Pawshake vs Cattery: What's the Price Difference?
How Pawshake cattery boarding works
Pawshake allows sitters to list their homes as boarding premises for cats. Listings specify whether the sitter offers cat boarding (cat stays at sitter's home) or drop-in visits. We use only cattery-boarding listings in our comparison — drop-in visits are excluded as a different service type.
A Pawshake cattery-boarding listing may or may not hold an Animal Activity Licence. Our comparison notes where a Pawshake listing can be matched to a published licence register.
Methodology
We match Pawshake cattery-boarding listings to licensed catteries using location (within 2km) and service tier (single cat overnight). Price observations must be within 14 days of each other. Platform fees are included in the Pawshake figure.
We exclude pet-sitting and drop-in listings entirely. Only listings where Pawshake classifies the service as overnight cat boarding at the sitter's premises are included.
Limitations
- Pawshake pricing is dynamic; our observations are point-in-time.
- We cannot independently verify that all Pawshake cattery-boarding sitters hold an AAL. We flag where no match was found in our licence database.
- Pawshake's platform fee covers booking protection and dispute resolution. This value is real; we measure the price difference only.
When each option may suit
| Factor | Licensed cattery | Pawshake cat boarding |
|---|---|---|
| AAL licensing | Required, inspected, star-rated | May or may not be licensed |
| Home environment | Purpose-built premises | Sitter's home |
| Booking protection | Direct with operator | Platform guarantee |
| Availability | Fixed premises, bookable in advance | Depends on sitter schedule |
Cat sitters near your area
If cattery supply is thin or your cat is happier at home, compare visiting sitters as a separate option. Visiting sitters are not the same regulated service as licensed catteries, so check insurance, reviews, and emergency cover before booking.
Pawshake is a registered trademark. This page is independent and unaffiliated. Affiliate disclosure.