When it comes to cat-boarding facilities in Bend, meow is spoken here. Central Oregon boasts of several feline kennels where owners can leave man’s new best friend, replete with climbing shelves, scratching posts and bird-watching perches.

“The cat is the No. 1 companion animal in the country now. With the increase in people who choose cats comes an increase in demand,” said veterinarian Elizabeth Colleran, president of the American Association of Feline Practitioners based in Hillsborough, N.J.

Roughly 93 million cats live with their owners in this country, compared with 77 million dogs, according to statistics cited by the American Veterinary Medical Association. The greater number of cats, combined with more humans traveling, has increased the need for cat boarding, Colleran said.

The Bend Kitty Lodge, a cats-only facility, is a sprawling hostel in east Bend where occasional meows punctuate the harp music played on a CD player. On a recent sunny morning, a dozen cats snoozed, rolled about or batted at toys. In a room-sized “catio” — a term for securely enclosed outdoor areas that expose cats to the great outdoors — a wide-eyed Himalayan watched birds flit about.

Owner Beckie Wilson took over the lodge in 1997. “I love cats and like business, so it seemed like a good fit,” said Wilson, who owns the facility with her husband, Ron. In the reception area, cat mobiles dangle from the ceiling, ceramic cats line the shelves and cat posters dot the walls.

Extended vacations prompt owners to leave their cats here, but life’s expected twists and turns also contribute, said Kathy Jordan, a six-year employee of the lodge. For example, the owner of Snowshoe, a fluffy Siamese mix with gentle eyes, is a soldier suddenly sent to Afghanistan for a year, Jordan said. The owner of Norton, a black puffball who delights in human touch, recently moved to Bend and bought a house but the closing date was delayed. Also, “We get cats of owners who’ve gone into long-term rehabilitation after surgery or illness,” she said.

Also in east Bend is the Bend Pet Resort, which caters mainly to dogs but offers separate “deluxe kitty condos,” each with climbing shelves and a large window that faces a busy bird bath and feeder. The resort’s feline residents that morning were Riffraff, a Siamese mix, and a black cat named Jazabelle, both from the same household. Each had its own condo, something a lot of cats prefer, said Kathy Granacki, who runs the facility with her husband, Ken. “We’ve found they prefer a quiet environment,” she said.

When it comes to showing anxiety, cats don’t howl or chew on shoes like dogs. “They’re more subtle,” said Ken Granacki, who, besides owing the Pet Resort, professionally shows his dogs and cats. Instead, stressed-out felines might stop eating or drinking. “We monitor their habits carefully,” he said, which includes changing the litter boxes once or even twice daily to see if — and how often — the cats are using them.

At the Happy Tales Pet Resort between Bend and Redmond, cats are kept in an area adjacent to the office with a large window that overlooks what staff calls a “bird sanctuary,” said manager Andi Sillers. “They love to watch the activity of the birds, and we love that they can do it without being a threat to them.” The cats are housed near the office to keep them separate from dogs and to ensure that “they get lots of hands-on loving and petting,” Sillers said.

Any reputable boarding facility will require proof that cats are updated on their vaccinations, which includes rabies and FVRCP (which covers some respiratory infections and distemper), along with Fel-leuk for outdoor cats, according to the website of the American Veterinary Medical Association.

“Absolutely, no one should risk diseases getting spread among cats,” said Wilson of the Bend Kitty Lodge. Happy Tales and the Bend Pet Resort also have vaccine requirements. Additionally, staff at any of the three facilities administer medication. Insulin shots for diabetes in older cats are especially common, Wilson said.

Evaluating a kennel

Does Fluffy care what color her enclosure is? No, says PetPlace .com, a veterinarian-run website dedicated to the health and wellness of pets. Instead, focus on safety, comfort and the staff’s friendliness and competence. Visit the kennel before you book a reservation, the website advises. Here is what PetPlace .com recommends you look for:

• Ask questions about the staff. How many people work there and how long have they worked there? What kind of training have they received?

• Kennel should be clean inside and out. Proper sanitation is one of the most important aspects of preventing the spread of contagious diseases.

• Cats should not be boarded with dogs.

• Cats should be provided with stimuli and opportunities for exercise.

• Discuss how your cat will be cared for in the event of an illness.

• If your cat is on medication, make sure the employees are trained to administer it.

— Linda Weiford