pet at dvc resort question

[A1A1]

We will be staying at the BWV the week before Christmas, and wonder what to do with our pet. We have a kitten/cat who is about 5 1/2 months old. We have had her in our family for about two months. Don't know if she is too young to stay "home alone" for a week with adequate food and water and litter. I have never boarded a pet in the WDW kennels. Have you?

Didn't know where to post this. Please move if necessary.

 

[Caskbill]

As you know you cannot have the pet in the unit. I probably wouldn't board at a WDW kennel. They're mostly dogs, (if not 100% dogs), and that might be traumatic for a kitten. If you want to board, you might do it at a kennel near your home. Maybe one that wouldn't have much traffic in and out and might be a littler quieter.

That said, I personally would not worry about the kitten staying home alone for a week. We've had cats for 35 years now, and have left them home alone on numerous occassions.

Decide which rooms the kitten would be allowed to use, and close and block all other doors so the kitten can't accidently get locked in a different room.

Make sure the room has at least one window with a ledge or piece of furniture the kitten can get on and look out the window.

You might go to the pet store (or Wal-mart etc) and get both a dry feeder and a water bottle feeder that automatically replenish the bowl as food/water is consumed. Make sure the water bottle cannot be tipped over while you are gone. (We always put down a deep bowl of water as an emergency backup in case one gets spilled) The dry food should be for a kitten. Do not get adult food.

You'll want more than one litter box. You can temporarily use a cardboard box, cut down, and filled with litter. Make sure the bottom of the box is lined so liquids will not soak through. Or just get several plastic litter boxes. (We actually use a Litter Maid automatic litter box which works fine for a week or more)

Make sure the kitten has something to scratch on. Don't keep him/her in a room with good furniture.

Make sure there's a comfortable place to sleep.

If there's some toys around, leave them available. The kitten will have much more energy than an adult cat and will need to entertain themselves more.

Be sure you set everything up well before you go so the kitten has several days getting use to the setup you've made, while you're still there.

Cats and kittens are very independent. After about a day they'll start their own routine. You should be fine.

 

[MdmMim]

We leave ours "home alone", too. We do have someone check in every other day and spend a few mintues with the cats. (They check food/water, make sure the furnace is still on when necessary, etc.) You might want to ask your vet if he/she could reccommend a place to board your kitten or a reliable pet-sitter. (An older responsible neighborhood kid has helped us in the past.) JMHO, but I really think they're better off at home in their own environment.
Good luck with your decision!

 

[A1A1]

Thank you so much. Very helpful information.

I called the airline this morning to find out their policy on pets in the cabin. Southwest said they do not allow any animals in the cabin or cargo hold unless it is a service dog. That answered the question of whether or not to actually bring the kitten.

I will call the vet today for their recommendation of boarding vs. staying at home, but it looks like stay at home will happen. I have never felt guilty of leaving a pet home before, but this kitten is always sitting on someone or next to someone. She is never in a room bu herself, very un-kitty-like. Very much a lap cat.

We will be driving down to WDW from NY State in the summer. The whole trip will be a month. I haven't figured that one out yet. We will probably take her with us then. Any advice beside "don't go for that long"?

 

[dianeschlicht]

I have always felt the WDW kennels are good. They accomodate animals of all types... even snakes and girbles! They keep the smaller animals in a different area from the dogs.

 

[scootert]

You might want to ask your vet if he/she knows of a "cats only" boarding facility in your area. We've found them to be much easier for our cats -- no barking, less stressful. The folks at our facility are absolutely crazy about cats and play with them whenever they can. Our "boys" are very spoiled when they return home. If that won't work, maybe a house/pet sitter would work out for you. Good luck

 

[A1A1]

Funny you should write that Scootert. I just called the vet and got the number of a cats only home that provides a 6x6 room for each cat or family of cats. It sounds nice, because it is the lady's home. Only down side is that we will have to keep kitty there four extra days, because we are leaving so early on Monday am and when we return it will be Christmas eve. That stinks. I think she will be okay there, but I will call the lady to see if she can make any arrangement to let us get the cat back on Christmas eve. Hope kitty won't be traumatized by being out of her surroundings.

Right now she is sitting right in front of the tv with her head looking straight up at the Discovery Channel cartoons I put on for dd. She's amazed by it. Anyway. Thanks!

 

[WDWguru]

We have four cats and have had great luck with in-home pet sitters. There's a bonded national one called Critter Care - check your phone book to see if you have any local agents.

We've found the cats are much more comfortable in their own surroundings. The Critter Care folks came in well before their first "business" visit to meet us and the animals, get the lay of the land and wrote down TONS of notes on their routines. You can arrange for them to either keep a key on file or just leave one for them each trip. They will come by as many times a day as you like (it costs just a few bucks more for multiple visits). They spend time with them, play with them, and will also do things like bring in your mail, alternate lights, etc.

It gives us great peace of mind that someone is there in case - God forbid - something were to happen. It also keeps the cats relaxed and in their own environment, plus we have someone to sort of keep an eye on the house as well. They're bonded and insured and with the visit beforehand we felt very comfortable with our local folks.

The cost is based on the number of pets you have and how many visits per day you want. I believe ours started at $10 per day for one visit (with 4 cats and a fish tank) and it's only $12 for two... you can go up to four visits per day.

If you don't have Critter Care, I'm sure there are others in your area. Try calling the Humane Society or another local animal group and I'm sure they can put you in touch. Or check the classifieds or yellow pages.

 

[kem330]

If you leave your kitty at home, you should definitely have someone check on her every day. Fresh water, change the box, etc. Also, not to be alarming, but they should be checking on the house since the kitty is there- friends just had a house fire from an extension cord to a humidifier- happened 1 hour after she left for work and dog died of smoke inhallation. We get a young adult- a teacher who enjoys staying in a home vs. an apartment to house sit our pets, because they hate being boarded.

 

[PamOKW]

Good point Kem. Especially at this time of the year, if the power should go out the poor kitty could freeze (if you are coming from the north).

 

[Dean]

Just to clarify for those that might read this thread and have slightly different interests. Technically, pets are not allowed on DVC property at all. Also, it was my impression that the WDW kennels required the owners to walk, feed, etc unlike most boarding facilities. Someone can correct me that might have more specific info but this is what I've been told.

 

[RobDoc]

Here is a link to information about the WDW Kennels. Pets are allowed in some areas at FW Campground and at the kennels located at each Theme Park.

<a href="http://disneyworld.disney.go.com/waltdisneyworld/resorts/pets/petinfogroupingindex?id=BWIPetInfoGrping"> WDW Kennels Information</a>

Enjoy!

 

[Lesley]

If you're leaving kitty at home please do have someone checking in, and be sure to "kitty-proof"....

My grandmom's one cat turned the stove on while she was at work (it was a push button model, the cat jumped on it)......the kitchen was destroyed and 2 cats and a dog were killed from smoke inhalation...another cat ran away right after.

If the cat sitting place is in someone's home I'm sure you'll be able to pick her up sometime Christmas Eve!

 

[Dancind]

We go with the house/cat sitter idea. We have a cat that would rather socialize than eat, and feel that he needs company. He would create major havoc if left alone too long. (Anyone else have a Tonkinese?) Luckily, we know some nice, responsible college kids that are willing to stay for about $10 a day! Diana