Paws Awhile Boarding Cattery Terms and Conditions

  
Please ensure you read our terms and conditions before making a reservation with us.
Hours of Business: Strictly by appointment only please.
Monday – Friday 10:00 – 12:00 and 16:00 – 18:00
Saturday and Sunday – 10:00 to 1:00 only
We are CLOSED all BANK HOLIDAYS – No Arrivals or Departures

PAWS AWHILE BOARDING CATTERY opened in June 2007. We are a fully licensed boarding cattery, Braintree Council and Independent Veterinary Practitioner approved.  We offer cats only luxury boarding accommodation set in idyllic countryside surroundings.  Accommodation has been constructed to the highest possible standards.  A safe and secure environment built and run to the Feline Advisory Bureau (FAB) standards now known as International Cat Care.  All chalets are fully insulated with thermostatically controlled heating.  We have additional winter screens, 24 hour CCTV, vet on call and music for extra relaxation, together with our constant care, lots of fuss and chin rubs.  As our guests, of course if allowed, we always have a large selection of ‘goody bags’ and special cat treats, all FREE of charge. Individual dietary plans can be catered for, please ask.

Health and Vaccinations matters:
Only cats that have a Current Vaccination Certificate against Cat Flu and Feline Enteritis can enter the cattery. This must be signed and dated by a veterinary surgeon.
PLEASE NOTE: It is your responsibility to ensure that vaccinations are up to date and must be completed with a minimum of 10 days prior to the boarding date.
It’s advisable for your cat(s) to be vaccinated against Feline Leukaemia (FeLV) although this not necessary for boarding purposes.
Owners “MUST” produce up-to-date Certificates on arrival to comply with our Boarding Regulations.  Should you let your annual vaccination lapse, your cat may need to re-start the programme with two vaccinations – an initial one and then a booster approximately three weeks later. Please remember you will also need to allow a further 10 days after the booster. If you are in any doubt, please seek advice from your vet. Vaccination Certificates will be retained by Paws Awhile Boarding Cattery until collection.  No cat(s) will be accepted without this.  There are no exceptions, regardless of circumstance.

Flea and Worm Treatments:
Please ensure your cats including house cats, have been adequately treated for fleas and worming treatments at least 10 days prior to boarding date to prevent any infection to other occupants.  You can seek advice from your Vet or telephone Paws Awhile Boarding Cattery should you prefer.  Herbal treatments/off the counter products, including flea collars are not acceptable.

Medication:
Should your cat be receiving any medication whilst in our care, we will be happy to administer, FREE of charge.  Please ensure that medications are CLEARLY LABELLED showing owners name and cat (s) name.  Ensure you bring enough with you for their stay. We cannot administer inoculations.

Should your cat require veterinary attention whist in our care, we will arrange for treatment either with your own vet or at the nearest available surgery.  All veterinary costs incurred must be paid by the owner. There is a minimum charge of £10.00 to cover time and transport costs.  If we are unable to contact you or your designated contact, we will make the decisions that we consider necessary for the welfare of your cat(s). Please ensure that an emergency number is provided to act on your behalf.
Male cats over the age of 7 months which have not been neutered, will not be accepted for boarding as they may present an infection hazard.
All cats are visually examined on arrival.  Paws Awhile Boarding Cattery reserves the right to refuse admittance to any cat, that in our opinion, appears to be suffering from any signs of ill health pending advice from a Veterinary Surgeon.  Owners will appreciate that this is essential in order to safeguard our other occupants.
Any recent illness or veterinary treatment that your cat(s) have received prior to arrival must be declared.  No pre-existing illness will be covered under our insurance. Cats will not be accepted or released outside our normal working hours, unless prior arrangement has been made. Any Veterinary treatment considered advisable will be carried out at the owners expense.
Only cats from the same household may share accommodation. Should any signs of aggression be observed, Paws Awhile Boarding Cattery has the right to separate them.  Owners will be responsible for any extra cost should this arise.

Accommodation and Comfort Factors:
Double/family runs and penthouse suites are available. All chalets are spacious, fully insulated, heated and thermostatically controlled.  Adjustable shelving and ramps are provided for exercise. All units have outdoor covered runs and look out onto the countryside beyond.

Hygiene:
Hygiene and safety measures are always a top priority. All chalets are scrupulously cleaned and disinfected after the cats have vacated, in readiness for our next feline guest. No expense is spared for the health and welfare of your cats.  After breakfast, our daily clean involves clean litter trays, bedding brushed down, plumped up and replaced just the way they like it!  Floors are thoroughly swept and cleaned.  All litter trays are checked and refreshed periodically during the day.

Viewing:
You are most welcome to view the cattery, prior to boarding, strictly by appointment only.

Bringing your cat(s) to the Cattery:
Please ensure you have a safe and ‘fit for purpose’ carrier for your cats.  Preferably one for each cat.  Carriers will be retained by the cattery until you return and collect your cat(s). Feel free to bring along a familiar blanket, toys or anything from home, you feel would help them settle in.

Collars and Property:
For safety reasons, please remove collars during their stay.
Whilst every effort is taken, any property such as scratch posts, blankets and toys brought into the cattery is at the owners own risk.

Dietary requirements:  Prescription diets to be provided by the owners:
Please ensure you remember to bring along any prescription diets and provide enough for their stay. If food is required to be measured, please ensure that this is written down clearly.  Ensure all food is clearly labelled with your own name and your cat(s) name.
We have a very good choice of both wet and dry food available. Their stay includes food Paws Awhile Boarding Cattery stock (not prescription).  If you prefer to bring along your own food, you are very welcome to do so, but there are no refunds given if you do. Individual dietary plans can be catered for, please ask.  

Our rates include:
Spacious accommodation, bedding/blankets will be provided (if required) toys, heating and insurance. Additional heat pads are available at no extra cost.  These may benefit elderly cats and kittens. All chalets are also provided with cool mats for extra comfort should the weather really warm up. Individual (safe) fans are also available should we deem this necessary.
Please note our daily rates are per day not per night.
Feeding takes place twice a day, unless otherwise requested.  Several different brands of cat food, wet and dry are kept.  We aim to feed your cat(s) the same food you provide at home if possible, to cater for likes and dislikes.  Additional attention is given to elderly cats, kittens and those with special needs.

Photographs:
Photographs may be taken during your cat(s) stay. Please advise if you are not in agreement with this.

No further refunds will be made or carried forward relating to COVID 19 or any other associated virus, unless previously agreed by the proprietor.

Boarding Fees:
A 25% deposit is required to secure your reservation – this is NON-REFUNDABLE/NON-TRANSFERABLE.
Any balance of boarding fees remaining are payable on day of departure, in full.     Double rates are charged Christmas Day, Boxing Day and New Year’s Day.

Cancellations:
All days booked are chargeable.  We reserve the right to charge a cancellation fee of 50% should you not provide us with a minimum of 14 days notice prior to boarding date.
If a booking is cancelled within 7 days of the arrival date, full boarding rates will apply.
Please ensure that you have adequate Travel Insurance to cover boarding fees should your holiday plans be cancelled, including COVID-19.
There are no refunds for cats collected earlier than the agreed date.
Whilst every care and precaution is taken during boarding, responsibility can only be accepted at the owner’s risk.  By acceptance of our Terms and Conditions, the owner has read and understands that Paws Awhile Boarding Cattery cannot be held responsible for any injury, illness or death that occurs during boarding.
Any cat(s) with a pre-existing illness will not be covered under our insurance.
Owners should be aware that in the event your cat is not collected within 7 days of the date on which it is scheduled to leave, and that no communication has been received from the customer, Paws Awhile Boarding Cattery reserves the right, at their discretion, to seek arrangements for re-homing.   Any costs involved will be sent to the owner.

Privacy notice:
In accordance with our licence, we are required to keep customers contact details on file.
All your personal information will be kept as confidential and in line with the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR).  Your information is stored as per our Data Protection and Privacy Policy and will only be shared with your consent unless required by law.
Policies may be subject to change at the discretion of the licence holder.    

DATA PROTECTION AND PRIVACY NOTICE

In order to comply with the current legislation we must tell you what data we hold about you, the reasons why we hold it and have your permission to retain this.  Data is held to ensure our customers that we can contact them by post, telephone, e-mail for booking purposes and in an emergency.

Information we collect:
Information is collected from you when you register as a customer with Paws Awhile Boarding Cattery and to comply with the terms of our licence.  These details will only be used in connection with your booking or the welfare of your cat(s). The records kept are as follows:

Your name
Your address
Your landline and mobile numbers
Your e-mail address
Contact details of your nominated person in the event of an emergency
The details of your cat(s)
The name and telephone number of your Veterinary surgeon

How is this information used:
The information you have provided to us may be used in the following ways:
We hold this information for registration/booking systems, both paper based and electronically.  We keep records of your cat(s) boarding history and day to day information which is essential for the smooth running of our cattery.  We also have to retain some data to comply with the terms of our licence.
If your personal details change, please advise us to help keep your information up-to-date.

How do we protect your information:
Hard copy:  Current customer information sheet is paper form and kept in a safe and secure area.
Digitally: This is used for our e-mail and website purposes.

How long do we keep this information for and how do we dispose of it:
The information provided by you is kept so long as you are a customer of Paws Awhile Boarding Cattery.  Should you cease to use our services, it will be deleted from our customer database within three years of your cat(s) last visit.  Any paper copies (excluding invoices and receipts) will be disposed of by way of shredding.  Customers may request to have their personal data erased from our records at any time.

Do we disclose any information to outside parties:
We do not sell, share or transfer your personally identifiable information to outside parties.  We may only release information with your permission or if it should become a legal requirement.

Our website:
Our website will collect personal information from you if you use our online contact form.  The information you provide may be stored manually and/or electronically.

How you can access and update your information:
The accuracy of your information is important to us.  You have the right to request a copy of the information we hold on you in order that you can ensure it is correct and update accordingly. You are required to submit a Subject Access Request.  For security purposes ID and Verification must be given and confirmed before any information is released.

Elaine Gunn – Paws Awhile Boarding Cattery is registered with the Information Commissioners Office (ICO)