Wintering Abroad? A Guide to Long-Stay Pet Boarding

Towards the end of October, a familiar rhythm returns to Kyrenia (Girne). Some of our neighbours — the "swallows" — fly back to the UK to spend Christmas with family, others visit relatives in Russia or elsewhere whom they haven't seen for months, and some simply swap the coldest weeks for a different climate. The plans differ, but the question is always the same: "Where will my cat or dog stay while I'm away — and who will look after them?" A separation of several weeks, or even months, needs different preparation from a long weekend. Here is a step-by-step guide to making a long stay easy for you and for your pet.

How a long stay works at PurrNest

On a long stay, continuity matters more than anything. Your pet doesn't live in a cage but in a private room of their own, which becomes their home for the weeks ahead. Cats and dogs stay in completely separate wings and never come into contact, so your cat isn't bothered by barking and your dog isn't distracted by the scent of cats.

• A steady daily routine: meals, play, walks and rest follow the same pattern every day.
• Regular vet check-ups: our in-house vet examines your pet on arrival and at regular intervals throughout the stay.
• Round-the-clock supervision: our team is there day and night, 24/7.
• Daily photos and videos: you can see for yourself how they are getting on every day, and we can arrange video calls on request.
• A long-stay discount: the longer the stay, the better the rate — the details are set out in your personalised quote.

Before you leave: a preparation checklist

Vaccinations valid for the whole stay

This is the point most often overlooked. Vaccinations must be valid not only on the day of arrival but right up to the day you collect your pet. Check the rabies date in particular: if it expires during the stay, talk to your vet about a booster before you travel. For cats we ask for the combination vaccine (FVRCP) and rabies; for dogs, the DHPPi+L combination and rabies. Internal and external parasite treatments should be up to date, and dogs must also be microchipped and registered with the local municipality.

Medication and a written dosage plan

If your pet takes regular medication, bring enough for the whole stay plus a few days' spare. Leave the dose, timing and method in writing, ideally with a note from your own vet. Treatments that need regular administration, such as insulin, continue under the supervision of our in-house vet.

Their usual food

The easiest way to avoid an upset tummy is not to change food. Bring enough of their usual food to last the stay, and write down the brand and variety — that makes it much easier to find the same one if anything goes wrong.

Habits, fears and little secrets

Nobody knows your pet better than you. Jot down a few lines about where they like to sleep, which toy they adore, what frightens them and what calms them down. A blanket from home or a T-shirt that smells of you makes the first few days far easier.

An emergency contact and consent for vet decisions

Leave the details of someone you trust who lives in Cyprus, in case we can't reach you. We also ask for your written consent so that our vet can make the necessary treatment decisions if you are unreachable. We hope it's never needed, but across time zones and long-haul flights it saves precious time.

Handover day: home pick-up and a note about the Green Line

With a flight to catch, you may not want to add a trip to the pet hotel to your to-do list. We offer home pick-up and drop-off in Kyrenia town centre and Dikmen, in the coastal villages from Alsancak and Lapta to Çatalköy and Esentepe, and in Nicosia (Lefkoşa) and Gönyeli. We collect your pet from your door before you fly and bring them home when you are back, and Ercan Airport transfers are available too. If you are flying from Larnaca, one important reminder: pets cannot cross the Green Line, so owners flying from Larnaca need to leave their pet somewhere they trust in the north for the whole trip.

Staying in touch across time zones

Whether you are in the UK, Russia or on another continent, the photos and videos still arrive every day. Tell us which channel you prefer — WhatsApp or email — and when you are usually free, and we will schedule video calls around your time zone. If a question pops into your head, a quick message is all it takes.

Coming home: slow and calm

A reunion after weeks apart is exciting, but give your pet a few days to settle back in. Keep the first day quiet, stick to the same feeding and litter routine, and put off having visitors for a little while. Cats will want to sniff and re-explore the house; dogs will be delighted to get back to their favourite walking route. When you collect your pet, we will tell you how they ate and slept during the stay and share the results of the vet check-ups, so the switch back to home life is seamless.

If your plans are taking shape

The winter and New Year period can get busy, so we recommend sharing your dates early. Fill in the booking form or send us a WhatsApp message, and we will prepare a personalised quote based on your dates, your pet's needs and your transfer preferences. Whether you need a cattery in North Cyprus or dog boarding in Kyrenia for the winter, your companion will be waiting for you calmly in a cage-free room of their own while you are away.