Author Topic: Catteries-a good idea?  (Read 8512 times)

Offline toothfairy

  • Distinguished Cat
  • *****
  • Posts: 885
  • Floss & Tepe
Re: Catteries-a good idea?
« Reply #3 on: October 31, 2008, 22:16:02 PM »
thanks helen x
Feel the fear and do it anyway!
you don't learn anything until you live it

Offline Tiggy's Mum

  • Save a life draw/Commercial Assistant/Moderating Staff
  • Royal Cat
  • *****
  • Posts: 9376
Re: Catteries-a good idea?
« Reply #2 on: October 31, 2008, 22:06:11 PM »
When you ring up see if they'll let you visit pretty much straight away, I went to look at two catteries and only gave them 'travelling time' notice.  Here's a list of things to look for in a cattery from the FAB website.  http://www.fabcats.org/catteries/listed_catteries/index1.php

    * If also a kennels, do the dogs disturb the cats?
    * Are the surroundings neat and tidy?
    * Is there a separate kitchen for food preparation for cats?
    * Were you made welcome?
    * Have you seen the cattery's licence?
    * Do the cats have individual sleeping accommodation? *
    * Do the cats have individual runs? *
    * Is there a shelf for cats to sit/lie on?
    * Is there a scratch post in the run?
    * Is there a gap or full height solid barrier between cat units? *
    * Is there an interesting view for the cats?
    * Is there a safety passage? *
    * Do the cat units have the cats' names on?
    * Are the units clean? *
    * Is there any smell?
    * Do the litter trays and bowls look clean?
    * Is there a form of heating for each cat? *
    * Do the cats in residence look contented?
    * Have you been asked about vaccination? *
    * Have you been asked about your cat's diet?
    * Have you been asked about your cat's health?
    * Does the proprietor seem well informed?
    * Does the proprietor seem caring?

My boys went in a cattery for the first time when I went on holiday this year and they seemed quite stressed by it.  The cattery I chose was lovely, top of the range accomodation and a lovely lady who runs it.  One of them weed in their bed through fright (they've never had a single accident ever at home since tiny kittens) and when I went to pick them up Riley hissed at the cattery lady  :shy:  I had a pet sitter come in twice daily for my next break and when I got home they were completely at ease and normal.  I think for a long stay I'd probably go with a cattery but anything less than a week and I'm definitely going down the petsitter route in future. 

Offline toothfairy

  • Distinguished Cat
  • *****
  • Posts: 885
  • Floss & Tepe
Catteries-a good idea?
« Reply #1 on: October 31, 2008, 21:39:49 PM »
OH and i are going away for 4 days and a friend of mine was actually going to house sit for us but she has cancelled which is a pain in the bottom and there is no one else who can stay at ours, all our friends have their own houses or families.

i have decided to put them into a cattery, what do you all think?
 i am really afraid the boys may get scared with the other cats because they have not been around any others and have never been outside and i would quite like it to stay that way as we live on a main road and do not want them to go out.

do you guys rate catteries, what questions do i need to ask when i call? is there anything i need to look out for when i go?

TF x
Feel the fear and do it anyway!
you don't learn anything until you live it

 


Link to CatChat