We consider our pets as part of the family not to be tossed
aside. If someone cannot house sit or at least visit at least
once a day, then the doggie or kitty hotel is considered. If I
have the money to travel, then I have the money for boarding
fees. When we travel in the RV, Miss Mimi our DASHT goes with
us. It was the same when we had out Yorkies.

Leanne

So ask a friend who does have pets.

Why would you consider giving your cat away?

Why would you consider this?

Sounds to me as though you need to educate yourself when if comes to kennel
care.

The majority of cat kennels have certain requirements. If they didn't they
would be out of business pretty fast.

I've left my cat at a cat kennel for up to 21 days. She left there with no
problems apart from the fact that she wasn't happy about leaving as she was
having a good time there. A reputable kennel has a criteria when it comes to
cats and their health.

On Fri 14 Jan 2005 08:15:46p, Ablang tittered and giggled, and giggled and
tittered, and finally blurted out...

Items 2 and 3 are NOT options!

If a friend, relative, or neighbor cannot be found to care for your cat,
then the only alternative is boarding and, preferably, at a cattery and not
at a general kennel.

IMHO, it's also preferable for your cats to be cared for in the home they
live in, visited by the caregiver for feeding and watering, litter
changing, and some playful company.

Since we have 4 cats, having the caregiver spend significant time with them
is not as important.  One cat by itself should probably be given additional
visiting time.

Wayne

When I go out of town I have a cat sitter who comes in to the house.

She feeds the cats, gives them some love, cleans the litter box,
brings in the newspaper, takes in the mail, puts on some lights,
turns off others, etc.

One of the advantages is I know this woman already, she worked
for years for my vet.  

At $15/visit I look at as a good way to take care of my cats
in my absence and to keep an eye on them.  

Another option is, to find someone to come in each day and check on the cat,
give food, change litter, etc. This could be a professional 'house-sitting'
or 'pet-sitting' service, that advertises and/or is recommended by your vet.

It should be someone familiar with that kind of animal.

Margaret

those who can do nothing for him."

Shelter?

Are you f.cking kidding me?

Take the cat to a cattery, forget the garbage 2,3.

Go and look at the place first, if its smelly, filthy and full of
unhappy animals, then leave.

As another option, you should ask your vet.

My vet does cat boarding in-house, and the price was VERY reasonable.
An added advantage too is that if the animal gets sick, there is an
expert on hand to attend to them immediately.  I would try asking your
vet, as I think most would do this for one of their clients anyway.

I think the potential for illness is greater in your absence as the
cat can be stressed, or otherwise have its routine and life turned
upside down by your absense - including being removed from its normal
home, routine,  being looked after by strangers, different foods etc.

Friends are OK, but the problem you have is that no matter how well
you know the friend or how reliable they are - they could be taken
ill, die, have a family emergency happen that drags them away from
town at short or no notice - then days later they remember they were
supposed to be feeding your cat etc.  For this reason I would try and
find 2-3 friends to take it in turns, and ensure that a good amount of
dry food and water is always left there just in case.

There is only one option. See that the cat is cared for properly or stay
home. I have been in this situation several times. When my cat was
younger, I had a neighbor look in on my cat every other day. Now that my
cat is a senior citizen, I pay $12 a day and I have my cat boarded at my
vet's kennel. A good kennel will not put your cat at risk or getting
worms or any other problem like that.

On Fri, 14 Jan 2005 19:15:46 -0800, Ablang
<HilaryEverAfter@ablang-duff.com>

Not good because it's a purebred?  Who are you thinking of?  You or your
4-footed family member?

But it's a purebred, eh?

Let's see.  $8 times 21 days = $168.

How much will your hotel/lodging cost on your trip?

If you can't bring yourself to spend $168 on your cat, but you can
afford to take a 3 week vacation, you shouldn't own a cat.

I get a nurse from the vet to come in and feed him, change his litter tray
and administer his medicine, you'd be surprised if you ask around who will
help you out, it's not too expensive and I know he's happy when I come home
as the nurses are very kind.

those who can do nothing for him."