What to look for in a cattery?

Sadly we don't have any holiday cover this year to look after Mufasa whilst we are away. I went to visit a cattery at the weekend which was very well run, nice and clean and considering we turned up on the off-chance they were very willing to show us around. They mentioned that the pens were brick built and lined with pvc to help with cleaning and temperature maintenance. Each pen had a window which led out to an outside contained sun lounging area which overlooked countryside. It all seemed very nice, but I left with the feeling that it was a small area for a maine coon sized cat to be kept in (it looked usual cattery pen size). I suppose I am asking the lovely people on here who put their coonies into a cattery - does this work out ok or am I worrying about nothing? Are there catteries with exercise areas for cats or is that a stupid question?
:shy:

Some catteries do have some bigger pens which normally they use for multiple cat families but even then most probaly won't be MC size,mine go in threes into the normal size pens & seem quite happy between sitting on the top shelf bird watching or playing with their boxes in the outside run but I do know that when Auntie G is doing the feed rounds mine are allowed out for a run round in the corridors,I haven't heard of any catteries having an exercise area but not to say there isn't one out there somewhere but if you felt comfortable with what you saw then I would say go with your gut instinct you will most probaly worry more about Mufasa then he will about you,I have even left a sick cat with my lady so shows what confidence I have in her,mine just luv their hols & also provide a lot of interest amoung other feline owners...x

Cats are remarkably adaptable. Last time I used my favourite cattery, I had three family pens with open panels between for the cats to wander around. They all chose a bed and were quite happy, getting lots of fuss from the slave in charge for the week. Catteries usually have large and small pens, so if you are concerned, why not ask for a larger pen?

I was nervous leaving our 3 for the first time last year - I thought the pens/runs looked small too. But I guess that's because we let them have the run of the house at home and of course they can't have that in a cattery! The owners took out the dividing bit in between 2 runs as the next pen was empty so they actually ended up with double space. I think as long as it's clean, and your gut feeling about the place tells you it's ok then the space thing isn't such an issue - it's more about the care they get. Some catteries have lodges too (I'm going to look at one near us) so maybe there's something like that near you. I've also thought about cat sitters....