What does cattery mean?
A cattery is an establishment where cats are housed, cared for, or bred. Most commonly, the word refers to a boarding facility that looks after pet cats while their owners are travelling — the feline equivalent of kennels for dogs. The term is also used by pedigree breeders to denote the premises, and sometimes the registered name under which, they breed and raise cats; a third sense describes a purpose-built outdoor enclosure in which domestic cats are safely contained. 'Cattery' is standard, neutral vocabulary, and it appears more frequently in British English, where boarding catteries are a familiar institution, than in American English, which tends to favour phrases like 'cat boarding facility' or 'pet hotel'. Formed simply from 'cat' with the suffix '-ery', which marks a place associated with an activity, it sits alongside words like 'kennel', 'aviary', and 'apiary' as part of a small family of English terms for animal-keeping establishments. For anyone travelling with pets to arrange, or exploring the world of pedigree cat breeding, 'cattery' is the precise and widely understood term.
An establishment where cats are boarded or cared for temporarily, especially while their owners are away.
"Drop your cat off at the cattery on Friday morning, and pick her up when you're back from your trip."
Especially common in British English; American speakers more often say 'cat boarding facility'.
A place where cats, particularly pedigree cats, are bred.
"Their award-winning Burmese cattery has produced champions for three decades."
Among breeders, the word may also refer to the registered prefix or name of the breeding operation itself.
An enclosed structure or outdoor run in which domestic cats are kept safely.
"They built a secure cattery in the garden so their cats could enjoy the fresh air without wandering off."
Regular plural: words ending in consonant + '-y' form their plural in '-ies'.
"Several local catteries were fully booked over the Christmas holidays."
A 'cattery' sounds quaint, but it's big business — luxury cat hotels with webcam access have turned the humble cattery into feline five-star accommodation.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Etymology of cattery
The word 'cattery' is formed transparently from the noun 'cat' combined with the suffix '-ery', which denotes a place associated with a particular activity or commodity, as in 'bakery' or 'nursery'. The English word 'cat' itself derives from the Old English 'catt', which was likely borrowed from Late Latin 'cattus'. The compound 'cattery' arose comparatively recently in English, gaining currency as commercial cat boarding became common in the nineteenth and twentieth centuries.
Related word forms
How cattery is actually used
Neutral register, used commonly in British English where boarding facilities are often called catteries (paralleling 'kennels' for dogs). In American English, the terms 'cat boarding facility' or 'pet hotel' are more common, though 'cattery' is understood, especially among breeders.
Easily confused with cattery
While 'cathouse' can mean a place where cats are kept, it is also a slang term for a brothel, whereas 'cattery' refers specifically to a legitimate establishment for boarding or breeding cats.