CATS
WITH ADD-ON
(SERV ICES) By Deborah Hansen
Cat owners can be challenging for boarding facilities to attract and maintain for a multitude of reasons. Many cat owners believe they can just leave food and water out, and the kitty will be “fine”.
T
he cat clientele that is going to pay for boarding has many unique quirks. These owners have a certain way they expect their cat to be cared for and pampered. The majority of cat clients who bring their cats in for boarding have high expectations that can be overwhelming for boarding facilities. So, how do we not only meet but exceed the high expectations cat owners have of boarding facilities? We offer a menu of add-ons to attract the type of cat owners we dream of serving—while increasing your bottom line. Feline boarding add-ons range from meeting special requests of cat owners to luxury items. The key to many topselling add-ons is offering services the cat owner never realized were available. There are many easy and low-cost
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options when it comes to feline addons for your boarding business. When your business is considering which add-ons to offer your feline boarding clients, there are three areas I like to start with: owner convenience, special requests and creature comforts. These categories will help you focus on the services that give you the best return on investment while meshing seamlessly with your branding to cater to your ideal clientele. Owner Convenience Owner convenience is a great starting point when considering the best add-ons for your feline department. Extended hours for drop-off and pick-up is an added service many facilities already offer. While this helps cat owners, many owners dread the
PET BOARDING & DAYCARE
process of taking the cat to the boarding establishment. Offering pick-up and delivery of the cat not only saves the cat owner time, but also eliminates the owner hearing the dreaded “cat car song” on the way to your business. Pick-up and drop-off services help the feline owner start their trip out of town on a positive note, making it well worth the added cost to the owner. Special Requests Special requests for cat owners can range from medication administration to unique ways to prepare meals. Many cat owners have a preferred method of feeding their cats which might include a mixture of water, kibble and multiple can foods. While some cat owners have specific feeding times, others are just as happy with the cat free-feeding.