Thread: Any advice on boarding cats?

Originally Posted by JanieB

We're boarding our 3 MCs for just over a week when we're on holiday in September. We used to take our previous 2 cats with us to Cornwall (for about 16 years!) but decided not to risk 3 lively MCs!! Don't think the car's big enough anyway! They'll be almost a year old then - litter mates, 2 girls and a boy (Sunshine, Shadow and Moonlight).

The cattery we've chosen is FAB registered, very modern, in the countryside - looks fantastic. We turned up unannounced and the owners were happy to show us around and we liked what we saw.

I can't believe just how affectionate and intelligent MCs are (not that our moggies weren't but you know what I mean) and I'm going to hate leaving them. I realise this is more about me feeling guilty, missing them etc but just wanted to get your thoughts.....? I'm worried they'll be 'different' when we get them back home and that the bond we have will change....any advice welcome

I never thought I would feel bad about putting a cat into the cattery but as you say there is something different about a MC,I used to feel guilty but no more.The place we use is very local to us which is lucky because I know if there is a problem my cat will go to where I work which is an added bonus,it is not now one of the newest in the area but I know its clean,warm & my cats get as much love & attention as they do here,Shimba helps Uncle Richard do the trays in the morning,yep you just bend down Uncle R & I will sit on your lap for headbutts & kisses,in the way am I let me just move round a bit,ah yes lot easier for those cuddles now,Merlyn is allowed out into the main corridors to help with brushing up & rolls over on his back for a few spins up & down,helps to shine everywhere,Bruce sits on the trolley & helps with the food round & then tells Auntie Gloria which one he fancies for his next meal,they are spoilt,spoilt,spoilt,Uncle R always goes & gets bigger carboard boxes for them to have outside in their play run,one of the local shops always knows when ours are going to stay because the week before he is asked to put away half a dozen larger ones.When we arrive there is always two pen doors open & the cats sort themselves out who goes where,they all know their boarding partners,they are groomed & in some cases where medication has been required that has all been given with no problems,when we go to pick them up they are not really that bothered at all about leaving,sometimes I think they are allowed to get away with more than at home,a bit like children going to stay at nans & getting spoilt,once home they revert straight back to normal although in his younger days Bruce did make me suffer for a few days,nope no kisses for you didn't want to go there,after a while though I found if I didn't do the oh poor boy bit I am so sorry & mum did miss you he came round a lot quicker & now doesn't try it on at all.They do take a few of their favourite toys & when one of them has been a bit poorly then I take that ones favourite bed but other than that they seem happy with what is provided for them.As Racheal-C says go off & enjoy your hols,bet your babes will have lots to tell you on your return...x

Thank you my mind's been put at ease. I'll miss them terribly though - I really can't believe how loving connies are - our 2 moggies were great (well one was a bit of a madam!!) - but these 3......so affectionate, clever, noisey, nosey, clumsy (Sunshine doesn't seem to know how to stop himself in time and often skids into the wall with a thump after thundering around! Hope he gets more finesse when he's older!!). I know you all know this but I'm just discovering their charm x

So true...charm in bucketloads. Since our 2 arrived last year we hardly ever go to the pub any more of an evening, at first because they were cute kittens, and now because we just love hanging out with them better than anything. We don't go on holiday, we only ever go away for a couple of nights to visit friends, and even then we miss them like mad. (my in-laws come round to feed/play with them).

Taking them on holiday to a cottage sounds wonderful! But I would worry about them escaping. I guess you'd have to be careful about doors and windows.

Best thing to think is THEY have gone on their hols. Having a break from us humans and our demands for love and attention.
Enjoy your hols also.

When we took Merlyn we packed the collapsable pen just in case but only used it to let him sit outside the front door first thing in the morning & say hello to passers by,the rest of the time he either sat on the different windowsills bird watching {feather kind} or came out in the garden with us on his harness.I think you are so tuned into keeping windows & doors closed that even while you are away it is a natural instinct,it normally takes us a couple of days to relax & not worry because the cats aren't there,first time someone leaves a door open panic mode sets in for a few seconds.....

Originally Posted by jckkerrison

When we took Merlyn we packed the collapsable pen just in case but only used it to let him sit outside the front door first thing in the morning & say hello to passers by,the rest of the time he either sat on the different windowsills bird watching {feather kind} or came out in the garden with us on his harness.I think you are so tuned into keeping windows & doors closed that even while you are away it is a natural instinct,it normally takes us a couple of days to relax & not worry because the cats aren't there,first time someone leaves a door open panic mode sets in for a few seconds.....

Yep, isnt it weird how we do that!!! anyone opens a door and the shout of "CATS" goes up.

Originally Posted by Carol ann

Yep, isnt it weird how we do that!!! anyone opens a door and the shout of "CATS" goes up.

Yep & have you also noticed that the cats normally just sit there looking very unconcerned"you expect me to go out there & meet up with strangers,no way"....