Booking Cat Boarding for Raya, CNY and School Holidays
Festive weeks are when cat hotels get busiest. How to plan your dates, pick a room and what to confirm before Raya, CNY or the school break.
Every Malaysian cat owner knows the feeling. Hari Raya, Chinese New Year or the long school break is coming, the family is planning the trip, and somebody asks: who is looking after the cat? Festive weeks are when cat hotels get the most enquiries, so a little planning goes a long way.
Why festive dates fill up early
In Malaysia, the big holidays bunch up. Raya, CNY, Deepavali, Christmas and the year-end school break send many families out of town in the same few weeks. Neighbours who usually feed your cat are often travelling too, so more owners look for boarding at the same time.
Rooms are booked by date, not by queue
A cat room can only hold one booking for each night. Once the nights around the first day of Raya or CNY are taken, they are taken. Owners who send their dates a few weeks ahead simply have more choice of room and dates than those who message the day before balik kampung.
The school holiday stretch
School holidays are longer than a festive weekend, and families often stack a holiday trip onto them. That means longer stays and rooms that stay occupied for more nights in a row. If your trip falls in the school break, treat it like a festive booking and plan early.
Message early, even with rough dates
You do not need every detail fixed before you ask. Send the rough dates and the number of cats, and you will know straight away which rooms are open for those nights. You can firm up the times later, once the family trip is settled.
Plan your dates and room
Before you message any cat hotel, sit down with your travel plan and work out three things: the day you can drop your cat off, the day you will be back to collect, and how many cats are coming along.
Check-in and check-out around your trip
MiawStay does not offer pick-up or transport, so you drop your cat off and collect it yourself. Pick a drop-off day that is not the morning you leave, when the car is half-packed and everyone is rushing. A calmer drop-off the day before is easier on you and your cat.
Allow for festive traffic
Coming back from the kampung on the last day of the holiday can take much longer than planned. Think about a collection day that gives you breathing room, and agree the check-in and check-out times on WhatsApp so nobody is waiting.
Standard or Premium room?
Our cat rooms come in two types. The Standard Room is RM39 per night for one cat, fits up to two kittens, and takes a maximum of two cats at +RM15 for the second cat. It includes two meal times, a litter box and a pet bowl.
The Premium Room is RM50 per night and that rate covers two cats. It fits up to three adult cats of normal size, at +RM25 for the third. It adds one play session every two days and 24-hour air-conditioning and ventilation. For example, two cats in a Premium room are covered by the RM50 nightly rate. Our room comparison lays the two side by side.
What to confirm before you pay the deposit
Your booking is secured with a deposit, and the amount is stated on WhatsApp. Before you send it, use the same chat to clear up the details that matter for a holiday stay. Here is a short checklist to copy into your message:
- Your check-in and check-out dates, and the number of cats
- The check-in and check-out times on those days
- Vaccination and flea or tick requirements
- Whether you should bring your cat's own food
- How any medication will be handled
- The cancellation arrangement, in case your travel plans change
Holiday plans do shift, especially when flights or family plans move. Asking about cancellation before you pay saves an awkward conversation later. For anything health-related, such as which vaccines your cat should have, ask your vet well before the holiday, since clinics also get busy in festive weeks.
This article is general information, not veterinary advice.
Getting your cat ready before the rush
The days before a festive trip are hectic. Getting your cat's things sorted early means you are not hunting for the carrier at midnight.
Pack a few days ahead
Set aside the carrier, your cat's usual food if you have agreed to bring it, any medication with clear instructions, and one or two familiar items. Our stay guide covers what owners usually bring.
Something that smells like home
A small blanket or a t-shirt you have worn can help your cat settle in a new room. Keep it unwashed for a day or two so it still carries the smell of home.
Leave the carrier out
If your cat only sees the carrier on vet days, it may hide the moment it appears. Leave it open in the living room for a week before the trip with a soft towel inside, so it becomes just another resting spot.
Keep a backup contact in the chat
Phone signal can be patchy on the road or in the kampung. It helps to share a second family number in the WhatsApp chat, so there is always someone reachable while you are away.
How to book with MiawStay
We have premises in Sentul and Shah Alam, and the exact address is shared on WhatsApp. Owners from nearby areas such as Kepong and Setapak often find Sentul an easy drop-off before heading out of the city.
- Send your check-in and check-out dates and the number of cats on WhatsApp.
- Choose a Standard or Premium room.
- Confirm times, requirements and food in the same chat.
- Pay the deposit to lock in your dates.
You can also start with our booking request form. For Raya, CNY or the school break, the earlier you send your dates, the more room you have to choose. Check Room Availability and let us know your travel dates.