What if the autofeeder malfunctions? ...kitty go hungry!

Please reconsider and have your friend (or another pet sitter) come to your
home every day.  I also feed my cats twice a day, and I have a pet sitter
who comes to the house twice a day.  It is well worth the expense to make
sure my twosome are safe, and also to give them some companionship.

I know many people make arrangements similar to what you suggested, and
their cats are usually safe.  However, think of the possibilities if
something goes wrong -- an emergency can happen at any time, and a two-day
wait could be critical.

MaryL

Photos of Duffy and Holly:      >'o'<
Duffy:  http://tinyurl.com/cslwf
Holly:  http://tinyurl.com/9t68o
Duffy and Holly together:  http://tinyurl.com/8b47e
Recent pics:  http://tinyurl.com/clal7

Have her (or somebody) come every day. If possible, find at least one
other friend, so they can share this duty, be one another's back ups,
and nobody would have to be overburdened.

Maybe ask them to leave the TV on (without sound) and some classical
music station if you have one (at soft volume), and make sure the place
is properly climate controlled and ventilated.

The one I had been looking at was the Pet Mate C50
http://www.animalsource.co.uk/index.asp?function=DISPLAYPRODUCT&productid=1035

I just did a search and all the websites I found were in the UK, but I
know they're available in the US.  Last summer I found one at a
PetSmart in Minneapolis.

I have not actually used one, though, so this is not a recommendation,
just a suggestion.