Cattery or neighbours to feed the cat - what would you do?

[Hilary]

Our cat is elderly (13 ish), although we've only had her for a couple of years, has always lived in our road (long story!) and has free access to the garden and neighbouring fields with hardly any traffic in the immediate area.

When we go away for the weekend our neighbour is very willing to come in to feed the cat, but whenever we've been away for longer periods we have taken her (the cat - not the neighbour ) to the cattery.

We are going to Florida again in a few weeks and this time I'm really torn and am tempted to ask the neighbour. DD2 and DH think the cat would be 'safer in the cattery, DD1 and I think she'd be happier at home, but I'm not 100% sure.

What would you do?

 

[Fiona R from UK]

We look after the neighbours' cat when they are away, we remember to feed "it" most of the time, honest!!!

I would go for the cattery, I would feel sorry for the neighbour if the cat were to "expire", they would feel very guilty. The cat has been before so not as bad as a new experience.

We leave our dog in kennels for 2 weeks once a year, he was very happy to go the second time, but is pleased to see you on returning!! So it can't be that bad. Cats are freer spirits though!!

I'm sure the cat willhave a lovely time whatever you decide.

 

[Jennie4647]

Hi,


We always leave our cat Molly at home and my neighbour feeds and waters her. She also opens and closes curtains etc., We do the same for them when they are away, I feed and water the cat - Paws - and the other animals. No hassle. I think she misses us (Molly, not the neighbour, although our neighbour might!) but I do believe she is happier at home.


Jennie

 

[Wellard Stallard]

Hi everyone

Do cats normally settle in ok at a cattery? We have booked our 2 cats in for 3 wks in October. I'm dreading it as my mom usually comes to my house and feeds them etc, but we moved last Nov and we are a bit further away - I don't think it is fair to expect my mom to come over every day to feed and check on them. It's costing us a fortune (£184) and I don't feel I know the neighbours well enough to look after them - and 3 wks is a long time! Does anyone else ever have any problems taking their cats to a cattery??

Thanks

 

[Goofyish]

We had my brother-in-law come and feed our cat. Our cat is a very independant type of cat anyway, and spends most of his time either outside somewhere (often wondered where he goes at night) or fast asleep on his favourite chair inside.
My BIL used to come stay in the evening to keep him company (I'm assured that he did this for the cat and not because we have Sky and he doesn't ).

 

[Nick The Cat]

We always put the cat into the cattery because
a) he was abandoned and we had him from the RSPCA and we always worry that he will think we've abandoned him again.

b) he misses company and I worry that he might not be there when we get back

c) we have no cat flap - due to the design of the doors.

We have a lovely cattery nearby where they make a fuss of the cats every day and even have the radio on for them. They also have heated beds.

Nick will be going for a month next August and although I worry that he might think we've abandoned him I will also know that he will be safe and well at Cosycats

 

[Mrs Dazzle]

OOH - VERY trickey one.

Personally, I couldn't put my 3 into a cattery - we have good friends who pop up from about 7 doors along to feed them all every day. The Guinea Pigs go to our other friends for their holidays - different sort of grass further down the lane, you see

I must admit the first time we went off to Florida I was very worried about one - "Old George her Ladyness" because she's such a picky paws (her and her brother are now at the old age of 13, too, Hilary ). When we got back, Charlie came running up to meet us and lavished affection on us, even though we knew he'd been well looked after. George - she finally appeared from the field about 4 hours after we were home and kept giving us really black looks (well, she is black and believe you me, when she gives you one of her "looks" you know ALL about it ).

Felix - well, he adopted us two years ago and again I was a little worried about leaving him for the first time, but because the other two were around he was fine.

My personal view is that mine are happier in their own "garden" in our case (although they do have a cat flap into the garage and furry bedding in the greenhouse in the winter - am I soft, or what ).

Let us know what you decide

 

[KayleeUK]

Hi

When we went in 2000 - my friend came and stayed at our house for the 2 weeks. This year unfortunetly that is not possible so we decided to put the kitties (all 3) in a cattery.

In August I put them in for 3 day's whilst we went a way for the weekend as a trial for them. Now they were really pleased to see us when we arrived back. Once we got them home I did get severely told off by Milly - she walked in every room and made a very funny meow - after the prawns were dished up they all seemed OK.

So they are booked to go back in a few weeks time for two weeks. I hope they now know that we will be back to pick them up

Nick the Cat out Cattery is called Cosy Cats nr Ivybridge in Devon - I can't remember where you live is is the same one??

Kaylee

 

[UKDEB]

Hilary, I agree with all of you! I think she'd probably be safer in the cattery and happier at home.

I've always hated the thought of having to put ours in a cattery and we've been lucky up until now in that our neighbours, our friends and my in-laws will all help out. When we go away for 3 weeks in October, m-i-l is feeding them for us. I wouldn't feel comfortable asking someone who was just an acquaintance, though - it's a big responsibility if something happens. I'll make sure m-i-l has the vet's telephone number just in case.

We have 3, so they have one another for company. Maybe yours would be better off in the cattery, especially as she's been before.

 

[Janice]

I cant be of any help whatsover, because I dont have any pets to worry about....... but I am just glad that none of you live near enough to ask me to look after your kitties because, well..........I dont have a very good reputation when it comes to looking after other people's pets

The story:

My old neighbour (not in age, just where we used to live) had <i> - very operative word here - </i> an aviary with 27 birds in it. They go to Greece every year and they used to ask us to look after their house, their fish pond and their birds. In fact, I used to do Linda's job in London for the three weeks they were away! Anyway - about 4 years ago, off they go - leaving us with the keys etc.

First night, I get home from work, go in to check, 1 bird was dead!

Next night after work, pop in again, 3 more birds were dead!

Third night, I very gingerly, assisted by DH, make my way to the aviary - OMG - I cannot believe it..............6 more~~~~ well, were no more!!!

I was in a state. Went to feed the fish, O. M. G. Two were floating on top of the pond.

DH checked for foxes, cats, herons but no evidence of "foul" play, so he painstakingly cleaned the aviary and checked as best he could everything and well...what more could we do.

Next night after work, all four of us went in (dont know why I thought there might be safety in numbers?) and well, no more fish were floating, but then there was only two left anyway - but worse...............there was only 3 birds left alive! I was panic stricken.

I took the next day off work and went to the vets. I didnt know what to do. I had all these deceased birds in a box and really was ........well, I was beside myself with worry. Anyway - the vet did a quick inspection and examination and pronounced that they had died from a disease that was in the seed - there would have been nothing I could have done about it - they would have died even if my neighbour hadnt gone away.

They came home to 1 bird!

We laugh about this now - and sorry it has been long, and sorry for hijacking your thread Hilary - but I just wanted to warn anyone within 50 miles of where we live -- DONT ASK ME WHAT EVER YOU DO! LOL

 

[Mpet]

It's a difficult decision. We used to put our cat in the cattery and he seemed to like it OK. It was a really nice cattery with huge shed type things for the cats to live in and a piped music!

Since then we have acquired two more cats and it becomes a little expensive to board all three. We have had MIL to stay and look after them a few times. The last couple of ocassions we had a friend of DH come in every day to feed them (and keep an eye on the house). They seemed to like this much more. As they didn't have 'human company' for much of the day, they ran riot (not indoors) and went on a killing spree. DH's friend had to clear up several dead pigeons, mice, one rat and one squirrel

We think they were welcome home pressies for us!

Maxine

 

[thatcats]

It's a difficult one because all cats, as cat owners know have their different personaities.

I have 4 cats and although it is expensive I always put them in our friendly local cattery when we go on holiday. They love it there and are always as fat as butter when we go to collect them.

The reason that I don't leave them at home is that I would be so worried if whoever was looking after them had problems getting them to come in at night or worse still one got run over or some such occurance.

So for a worry free holiday they go to the cattery.

 

[DisneyAli]

I have four cats and we have always put them in a cattery about 20 mins from where we live. We have one 2 mins down the road but the one further away is top class. My eldest cat always protests about coming HOME..... The last time they were in, my half persian was trying to climb up to see what was going on around her so they very kindly put a chair in for her to sit on! They get fed their normal food but the cattery also provides chicken, fish, tuna if the customer is happy for their cats to have these as extra treats.

I feel happier them being in a cattery as if they do unfortunatley become ill then someone is on hand to take them to the vets, also if they became ill whilst left at home and the person looking after them perhaps hasnt realised that they havent come home etc they might be out somewhere unwell.

Just a point, when i had to go into hospital for major surgery last year, my husband was unfortunately unable to get home from sea, and as i had to go in at very short notice the cattery were unable, as much as they tried, to accomodate my cats, so my mum offered to "move" in with them for the 5 days i was in hospital, now my cats know my parents very well, but by the third day two of them had stopped eating, even the guaranteed to eat fresh chicken was sneezed at and they didnt touch a thing until i came home 2 days later, then they ate for England.

At the end of the day its up to the individual as you know your cat better than anyone else, but for complete peace of mind it is cattery for our moggies.

 

[Hilary]

Thanks for all your replies - I'm no nearer an ideal answer, but it's reassuring to find you're all just as worried about doing the 'right' thing as I am!

I start out one day thinking "yes, she'll be happier here", then by the end of the day I'm back to "but she'd be safer / healthier in the cattery" I've got to decide soon, so I'll let you know what it's to be!

 

[WDWfan uk]

Janice you must have felt so awful!! Did they ask you to look after their next lot of birds ?

Have you discussed it with your neighbour Hilary and explained why you feel uncertain?

 

[Hilary]

Well, I've just phoned the Cattery and booked her in!

I do actually feel quite relieved now I've done that, so maybe that's an indication that I would have been uneasy if we'd decided to leave her with the neighbours.

Thanks again for all the advice

 

[KayleeUK]

I am glad you have made the decision on what is best for you and your cat

kaylee

 

[Nick The Cat]

Hi Kaylee
Our Cosycats is near Worcester - must be a common name for catteries

 

[jjcollins]

Hilary our wee george goes to Oakland farm Hotel for his Hols...LOL...they're great with him Buds crisps+ Sky sports the usual things hes accustomed to....LOL

Great peace of mind for us too.....


jj......

 

[Mrs Dazzle]

Glad you've sorted it, Hilary.

She'll have a marvellous holiday, too!

Our Guinea Pigs go on their holiday this afternoon to aunty Lesley
I can tell they're excited . . . they actually stopped chomping on the lawn in their run this morning to squeak at me when I put their food in

Our cats are stop-at-home, but major panic earlier last week and little Felix had a cut on his paw that wasn't healing. Turns out he has some strange condition in his paws that means things don't heal as they should, but good old steroids and antibiotics and he's well on the mend. Now all I have to do it get a new bottle of arthritic drops for old lady George . . . I dunno, but they're worth it