Thread: Any advice on boarding cats?

Just being nosey, where is the cattery? Just in case we go away next year, oh they joys of a small baby and the OH setting up his own business!

Thanks - I feel a little better now . I sort of figured they'd settle in ok as they're all over any visitors we have at home like a shot (bordering on intimidation for my poor dad at times as Shadow loves to wash his bald head while Sunshine bites his fingers!!).

Would love to take them to Cornwall - our other cats loved it there - it always felt like we'd taken them to their 'spiritual home' and actually we're taking their ashes there to scatter this year (lost them both a year ago almost ).

The cattery's Quintessential Quarters in Cotes Heath, Staffordshire - good testimonials on the website and the cats who were there when we visited looked happy, everything was clean/tidy etc...it felt right apart from them not having as much space as at home etc etc

When I looked for a cattery I asked my vet , he gave me the name of a great place "Wiswell Cattery" (Lancs) the owner and staff are brilliant, I usually take a brush with me and they give the gang a brush, I always ask for my 3 to be kept together ,I figure that way there is less stress, there is no problem as she has a couple of family pens which will take up to 5 .
As far as conditions go let your eyes, heart and nose be your guide, ie if it looks ok feels ok and smells ok then you should be ok.
If they don't have the type of food or biscuit you use then ask if they can get it or take some of yours, also a couple of toys from home or a blanket that smells of home and you, will help them settle. Enjoy your hols and don't forget a nice bag of prawns will get you lots of brownie points when you get back home. Hope this helps.

Janie B...Have you got any advice you could offer a person who wanted to take their cats on holiday with them?! ANy tips would be gratefully received.

Originally Posted by Bethy_boo

Janie B...Have you go Have t any advice you could offer a person who wanted to take their cats on holiday with them?! ANy tips would be gratefully received.

We were lucky and our 2 travelled really well. We started them early -a year old. How ever much they meow, don't let them out of their travel crates when in the car! One of ours got under the seat and wouldn't come out. One time it was so hot and we thought they wanted a drink - they didn't - they sort of shut down till they get there when they're fine! I've read lots of advice about not feeding them after travel - in my experience our 2 were starving and thrived on eating after a 4 hour journey. They always demanded it!

As for settling into the cottage - one of them was into everything straight away and the other hid for a few days the first year. We let them do what they wanted to do. They were indoor cats so were happy enough inside the cottage and seemed to know their boundaries. Every year after that (16 years!) we went back to the same place and it always seemed to feel like a 2nd home to them. They knew where they were as soon as they got there and settled right in straight away. We just had trouble getting them into the crates to take them home then! They were such good cats . I'd say let them do their own thing, don't fuss over them too much when travelling and settling in - once they're ok that's the time to make a fuss of them. Not sure our 3 new coonies would be quite so well behaved!

Originally Posted by Bethy_boo

Janie B...Have you got any advice you could offer a person who wanted to take their cats on holiday with them?! ANy tips would be gratefully received.

We're heading to Devon for a week at the end of August with our two Coonies for the first time - so I'll keep you posted as to how we get on! Bethy-Boo, thanks for the advice about not letting them out of their carriers - I'm pretty sure that Monty will settle straight away but Gracie can be really vocal so I'll remember that tip - don't think hubby will be too impressed with a contortionist cat under the seat halfway down the A303!!!