What about our hols: Cattery or Friendly Neighbour?

[Lindyloo]

Herstmonceux East Sussex

[Littlebobo]

Where are you based Lindyloo ?

[Lindyloo]

Hi,
I work in a boarding cattery and would say if you have a good one locally this is the best option. A good cattery will be happy for you to vist first and show you around. At the cattery where I work the cats really do receive good care. They are safe, have company, are regularly  checked and we are genuine cat lovers. I love my job. We have a large number of regular customers and as I have been working at the cattery for 6 years many of them really are like part of my own extended cat family. I can assure you not all cattery owners/ staff do it for the money. We have to work 365 days a year for small financial reward but the purrs and cuddles from the cats make it worthwhile. Also the knowledge that the owners trust you enough to keep coming back means a lot.
Lynn

[Littlebobo]

I have to say i dont particularly like catteries although my only advice would be if you are going to leave them with a neighbour PLEASE make sure that they are as cat friendly as you think.

We left Snarf with neighbours who promised us they would check up on her blah blah blah ..anyway cut a long story short i never saw her again ( well alive) and since then me and my neighbour DO NOT really get on.

I personally would say that you are better to get somone who is actually regsitered with pet sitting association like NARP etc ..that way you have peace of mind and not relying on someone who has no real interest as such ...

Plus pet sitter has experience in these kind of things etc etc ..

Anyway my opinion ..Hope it has helped !!

[Hippykitty]

As he hasn't been with you for long, I think it's probably best to ask a neighbour to pop in about twice a day and feed him. It would be great if they could stay for a short time to give him some company.
Considering his nature, it may be best to lock the cat flap for the first dozen times or so that you're away; he needs to get used to the idea that when you go you come back. The first few times he may think that you've left him for good and head off somewhere else. So best to shut him in.

[Rosella moggy]

Oh dear just noticed Preet looks rather like our old fella Gandolf RIP who used to go doo lally when catflap shut. Good luck!



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[Rosella moggy]

Not sure when your 1st hols are but, if quite soon, I would suggest keeping him in as he hasn't been with you a long time and may wander. 

I wouldn't use a cattery if it were possible for him to stay at home.  2 of ours are going into a cattery soon due to noisy building work being carried out. I don't feel happy about it but no alternative and at least they have each other for company.  When he has been with you for longer and you feel he has completely settled, I would be less inclined to keep him in especially as you don't expect hols to be for more than 4 or 5 days each time. 

How did he react when you initially kept him in and how long did that last? It's really down to the individual cat and I haven't really got a handle on how much of man about town he still is. One of my cats used to go doo lally if he knew the catflap was shut but the others have been pretty relaxed if not closed for too long.

[Mark]

I think (good) catteries are fine if you have no other options but if the neighbour is happy then good. I always fed my Neighbours cat Gershwin but always stayed with him for 1/2 hour or so morning and evening. My neighbours also left a radio on the whole time. If your neighbours plan on dumping a bowl and leaving, then maybe a cattery is the best thing - I have never used one and can't imagine taking my babies to a strange place but having seen a cattery, there didn't seem to be any upset cats there.

[Michelle (furbabystar)]

I would say Neighbour BUT keep him indoors while you are away.

It doesnt work to do an over night trial at a cattery (I have Worked in one)

[ccmacey]

Will the neighbour do it for you? If so save your money.

[tammy]

She has to start somewhere and for a first visit I think it would be unfair to put the cat in there for several days, its best to introduce her slowly-similar to when moving house.

Thats what Ive always been advised by vets and animal behaviour specialists.

[Ela]

Perhaps try a cattery for one night while you're still at home and see.

To be honest I don't think one night in a cattery may necessarily help you decide. Many cats take a little longer to settle down than that. Also most cattery owners would say Oh! they were fine, especially if they though they would get more business in the future.

[tammy]

My personal preference is to leave my cats at home. I feel that they will be more comfy with that as they have my smell at home. But having said that some cats crave human companionship and may be better off in a cattery. Perhaps try a cattery for one night while you're still at home and see.

[Team Svartalfheims]

You could always put him into a cattery for a day to see how he reacts to them. He might be a cat who hates catteries and would be far better off at home with a neighbour popping in or he might absolutely love it and prefer it to staying home alone with someone popping in. As Ela said if you leave him at home make sure he's kept inside. Best of luck!

[Mark]

Friendly neighbour if possible!

Catteries, no matter how well run, aren't home. I always leave a few worn t-shirts, jumpers etc around so they have some comforting smells around at least.   

[Ela]

I would think he will be fine at home, but if you do I suggest he is kept indoors as so many people lose their cats when they leave them at home but the cat is allowed outside access. You could ask the neighbour to put the TV on during the day and perhaps leave the radio on during the night.

[samandred]

First off, I'd like to thank you good folks out there as our little fella 'Preet' has settled down nicely and now acts as though we are his home and has his adventures about town but always comes home...

So, the next stage for us to consider is 'what do we do when we go on our holidays...?'

Do we put him in a cattery or do we ask a kind neighbour (who is cool with helping us) to come and fill his food bowl and let him have the run of the house?

Every instinct I have says let him stay at the house, a neighbour will feed him, our smells are all over the place, it is familiar and his territory and a cattery will be a shock to the system.  My one little concern is that I do not want him seeing that we are not there and, seeking companionship, he wanders off a little (though this seems unlikely)

The hols are quite short, only about 4 or 5 days this year but there are a few of them. 

Your thoughts please?