Cat Sitters

[EvianBaby]

I'm going away (probably) for a week in June and I'm not sure what to do about the cat.

I've never left him on his own for more than a few days (with brother coming in to feed him) and I can't think of anyone I know who I could get to move in to my house for a week.

Putting him in a cattery is out of the question.

What does everyone else do with their pets when they're away?

[EvianBaby]

All he does is eat and sleep. With frequent attacks on anything passing in between.

Yes, I'm pathetic about my cat. The longest he's been on his own is three nights. And it made me cry. There you go, I've been forced to admit what a t**t I am.

[boxtops]

My neighbour comes in - twice a day - feed, quick pat, pick up mail - then I do the same for her. Much better to leave beasties in their own home, No1 Son's too neurotic for a cattery. They are selfish beasts even though they love you - as long as they are fed, they don't mind who does it.

[bednobs]

aww evian you big softie!

[EvianBaby]

Replace softie with loser.

That's what I think Box, better in their own surroundings.

[ladybirder]

Are you going abroad Evian, like no chance of taking him with you?

Are you anywhere near Brighton?

[EvianBaby]

Going to France.

My other brother said I could take my cat to theirs in Grantham so their cat sitter would look after him at the same time but one of us would end up without a cat. And I'd have to sit in a car for 2 hours with that horrible meowing sound.

[EvianBaby]

Oh, sorry, also I'm in Aylesbury so not very near Brighton.

[mrs.chappie]

Is there any way you could pop back home, mid-week, just to give the puss a bit of affection and check that he's okay?

OH and I have done this many times (though obviously, not to your cat). One of us has popped back home every other day. It does of course mean that you can't go on holiday 100s of miles away, but it's worked for us.

[mrs.chappie]

Oops, sorry Evian, just noticed you're going to France.

Scrap my last post. :o)

[islasmum]

I have an animal sitter if I'm going away - I used to work as one up to a few years ago, and think that if you use a reputable agency, or ask your vet
if he knows someone in your area, it's nicer for your cat to stay in his home.

[lankeela]

I've seen it from both sides - I ran a kennels/cattery and when I left I set up a pet sitting business (in the eighties before such things were common) as I met lots of people who didn't really want to leave their animas but there was no alternative. The security aspect of the house is a bonus, with lights being on and someone closing curtains and picking up post. From the animals point of view, they are usually quite happy in their usual routine and as long as they get fed they are quite happy to sleep most of the time. However, if I was going for more than a couple of days I would always put mine in a kennels or cattery, for peace of mind, as I have known pets go missing while the owners were away and you have to trust that the person does what they are supposed to do.