vacation/cat boarding

[7165red]

I am going on vacation to WDW next Mon. and I have to board my cat and the guilt feelings I have is taking aways from preparing for my trip. This is not new to me I have always boarded my cat and he always comes home safe and sound but I still feel awful. I have a additional guilt trip I am on, we have a semi feral cat that lives in my house she is the sister of my house cat. Well it took yrs. for her to step foot in our house let alone touch her. She will now let us pet her but never pick her up, in order to board her she has to be up to date with all her shots. It will never happen, she had to be trapped to be neutered. I have always built a out door house for her and her another brother and they always do well. The house is well built and I have to let her go out side when I leave. She is by nature a outdoor cat for yrs. and still goes out doors. I still feel guilt. By the way we do set up food for them been doing this for yrs. We take a vacation in Sept. 1 wk. and 1 wk at xmas and we really need it. The rest of the yr. my cats live like kings, and we love them. I just had to share my guilty feeling and if anyone wants to add to my guilt please don't respond. If this were summer I would not have a problem.

 

[christiane]

You have a kind heart worrying about your cats! We usually take our dogs with us when we travel, but the cats stay home with a pet-sitter. I assume they prefer it that way, rather than hitting the road with us!

Your cat will be just fine, especially since she has boarded before and done well. The outdoor cats will be fine also, as long as someone still comes by every day to feed them & give fresh water. It was very sweet of you to build them a nice, cosy house.

Have a great vacation and try not to feel too guilty since they get your love & attention most of the year!

 

[snoopy two]

Is is possible you could have someone come by the house once a day and take care of the cats? You could even leave the feral cat indoors. I do that with my two and they do very well. I have a friend that does this for me; however, there are professional, insured, bonded pet sitters out there. Would that make you feel better about taking a vacation?

 

[Gigi22]

Can you find a reputable cat sitter in the time available? We acquired a cat sitter through a referral earlier this past year, and it has really been great for us. I no longer feel guilty about boarding our cats. Our sitter came with excellent references and is fully bonded. Her company charges per call, depending on the number of cats you have. The sitter comes to your house, feeds and gives your pets water, cleans out the litterbox, grooms the cats, plays with them, and gives any medications required. Our sitter also brings in the newspaper and mail, waters houseplants, and will raise and lower blinds, adjust curtains and so on to give your house a more lived-in look while you are absent.

 

[7165red]

Yrs. ago I had a pet sitter and it didn't work out very well. We found a very good kennel and reserve a penthouse suite and they are good people. As far a my other cat I can't leave her alone in the house without someone checking on her. I just wish I could tell her it's just a wk. and I'll be home. I have thought of everything.

 

[Pakey]

I don't understand why you can't leave the one in the house and have someone come in twice a day to feed and change the water, clean a litter box?

I have a severely damaged rescue dog that will not let anyone touch him or get near him. So when we go on vacation, we shut all the doors to bedrooms, laundry, etc and I have someone come in twice a day to put food out for him and change his water (he has a doggie door for his personal business). I have a lights on a timer so he's not alone in the dark.

The sitter never comes close to him. Comes in, washes the water bowl and puts it out. Puts out his food (which is premade and bagged for the sitter)and leaves quickly. She doesn't linger or try to engage him.

It's not easy to leave him but I, too, want to vacation. I tell myself that his concept of time is not the same as mine; he doesn't actually count days. It helps a bit.

 

[walkerag]

Yrs. ago I had a pet sitter and it didn't work out very well. We found a very good kennel and reserve a penthouse suite and they are good people. As far a my other cat I can't leave her alone in the house without someone checking on her. I just wish I could tell her it's just a wk. and I'll be home. I have thought of everything.

You may consider asking if anyone at your veterinary clinic pet sits. I used to when I worked as a vet assistant and I already had a "relationship" with the pet and owner. They will be experienced in dealing with a nervous cat and usually take the extra time to make sure they are comfortable, stay and pet them for a bit and talk to them, or at least I always did

 

[DisneyBamaFan]

... I just wish I could tell her it's just a wk. and I'll be home...

Tell her - according to my wife, our cat understands her when she talks to it.

 

[Katieinwonderland]

I just wish I could tell her it's just a wk. and I'll be home.

Erm...I tell my cats where I'm going and when we'll be home

When we go on vacation I tell them where we'll be going, I explain who the cat sitter will be, tell them when we'll be home, tell them to be good...I've also been known to show the cats pictures of the cat sitter and where we're going in case they wonder. DH thinks I'm insane but it makes me feel better!