The more thoughtful your design, the more comfortable—and healthier—your feline guests will be.
Step 5: Upgrade Your Tools and Tech
A one-room business might get by with paper charts and a whiteboard. A full facility needs more sophisticated tools. Consider upgrading to:
- Cloud-based kennel management software
- Digital intake forms and vaccination tracking
- Automated reminders and online booking
- Integrated payment processing for smoother transactions
Your customers will love the transparency, and your staff will thank you for streamlining operations.
Step 6: Build a Stellar Team
It's time to hire once you've outgrown doing it all yourself. Look for cat-savvy team members with a calm demeanor, attention to detail, and genuine affection for animals.
Provide training on:
- Feline body language and behavior
- Proper handling and sanitation
- Emergency procedures
- Customer service and communication
Your team is the heart of your facility—invest in them early and often.
Step 7: Market Like a Pro
With more space comes more availability to fill. Use your marketing channels to let your community know you've leveled up!
- Host a grand reopening or fundraiser
- Offer referral incentives to loyal clients
- Partner with local vets and rescue groups
- Post behind-the-scenes growth updates on social media
Don't be shy—showcase what makes your facility special, from climate-controlled suites to cat TV.
Step 8: Keep Your Core Values
As you grow, don't lose sight of what made your brand special from the start—whether that's personalized care, attention to detail, or how you remember every cat's quirks.
Scaling doesn't mean sacrificing quality! It's an opportunity to strengthen your reputation and reach more feline families who need your trusted care.
Step 9: Adjust Your Pricing Strategically
Bigger space means better services, and your pricing should reflect that. As you scale, don't be afraid to reevaluate your rates to account for:
- Increased overhead
- Enhanced amenities
- Staffing costs
Introduce tiered pricing for different suite types or add-ons like extra playtime or treats. Clients will pay more when they see the value. Happy cats mean repeat customers!
Step 10: Focus on Client Retention
Keeping an existing client is easier (and cheaper) than finding a new one. As your business grows, remember:
- Continue personalizing the experience
- Send regular updates and photos
- Offer loyalty programs or rewards
- Celebrate pet birthdays with a treat or card
A little extra love keeps clients coming back—and referring their feline-loving friends!
A Word of Advice: Avoid Common Pitfalls
Getting bigger and better is exciting, and the anticipation of leveling up can be a fun and thrilling whirlwind. As you embark upon this next phase, it's important to take each milestone step by step. Prevent burnout or failure by avoiding these possible traps:
- Scaling before you're financially or operationally ready
- Expanding without proper permits or inspections
- Letting quality dip while trying to handle too much
The key is to take it slow, get support, and find the right tools and resources to help you along this journey. You've got this!
Real-World Results: How One Cat Resort Scaled with Revelation Pets
When you're ready to level up your cat-boarding business, it helps to learn from those who've done it successfully. Just ask Carole Malone and Kim Shannon, Whiskers & Paws Luxury Cat Resort co-owners in Meeanee, Napier, Hawke's Bay.
Since opening its doors in 2016, Whiskers & Paws has grown into a sought-after feline retreat known for its tranquil setting, compassionate care, and impeccable professionalism. One of the secrets behind its seamless growth? Choosing the right tools and tech to support its operations.
"I researched most software before opening the resort and wanted an intuitive automated system," says Carole, a lifelong cat lover with a background in nursing, midwifery, and SPCA volunteer work.
She had a clear vision for a modern, well-managed business from the beginning, and Revelation Pets was the perfect fit.
With our help, Carole and her team—including Cat Resort Manager and qualified vet nurse Nikita Gordon—have been able to focus more on care and less on admin. Our system handles the heavy lifting behind the scenes, streamlining bookings, managing payments, and maintaining communication with their growing list of loyal cat parents.
Today, their client database includes over 2,000 cat parents, and their resort has earned a reputation for excellence, particularly with senior cats and those needing extra medical attention or weight management.
From its modest beginnings to its current status as a top-tier cat resort nestled among apple orchards, Whiskers & Paws proves that small cat boarding businesses can scale successfully with the right tools, time, and research.
Final Thoughts: Grow at Your Own Pace
Every cat boarding business is unique—some succeed as boutique operations, while others become regional destinations for cat lovers. Whether you're eyeing a few extra rooms or a multi-suite palace with a paw spa, scale at a pace that feels right for you and your clients.
With smart planning, a dash of creativity, and a deep love for cats, you can turn your boarding business into something grand! Get a free trial of Revelation Pets today to see how our software can help you scale!
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