cattery experiences

Re: cattery experiences

Helen Freer — Thu, 03 Jun 2010 18:09:03 GMT

[quote user="Doolally"]

Pens are about 2.5ft x 4ft, there's an elevated sleeping quarter which is about a metre off the floor accessed by a ramp, about 2ft x 2ft with a little window. Floor is concrete, mesh walls, with one side looking into corridor and other side looking onto garden, sneeze barriers up. Does this sound about normal?

[/quote]

This seems a bit small to me, as min. size for:

one cat is 9 sqft sleeping and 18 sqft exercise area

2 cats together is 16 sqft sleeping and 24 sq ft exercise area

are licence conditions as applied to my cattery (from model licence conditons). But each local authority can apply its own rules and requirements to interpret the animal boarding establishment act 1963.

Catteries are all different especially if you live on the borders of differnet local authoritites and it is finding one to suit you and your cats.

What you really want is peace of mind, that your cats are safe, feed, looked after and not overly stressed and if they need medical treatment taken to the vets. This can either be at a cattery or if you can find someone you can trust who will look after them at home then that also could be the best place for them. Especially if the sitter/ visitor is someone they aready know, so reducing the stress of a stranger coming into the house.

I hope this helps

Helen

Re: cattery experiences

Phrin Vernon RVN — Wed, 02 Jun 2010 23:49:38 GMT

I must admit that my experience of catteries is pretty limited - I have seen 3, 2 of which were attached to the vets I worked at.

Both the vet ones were completely indoors, pens of approx 6ft x 5ft with raised, heated sleeping areas, and sneeze barriers. I have happily used both of these catteries for my kitties whilst working at the adjoining vets, and kitties came back none the worse for wear.

The other one (where I boarded my kitty whilst on hols when out of practice), had a slightly larger pen, split into two, with an internal house door inbetween (left permenantly open). Again there was a raised, heated sleeping area, but they also put objects in there such as dining chairs (the idea being to try and create a 'house' environment), and there was a cat sized 'mouse hole' in the wall between the two partitions. All of the pens had windows looking out onto fields, some also had outdoor pens. Sneeze barriers also. But was also a fair bit more pricey! Noticed no difference in kitties stress levels etc when they returned home, although I am sure they preferred the posher surroundings The posh one was FAB accredited. To my knowledge, the vet ones aren't but they did offer the advantage of on site veterinary care if needed.

Hope that helps!

Re: cattery experiences

loopylou711 — Wed, 02 Jun 2010 23:49:00 GMT

I was going to put my 3 ina cattery when we went away but it is soo expensive!! We have a cat sitter, she comes for half an hour a day feeds them, changes their litter box and of cours plays with them! I think for 2 weeks we were 7 a visit, so for 2 weeks about £100. we paid a bit extra for a few extra visits aswell just randomly to give them company, and had friends pop round now and again too!! Much prefer it to a cattery, also means someone is in the house daily too!!

Re: cattery experiences

Polly P — Wed, 02 Jun 2010 22:42:44 GMT

That sounds about normal for the sleeping/ hiding bit, but most (or maybe not most- but the ones I have seen) catteries also have an 'outdoor' enclosed mesh area on each kennel for the cats.

Also, I know loadssss of vet nurses who also do pet sitting for extra funds, have you thought about getting a feeder/ sitter in? Thats what I always do with mine (or did until I got fabulous neighbours) works out the same price or actually less than a cattery, particularly if you have more than one cat. My cats would hate a cattery, or anything other than their home.