Though I spend most of my time working as a freelance writer, it’s a very lonely business. I sit at the computer most of the day — if I didn’t have to walk the dogs, I wouldn’t even have to get out of my pajamas some days! So I’ve been looking for a part time job, just to get out of the house once in a while.
Today was my first day working at a cats only boarding facility.
The boarding facility is attached to a cats only veterinarian (they also offer grooming services just for cats) — basically, just about anything you need for your kitty in one place. The boarding part has room for more than forty cats. Each guest gets their own spacious room with a separate nook for the litter pan. The guests take turns spending time in the play room, which features different places to play and climb and a window for watching the world.
The daily routine is simple enough, but that doesn’t mean it’s easy! The day starts at seven (so I was up to walk and feed the dogs at 5:30). All the guest rooms need to be cleaned and the litterboxes emptied. While cleaning, I have to keep a record of which cats used the facilities and which cats didn’t — this helps the staff track the health of the guests. After everyone’s room is cleaned, it’s time for breakfast. Each cat has a chart with his or her dietary needs listed. Some cats come with food from home; the boarding facility offers two different types of diet depending on what the cat is used to.
After breakfast, the cats get a little quiet time. Some take a turn in the play room; others just want a cuddle before they settle in for a nap. While the guests are relaxing, the staff is cleaning. We’ve got a heavy-duty dishwasher to clean all the litter pans, water bowls, and supper dishes. The washer and dryer are almost always humming, loaded with beds, blankets, and staff scrubs. In the late afternoon, the cycle begins again!
Cleaning is definitely the name of the game here. Cleaning and organization. And more cleaning. I’ll keep you updated with how it goes!