How to Start a Cat Boarding Business in India
What changed: Added a short answer and sources for the rules, GST and vaccines, fixed example profit figures that did not match, and removed figures we could not check.
On this page (12 sections)
In short: our estimates are Rs 20,000 to 40,000 to start cat sitting, Rs 1 to 1.5 lakh for a home cattery, and Rs 6 to 10 lakh for a cat-only facility. We found no national licence for cat boarding, so ask your ward office about a trade licence, and register for GST once your services turnover crosses Rs 20 lakh in a financial year. Ask for proof of core vaccines before every stay, keep cats away from dogs, and give each new cat 24 to 48 hours alone.
Cat boarding in India is a smaller market than dog boarding. It can be a good business to start if you know cats well.
I will be honest up front. Cats are not dogs. You do not just take a dog boarding playbook and search-replace "dog" with "cat." The failure modes are different (stress-linked illness is fast and serious), the ops are different (private rooms, no mixing, no shared walks), and the margins are different (smaller clients, fewer bookings, longer retention).
This guide covers what actually works for Indian operators running cat boarding or cat sitting services in 2026.
Is cat boarding profitable in India?
Short answer: yes, at a smaller scale than dog.
The numbers below are an example, not survey data. The costs come from the monthly operating costs tables further down. Replace each number with your own.
Example: a home cattery
- 5 rooms at Rs 1,000 per night, 60% occupancy (18 nights per room per month)
- Monthly costs: Rs 14,500 to 24,000
- 5 rooms × 30 nights × 60% × Rs 1,000 = Rs 90,000 income, minus Rs 14,500 to 24,000 costs = Rs 66,000 to 75,500 profit a month, before you pay yourself
Example: a cat-only facility with 15 private rooms
- 15 rooms at Rs 1,200 per night, 65% occupancy
- Monthly costs (rent and 2 staff included): Rs 1.25 to 2.45 lakh
- 15 rooms × 30 nights × 65% × Rs 1,200 = Rs 3.51 lakh income, minus Rs 1.25 to 2.45 lakh costs = Rs 1.06 to 2.26 lakh profit a month
Neither example includes paying back your setup cost. The bigger question is whether you want to do this for a living.
The 3 models
1. Cat sitting (go to them)
You drive to the client's home, feed, scoop, and hang out with the cat for 30 to 60 minutes. Drop-in visits or live-in stays.
Pros:
- Zero real-estate cost
- Start with Rs 20,000 investment (basic supplies, insurance, marketing)
- Cats stay in their territory, so fewer stress issues
- Easier to scale via assistants later
Cons:
- Your time does not scale past 8 to 10 clients per day
- Traffic and travel time eat margin in Indian metros
- You need people to trust you with their keys
Best for people who do not own a house with the space to host cats, or who want to start lean and test the market.
2. Home cattery (they come to you)
You dedicate 1 or 2 rooms of your home to cat boarding. Private, climate-controlled, no dogs.
Pros:
- Start with Rs 1 to 1.5 lakh setup
- Higher revenue per day than sitting
- Cats still feel "homey" vs a sterile facility
- You are present 24/7, which parents love
Cons:
- Your home is now your workplace
- Max capacity is 4 to 6 cats (depending on your space)
- Family has to be on board
- Neighbors may complain if anything goes wrong
Best for established cat people who have the space and are ready to commit.
3. Dedicated cat-only facility
A separate space with 10 to 25 private rooms, no dogs on the premises, staff.
Pros:
- Scalable revenue (up to Rs 4 to 6 lakh per month at capacity)
- Professional positioning (some parents specifically want this)
- Easier to handle medical-needs cats
- Can charge premium rates (Rs 1,500 to 3,000 per night)
Cons:
- Rs 6 to 10 lakh initial investment
- Rent, staff, and overhead
- Longer break-even (9 to 12 months typical)
- Harder to start part-time
Best for people with capital, a 2 to 3 year horizon, and an existing reputation in the cat community.
Setup costs, by model
Cat sitting (Rs 20,000 to 40,000)
| Item | Cost |
|---|---|
| Insurance (pet liability + third-party) | Rs 3,000 to 5,000 |
| Business registration + trade license | Rs 2,000 to 5,000 |
| Supplies (litter scoopers, treats, transport carriers x2) | Rs 5,000 |
| Website + Google Business Profile | Rs 5,000 to 15,000 |
| Instagram setup + initial content shoot | Rs 5,000 |
| Buffer | Rs 5,000 |
Home cattery (Rs 1 to 1.5 lakh)
| Item | Cost |
|---|---|
| Catification: shelves, cat trees, hide-boxes | Rs 20,000 to 40,000 |
| Feliway diffusers (5 to 8) | Rs 4,000 to 7,000 |
| Air purifier with HEPA filter | Rs 10,000 to 20,000 |
| Deep cleaning equipment (steam mop, enzyme cleaners) | Rs 8,000 |
| Litter boxes, bowls, bedding (1.5x your max cats) | Rs 10,000 |
| CCTV or webcam for each room | Rs 10,000 to 15,000 |
| Intake forms, contracts, basic software | Rs 5,000 |
| Insurance | Rs 5,000 |
| Marketing (website, IG, initial shoot) | Rs 15,000 to 25,000 |
| Buffer | Rs 20,000 |
Dedicated facility (Rs 6 to 10 lakh)
| Item | Cost |
|---|---|
| Lease deposit (800 to 1,200 sq ft, cat-safe) | Rs 2 to 3 lakh |
| Room build-out (10 to 15 private rooms) | Rs 1.5 to 2.5 lakh |
| HVAC, air purification, noise dampening | Rs 50,000 to 1 lakh |
| Catification and furniture | Rs 40,000 to 60,000 |
| CCTV (per room) + monitoring | Rs 30,000 to 50,000 |
| Office + reception | Rs 30,000 |
| Utility deposits | Rs 20,000 to 30,000 |
| Marketing launch | Rs 30,000 to 60,000 |
| Working capital (3 months) | Rs 1.5 to 2 lakh |
Compared to a dog facility, you need less square footage but more per-room investment. You are buying private space, quiet, and air, not outdoor runs.
Monthly operating costs
Home cattery
| Expense | Monthly cost |
|---|---|
| Cat food (for 4 cats average) | Rs 5,000 to 8,000 |
| Litter | Rs 2,500 to 4,000 |
| Utilities (AC + air purifier + CCTV) | Rs 3,000 to 5,000 |
| Deep cleaning supplies | Rs 1,500 |
| Marketing | Rs 2,000 to 5,000 |
| Insurance | Rs 500 |
| Total | Rs 14,500 to 24,000 |
Dedicated facility
| Expense | Monthly cost |
|---|---|
| Rent | Rs 40,000 to 1 lakh |
| Staff (2 people for 15 to 20 rooms) | Rs 35,000 to 60,000 |
| Cat food | Rs 12,000 to 20,000 |
| Litter | Rs 8,000 to 15,000 |
| Utilities (HVAC + lighting + CCTV) | Rs 15,000 to 25,000 |
| Marketing | Rs 10,000 to 20,000 |
| Insurance + vet retainer | Rs 3,000 to 5,000 |
| Total | Rs 1.25 to 2.45 lakh |
Legal basics
Short answer: we found no national licence for cat boarding. The Dog Breeding and Marketing Rules, 2017 (Odisha Gazette reprint, checked 18 October 2026), which do name "boarding kennel operators", cover dogs only, and the Pet Shop Rules, 2018 cover places where pets are sold. If you also board dogs, read the licence section of the dog boarding guide.
Must have
- Municipal trade licence if your ward requires one. Ask your ward or zonal health office; we found no published licence category for pet boarding in the big metros.
- GST registration once your turnover from services crosses Rs 20 lakh in a financial year (Rs 10 lakh in Manipur, Mizoram, Nagaland and Tripura), under section 22 of the CGST Act. CBIC's guide (hosted by the GST Council) Registration under GST Law (checked 18 October 2026) gives the same limits, and says that without registration you cannot collect tax from customers. If you are not registered, do not add GST.
- Written intake form + liability waiver for every cat (protects you and the parent)
- Vaccination proof before every stay (FVRCP and rabies, at minimum). The WSAVA vaccination table for cats (checked 18 October 2026) lists the panleukopenia, herpesvirus and calicivirus vaccines as core for every cat, and rabies as core where the disease is endemic.
Good to have
- Pet liability insurance covering injury or escape
- Fire safety certificate for the facility (basic compliance)
- Fixed vet partnership with a cat-literate vet on call
The paperwork reality
Most cat sitters and home catteries in India run informally. They take cash, do not issue receipts, and rely on Instagram reviews. It works until a cat escapes, gets injured, or dies.
My recommendation: check with your ward office about a trade licence, keep an intake form on file, and get liability insurance. The combined cost is under Rs 10,000 per year and protects the business the first time something goes sideways.
How much to charge
Overnight boarding
| Tier | Price range | What you offer |
|---|---|---|
| Budget | Rs 500 to 800 per night | Shared-room setup, basic care, 1 update per day |
| Standard | Rs 800 to 1,500 per night | Private room, 2 meals, Feliway, 2 updates per day |
| Premium | Rs 1,500 to 3,000 per night | Private suite, customized food, webcam access, extra attention, vet check |
Cat sitting
| Service | Price |
|---|---|
| Drop-in visit (30 to 45 min) | Rs 300 to 800 |
| Extended visit (1 to 2 hours) | Rs 600 to 1,200 |
| Overnight live-in (per night) | Rs 1,500 to 2,500 |
| Medication administration | Rs 100 to 200 per day |
Add-ons
| Service | Price |
|---|---|
| Pick-up or drop-off | Rs 300 to 700 (within city) |
| Grooming (basic) | Rs 600 to 1,500 |
| Extended play session | Rs 200 to 400 |
| Nail trim | Rs 200 to 400 |
Pricing tips
- Search "cat boarding <your city>" and "cat sitter <your city>" and sit 10 to 15% below the top result for your first 6 months. Then raise.
- Charge a single-cat premium for multi-cat stays only if the cats actually need separate rooms. Otherwise offer a 20 to 30% sibling discount.
- Premium cat parents (Mumbai, Bangalore, high-end neighborhoods) will pay a real premium for private rooms, cat-literate vets, and webcam access. Position for it.
- Avoid per-hour pricing for sitting. Flat per-visit is simpler to sell.
Finding your first 10 clients
What works
- Vet clinic partnerships. Cat-literate vets are wary of mixed dog-cat facilities, so a cat-only service is easier for them to recommend. Offer them a referral arrangement and leave cards.
- Google Business Profile. Free, maps, reviews. Non-negotiable.
- Instagram (cat-specific). Daily cat photos, hashtags by city and by breed (#persiancatindia, #maincooncat, #indianringneckcat).
- Cat parent Facebook groups. Most metros have 1 or 2. Join, be helpful, mention services only when asked.
- Vet-tech partnerships. Vet techs often know which clients travel and need a sitter.
What does not work
- Generic pet directories. They lump cats and dogs; cat parents bounce.
- Paid ads before reviews. Budget burns with no conversion.
- Pet marketplace apps. They commoditize the service and take a cut.
The cold start
Board a friend's cat for free. Take good photos with clean backgrounds, natural light. Post them. Get a review. Repeat with 2 more friends. You now have 3 reviews and a portfolio.
Day-to-day cat operations
Intake process
Before accepting any cat:
- Vaccination certificate (FVRCP and rabies, both within recommended windows)
- FeLV or FIV test if the cat has outdoor access or will share air with others. Ask the parent's vet whether it is needed.
- Temperament notes (handles transport, tolerates strangers, reacts to other cats)
- Medical briefing (current meds, allergies, chronic conditions, vet contact)
- Diet and litter brand (do not change either during the stay)
Digital intake beats paper here because parents often travel with questions and may want to update the file mid-stay.
Daily routine per cat
| Time | Activity |
|---|---|
| 8:00 AM | Meal 1, litter scoop, fresh water |
| 10:00 to 11:00 AM | Quiet play or companionship (per preference) |
| 12:00 PM | Scent/room check, Feliway refresh |
| 3:00 to 4:00 PM | Meal 2 (if 2-meal schedule) |
| 5:00 to 6:00 PM | Second play session |
| 8:00 PM | Final meal, litter scoop, photo update to parent |
| Ongoing | CCTV spot checks every 2 to 3 hours |
Parent updates
This is where many cat boarders fall down. Cat parents often worry more, because they know cats do not "show" they are okay.
Send 2 photo updates per day, unprompted. Quick WhatsApp. Mention that she ate, she used the litter, she came out from under the bed. That is the update. It takes 60 seconds and builds retention.
Observation protocol
Weigh every cat on arrival and at check-out. If the cat has lost weight, tell the parent and think about a vet visit. Cats hide illness, so weighing them catches what a quick look misses.
Common mistakes
- Accepting unvaccinated cats. 1 undetected panleukopenia case can spread to every cat in your care.
- Mixing new arrivals too quickly. 24 to 48 hours of isolation is the floor, not a "maybe."
- Running cats and dogs in the same facility. Cats smell predator breath through walls. They will not eat, will not use the box, and will leave reviews about it.
- Changing food brands. A sudden change of food often upsets a cat's stomach. Always ask parents to bring 7+ days of their usual food.
- Under-pricing. Cat care is hard to do well. If you priced at Rs 500 per night to get started, raise after 20 reviews or stop accepting.
- Skipping the trial visit. A 1-day trial shows you a bad fit before a long stay.
- No cat-literate vet on call. Find one before you open.
Software to run it
Once you are past 5 active cats across boarding and sitting, WhatsApp alone gets thin.
What you need:
- Intake forms that parents fill out before drop-off (so you have diet, litter, vet, meds in one place)
- Scheduling across boarding rooms and sitting visits, with capacity caps
- Cat-specific fields (FVRCP not DHLPP, cat breeds not dog breeds, cat temperament not "on leash")
- WhatsApp-native updates so parents get photos without downloading anything
- Payment tracking (who paid, who owes, which stay was add-on heavy)
- Multi-cat family records so siblings share a file and a parent
I built petboard to work across dog, cat, and multi-species operators. Since April 2026, cat-only operators can toggle species in Settings and the whole dashboard rewires itself, cat-specific vaccination prompts and all. Plans start at Rs 199 per month. The first booking is free and no card is needed. If you already have a client list in a spreadsheet, you can upload it under Import your clients, free. See also petboard for boarding operators, petboard for facilities, and features that matter in boarding software.
Timeline to profitability
Cat sitting (asset-light)
- Month 1 to 2: Setup, first 3 clients (usually friends or neighbors)
- Month 3 to 4: 8 to 10 regular clients, breaking even
- Month 6+: 15 to 20 clients, Rs 30,000 to 50,000 per month profit (solo)
Home cattery
- Month 1 to 2: Setup, catification, first 2 paying stays
- Month 4 to 6: 40 to 50% occupancy. Monthly costs of Rs 14,500 to 24,000 need only 15 to 24 nights at Rs 1,000, so you cover them early. The rest goes to your pay and your setup cost.
- Month 9+: 60% occupancy or more, Rs 66,000 to 75,500 a month before you pay yourself (the example above)
Dedicated facility
- Month 1 to 3: Build-out, hiring, soft launch
- Month 4 to 8: 30 to 50% occupancy, building reputation. Monthly costs of Rs 1.25 to 2.45 lakh need about 105 to 205 nights at Rs 1,200, which is 23 to 45% occupancy in 15 rooms. So this is where you break even month to month.
- Month 9 to 12: 60 to 70% occupancy. At 65%, that is Rs 1.06 to 2.26 lakh a month profit (the example above), which starts to pay back your setup cost.
- Year 2: 70% occupancy or more. 15 rooms × 30 nights × 70% × Rs 1,200 = Rs 3.78 lakh income, minus costs = Rs 1.33 to 2.53 lakh a month.
Should you do this?
Cat boarding is a quieter business than dog boarding.
It is not a "scale fast" business. It rewards consistency, cat literacy, and patience. You will get to know your clients' cats intimately, and they will stay with you for years.
Start small. Sit for a friend's cat this month. Take notes on what you learn. Then decide whether a home cattery or a facility is next.
More resources:
- Pet Boarding & Kennel Software in India (2026): how operators choose software
- Cat Boarding in India: Setup, Rules & Rates: the species-specific ops protocol
- How to Manage Pet Boarding Without Spreadsheets: ops tooling basics
- Kennel Management Software: Features That Actually Matter: what to look for
Ready to run it properly? Set up your petboard dashboard. Pick Cat in Settings and the whole app rewires for cat-only ops. The first booking is free and no card is needed.