Cat Boarding Near Nashville: What to Know Before You Book

Why Nashville Cat Owners Are Searching for Boarding Near Home

Searches for "cat boarding in my area" have been climbing steadily among Nashville pet owners, and the reason is straightforward: more people here travel regularly, and leaving a cat alone for days isn't a real option. Whether it's a business trip to Atlanta or a week-long vacation, Nashville cat owners need somewhere local and trustworthy to leave their pets.

Nashville's expansion as a corporate and healthcare hub means a significant portion of residents travel on a recurring schedule. Staff at hospitals near TriStar Skyline Medical Center, professionals commuting to out-of-state offices, and remote workers attending quarterly meetings all face the same problem: what happens to the cat? Proximity to a boarding facility matters more than most people initially consider. A shorter drive means less time in a carrier, which is a real factor in how stressed a cat arrives.

Hillcrest Kennel and Grooming, located at 3541 Dickerson Pike, Nashville, TN 37207, sits in a corridor that's accessible to cat owners coming from East Nashville, Madison, Goodlettsville, and the neighborhoods in between. Residents near Shelby Bottoms Greenway are a short drive north on Dickerson Pike. That geographic convenience is part of why local cat owners keep coming back rather than searching for options farther out.

Many first-time boarders don't know that dedicated cat boarding exists separately from dog kennels. They assume "boarding" means their cat shares a facility with barking dogs, which understandably puts them off. That's not how our setup works. Our cat condos sit in the front office area, physically removed from the dog boarding section.

Local reputation matters when you're choosing where to leave your pet. A facility you can vet through neighbors, coworkers, or your vet's recommendation carries more weight than a listing you found online with no local ties. Bellshire Family Vet at 4021 Dickerson Pike is right up the road for Nashville cat owners who need a rabies vaccination updated before boarding. That kind of neighborhood-level infrastructure makes the whole process easier to manage without scrambling across town.

Our drop-off hours run 7:00 AM to 9:00 AM and 4:00 PM to 5:00 PM on Mondays and Wednesdays, with Tuesday hours running 7:00 AM to 5:00 PM. Knowing that before you book means no surprises on departure day. For multi-pet households, we board both cats and dogs, so you're not coordinating two separate facilities for one trip.

Inside Hillcrest's Cat Boarding Setup on Dickerson Pike

The cat boarding area at Hillcrest Kennel and Grooming is physically separate from the dog kennel. Cat condos are located in the front office, not tucked into a shared kennel room where dogs are coming and going all day. That separation is the single most important thing to understand about how this Nashville facility is set up.

Most cats board poorly in noisy environments. Barking, kennel doors, and foot traffic through a busy dog run are stressors that build over a multi-day stay. The front office location is quieter by design, it sees normal staff movement rather than the constant activity of a full kennel wing. For a cat that already finds travel and new spaces disorienting, that difference in ambient noise matters more than most owners expect before they've boarded a cat the first time.

We accept all cats, regardless of breed or size. Whether you have a 16-pound Maine Coon or a small domestic shorthair, the setup works. There are no restrictions that would turn away a Nashville cat owner based on what kind of cat they have.

The rate is $25 per day. That's the full cost for a cat condo stay, with no ambiguity about what you're paying for. For East Nashville and Madison cat owners comparing boarding options against in-home pet sitters, that number holds up well on price.

This isn't a dog facility that reluctantly added a few cat spaces. We've boarded cats here for over 70 years, going back to the 1950s, making Hillcrest one of Music City's longest-running boarding operations. Our team of five handles both sides of the facility, so the same staff that knows your dog also knows your cat is in the front office.

Related: How to Prepare Your Cat for Their First Boarding Stay

Related: Cat Boarding in Nashville: What to Expect

Our hours follow a split schedule on most days. Monday and Wednesday run 7:00 AM to 9:00 AM and 4:00 PM to 5:00 PM. Tuesday runs 7:00 AM to 5:00 PM. If you need to verify current hours before your drop-off, call ahead. Arriving outside pickup windows is the most common scheduling mistake first-time boarders make, and it's an easy one to avoid.

Related: Large Dog Boarding in Nashville: What Big Breeds Need

If your cat's vaccinations aren't current before booking, Bellshire Family Vet at 4021 Dickerson Pike is close by on the same road. Rabies vaccination is required for boarding. Getting that squared away before your travel date keeps the check-in process straightforward for everyone.

How to Prepare Your Cat for a Nashville Boarding Stay

A little preparation before drop-off makes the whole stay easier, for your cat and for you. Here's what to sort out before you arrive at Hillcrest Kennel and Grooming at 3541 Dickerson Pike.

The first thing to confirm is vaccination status. Rabies vaccination is required before we can accept a cat for boarding. Pull your cat's records before you book, not the morning of drop-off. If your cat's rabies shot is overdue, Bellshire Family Vet (Animal Clinic of Bellshire) at 4021 Dickerson Pike is just up the road and can get your cat current before the stay. Plan for this a week or two out if you can, especially around the holidays when Nashville vet appointments fill up fast.

Knowing our hours before you schedule travel matters more than most owners realize. Monday and Wednesday run on split hours: 7:00–9:00 AM and 4:00–5:00 PM only. Tuesday hours are 7:00 AM to 5:00 PM straight through. If you're flying out of Nashville on a Wednesday morning and need to drop off by 8:30 AM, that works. But if you're returning on a Wednesday afternoon and land after 5:00 PM, you're picking up the next day. Build your travel itinerary around these windows, not the other way around.

When you arrive, bring the following:

• Vaccination records (physical copy or digital)
• Your cat's regular food, if the diet is specific
• A small piece of familiar bedding or a worn t-shirt

That last item matters more than people expect. A familiar scent in the cat condo helps cats settle faster. Our condos are located in the front office area, physically separated from the dog boarding section, so the environment is quieter and lower-stimulation than a standard kennel, exactly what an anxious cat needs from the moment they arrive.

If your plans come together late, same-day booking is available for applicable services, so a last-minute trip doesn't have to leave your cat without a plan. Our five-person staff handles the intake process directly, so you're not dealing with a front desk that has no idea where your cat is going.

Cat Boarding vs. Pet Sitters: What Nashville Owners Should Consider

Most Nashville cat owners weigh two options before a trip: hire a pet sitter or book a boarding facility. Both can work, but they solve different problems, and the differences matter more than most people expect before they've tried both.

See also: Holiday Dog Boarding Nashville: Book 6 Weeks Ahead

A pet sitter's reliability depends entirely on that one person. If they get sick, have a scheduling conflict, or simply forget a visit, your cat is on its own until the next check-in. A staffed facility operates on a fixed schedule every day. At Hillcrest, five staff members rotate through daily routines, so no single person's bad day means your cat goes unattended. That consistency is hard to replicate with a solo sitter.

Experience also plays a role that's easy to underestimate. A cat that stops eating or hides more than usual may be stressed or coming down with something. Recognizing that pattern takes repetition. Our team has been boarding cats in Nashville for over 70 years, which means we've seen the difference between a cat that's just adjusting to a new space and one that needs a closer look. A pet sitter working a handful of clients may not have that frame of reference.

For multi-pet households, the logistics case for boarding is straightforward. If you own both a dog and a cat, a pet sitter typically means coordinating two separate schedules, two sets of instructions, and two points of contact while you're away. Boarding both animals at our facility on Dickerson Pike means one drop-off, one pick-up, and one place to call with questions. That simplicity matters when you're already managing travel.

Our cat condos are located in the front office area, physically separated from the dog boarding section. Cats board at $25 per day, and the space stays noticeably quieter than the main kennel. For East Nashville pet owners familiar with the community around the Bark Park at 800 Meridian Street, Hillcrest is a short drive north on Dickerson Pike and accepts all cat breeds and sizes without restriction.

Pet sitters work well for some cats and some situations. But if your priority is consistent oversight, experienced staff, and a facility built to handle both your dog and your cat in the same visit, a dedicated boarding facility is the more reliable choice.

Cat Boarding Near Nashville: Common Questions Answered

If you're boarding your cat for the first time, you probably have a few questions before you hand over the carrier. Here are the ones we hear most often at Hillcrest Kennel and Grooming, with straight answers.

How much does cat boarding cost at Hillcrest?

Cat boarding is $25 per day. That rate applies to all cats regardless of size or breed. There are no tiered pricing structures or add-on fees for the standard condo setup. You can find us at 3541 Dickerson Pike, just north of downtown Nashville.

Are cats kept separate from dogs?

Yes, completely. The cat condos are in the front office area, physically separated from the dog boarding section. Your cat won't share a hallway, a room, or a wall with the dogs. The front office is noticeably quieter than the kennel area, which matters for cats that stress easily in new environments. If you're boarding both a dog and a cat with us, the two areas operate independently.

What vaccinations does my cat need before boarding?

We require a current Rabies vaccination before your cat can board. If your cat is due for vaccines, Bellshire Family Vet (Animal Clinic of Bellshire) is at 4021 Dickerson Pike, a short drive up the road from us. Call them ahead of time to confirm availability, and bring documentation to your drop-off appointment.

What are the drop-off and pick-up hours?

Hours vary by day:

• Monday: 7:00–9:00 AM and 4:00–5:00 PM
• Tuesday: 7:00 AM–5:00 PM
• Wednesday: 7:00–9:00 AM and 4:00–5:00 PM

Monday and Wednesday run split hours. If you arrive outside those windows, drop-off and pick-up aren't available. Tuesday gives you a continuous window, which is more flexible. Hours can shift around holidays, so confirm the current schedule when you book. A quick call before you leave saves a wasted trip.