Brianna HarrisonThe 5 Best Cat Boarding Services in Toronto
Cats are independent pets, but leaving them behind can sometimes make their owners feel guilty and worry.
Here is our review of the best cat boarding services in Toronto, for all you furparents who only want the best for your pet.
The Best Cat Boarding Services in Toronto
We used the following criteria to examine each of the cat boarding services:
How much do cat boarding services cost in Toronto?
The needs of your pet often come with a budget. Below is a summary of prices to give you an idea of how much you should set for cat boarding.
We do note that these are only estimates and that actual prices will depend on the shop that you will go to.
1. Parker Pet Care
| EXPERIENCE | ★★★★★ |
| KNOWLEDGE ABOUT CATS | ★★★★★ |
| FACILITIES | ★★★★☆ |
| CUSTOMER SATISFACTION | ★★★★☆ |
Parker Pet Care is one of the most established pet boarding services in the Greater Toronto Area. They have been around for about 70 years and currently have 2 branches, one in Toronto and one in Scarborough.
They have trained staff members to take care of a pet, be it for short or long term stay. We like the fact that their staff are knowledgeable about cats and dogs, which makes them more trustworthy.
Feline guests stay in their cat lodging area. They have a private and enclosed space with soft bedding, litter box, and food and water for each cat.
Cat trees, scratching posts, and multiple ledges and levels are available in their feline area to give cats the downtime they need and deserve. We like how they provide toys and chasing activities to keep the cats entertained and feeling safe in their space.
They also offer cuddles, belly rubs, and scratching for clingy cats. Brushing and additional grooming are also available for cats who love getting pampered.
Their starting overnight price is just right and they have a set of discounts for clients with multiple cats. Cats from the same owner can also be boarded together, if requested.
Honestly, there isn’t much to dislike about this service. We do note that they are usually packed and sometimes the space can get cramped for cats.
We recommend them simply because of their experience in the field. They are also open daily, with different hours during weekends.
Pros
- 70 years’ experience
- Private and enclosed space for each cat
- Cat lounge has a play area
- Offers grooming services
Cons
- Place can get cramped
- Customer service is sometimes hard to reach
Customer Reviews
They kept me informed of how my cats were doing
“The people at Parker Pet Care were terrific. They took great care of my pets. They kept me informed of how my cats were doing, if they were eating and their health in general. In the week my cats were there, I called to inquire after them and Parker followed up with 2 reassuring emails. My cats came home in good health. I would be happy to use their service again” — Aline Burke, via Google
All the staff are so friendly and genuinely love animals!
“Best pet boarding in Toronto, hands down! Parker have been looking after our two cats for the past 8 years now when we travel. They are responsive when we email/call for status updates, thorough with their notes, all the staff are so friendly and genuinely love animals! What more could you ask for in a pet care company?” — Sabrena Ellison, via Google
2. McGilvray Veterinary Hospital
| EXPERIENCE | ★★★★★ |
| KNOWLEDGE ABOUT CATS | ★★★★★ |
| FACILITIES | ★★★★☆ |
| CUSTOMER SATISFACTION | ★★★★☆ |
Established in 1948, McGilvray Veterinary Hospital is a full service animal hospital. They provide compassionate veterinary care and they are extremely knowledgeable about pet’s needs and overall health.
This may primarily be a veterinary hospital designed for medical and health care for pets, but their cat boarding services are very recommendable.
Aside from the fact that they completely know what they are doing, they have a very well-sanitised and safe facility for your cats. This means less worries with regards to catching diseases or any infections.
They ensure that the cats they board are comfortable by providing them with a private space. They initially ask the owner about the cat’s specific needs, such as feeding schedule, grooming, bath, and more.
We also like how they keep their facility climate controlled. This ensures extra security for your cat, whether they stay overnight or longer.
After a medical procedure or grooming, they can also hold your cat in case you do not have time to pick them up yet. This additional boarding service will be added to your overall bill and you can rest assured that they will keep your cat happy and healthy.
The only inconvenient thing about this service is that they are quite expensive, given that they are a hospital. We also note that they are closed during Sundays and half day during Saturdays, which is likely not good for owners who usually have their weekend off.
Overall, McGilvray Veterinary Hospital is a safe choice for car boarding. They have good knowledge about a cat’s overall health and well-being and the nature of their place makes a secure option.
Pros
- Over 70 years experience in the pet industry
- Safe and secure boarding facility
- Great overall knowledge about cats
- Also provides quick cat boarding after a check-up or groom session
Cons
- More costly than most boarding services
- Closed on Sundays, shorter hours during Saturdays
Customer Reviews
Professional, friendly, and addresses the needs of our cats in a very timely manner
“Our three cats 🐱 🐱🐱 have been extremely well taken care of by Dr. Marks and the McGilvray team for many years. They are compassionate, understanding, and empathetic when problems have arisen. The team is professional, friendly, and addresses the needs of our cats in a very timely manner. We would highly recommend the McGilvray Veterinary Hospital.” — Renee Goldhar, via Google
Best care for pets and their families
“Best care for pets and their families. The care from the entire team is amazing, but a special shout out to Dr. Darren. Marks who is amazing and looks after every single detail with great loving care.” — Joe Schneeweiss, via Google
3. Bow Wow Meow Toronto
| EXPERIENCE | ★★★★★ |
| KNOWLEDGE ABOUT CATS | ★★★★☆ |
| FACILITIES | ★★★★☆ |
| CUSTOMER SATISFACTION | ★★★★★ |
An up-and-coming full-service pet walking, boarding, and sitting service, Bow Wow Meow is a friendly-neighbourhood space that cares for your pet and is insured by PROfur.
They assure quality time with pets and are extra careful in dealing with furbabies. While most of their customers are dog owners, we like how they have great services for feline friends as well.
Their boarding facility is the spacious main floor of the owners’ home, with a yard that is securely fenced. Cats and dogs are welcomed here and are guaranteed to be provided with a safe and private space of their own.
A cat’s own cage can also be brought by owners. We like how they also provide full home sitting options or cat visits for cats who are more comfortable in their own home.
Apart from these, they provide daycare as well. They can watch over your cat for an average of 5 hours and they also have a pet chauffeur or concierge service if you do not have time to take your cat to their home.
Of course, this service isn’t perfect. They are really a boarding and sittings service, so they aren’t extremely knowledgeable in terms of a cat’s medical needs.
They do their best to accommodate and attend to cats and usually provide owners with updates. We also note that they are closed during weekends, which can be a dealbreaker for many.
Bow Wow Meow is a convenient option for those who need to have their cat taken cared of for the day or longer. You can count on them to transport and take care of your feline properly.
Pros
- Provides a safe space for cats
- Has full home sitting or cat visit services
- Pet chauffeur is available
Cons
- Not that knowledgeable in terms of feline medical needs
- Closed during weekends
Customer Reviews
Very responsive
“We love Bow Wow Meow! Emily is the best dog walker. We have worked with Emily since our Colby was a puppy and they have a wonderful bond. Colby waits excitedly by the window for Emily to arrive every day.
Emily is very reliable and trustworthy. When we’re out of town, Colby has stayed with her and Emily also checks in on our cat. We get regular updates and Emily is very responsive.”
— Heather Cheeseman, via Google
4. Yorkville Animal Hospital
| EXPERIENCE | ★★★★☆ |
| KNOWLEDGE ABOUT CATS | ★★★★★ |
| FACILITIES | ★★★★☆ |
| CUSTOMER SATISFACTION | ★★★★☆ |
Caring for pets since 2003, Yorkville Animal Hospital is a great place for your pet’s overall wellness. They are a team of animal lovers and are guaranteed to watch over your pet’s health and safety.
We like their cat boarding services simply because they are very organised in what they do. A tour can be given to feline owners who may want to leave their cat in the hospital’s boarding facility.
The cats will be kept clean, fresh, and pampered when you leave them at Yorkville. They keep them in private and well-sanitised cages.
They can keep cats of the same owner separately or in one cage.
Given that this is a veterinary hospital, they provide the option to give the guest cat meals that are according to their prescribed diet. This reflects their genuine care for the pet’s health.
Of course, if a cat has specific diet needs or is a picky eater, they will gladly serve your cat with the meal they need or are used to. Just make sure to bring this upon leaving your cat.
The only thing we find inconvenient about this service is that they have a pretty small boarding space. This means that you have to come in or submit a booking as early as possible.
We recommend Yorkville Animal Hospital for those who want a trusted and knowledgeable place for pets. They follow regular hours during weekdays and are closed during weekends.
Pros
- Almost 20 years experience with animals
- Well-sanitised boarding cages for cats
- Serves meals according to a cat’s prescribed diet
Cons
- Boarding space is quite small
- Closed during weekends
Customer Reviews
Very pleased with their boarding service
“Dr. Gignac has always taken great care of our pet. The entire team is very friendly, and the hours are convenient. We are very pleased with their boarding service.
We highly recommend the Yorkville Animal Hospital.” — Elodie Millican, via Google
Our cat was very comfortable at the clinic
“Friendly staff, our cat was very comfortable at the clinic and we liked the doctor.” — Sogand Namdar, via Google
5. Cats and Canines Happy Place
| EXPERIENCE | ★★★★☆ |
| KNOWLEDGE ABOUT CATS | ★★★★☆ |
| FACILITIES | ★★★★☆ |
| CUSTOMER SATISFACTION | ★★★★☆ |
Cats and Canines Happy Place offers a list of pet services that primarily assist pet owners in taking care of their furbabies. This service has very affordable rates and are really helpful.
Pet boarding is one of their main services, with them having your pet stay in their own home for extra care. We do note that they have a limited space and they really sort their bookings, so you have to book at least 2 days before your target date.
While their booking policy may be strict, we like how it benefits a cat in a way that it is protected from getting diseases or infections from other cats or animals. There is a chance that your cat will solely be the only feline staying in their place, which is really nice.
They also perform pet visits for cats who are not fond of boarding spaces. Drop-offs and pick-ups are also available if you need your cat transported to their place from your home and vice versa.
We do note that this service is owned and operated by one woman, so there isn’t really a team to do the job. However, we commend her as she is certified in pet first-aid and CPR.
We recommend Cats and Canines Happy Place because this service lives up to its name. It guarantees a safe space for your cat with someone who genuinely cares about animals.
Pros
- Very affordable pet boarding rates
- Cat visits are available
- Offers cat transportation
Cons
- No staff or team
- Does not have a pet facility
Customer Reviews
Has watched my two cats multiple times and they love her!
“Chelsea is amazing! She has watched my two cats multiple times and they love her! I highly recommend her services.” — Anthony Harrison, via Google
Watched all of my 15 cats when I went on vacation
“Chelsea watched all 15 of my cats when I went on vacation. She’s the bestest!!!” — Andrew Richardson, via Google
FAQs about cat boarding in Toronto
We hope that this article gave you more information about cat boarding and helped you find the best one in Toronto.
If you have dogs too, you may want to read our list of the best dog boarding services in Toronto here.
