Dogs and Cats in Kennels?

Question

My daughter has had to put her dog in a kennel and cat in a cattery, its going to be for around 6 weeks, due to a house move going pear-shaped. She is not sure whether its a good idea to visit each w/e, as this may upset them when she leaves. Does anyone else have experience of this and any suggestions? No stupid answers please Im not in the mood!

Answer 1

My cat Prince She is from Spain I wanted to bring her to England and had to use the Pets Passports Scheme.
She could not enter England for 6 months after a successful rabies injection. I was still living in Spain for 3 of the 6 months.
I decided to find a Cattery over there rather than bring her to the UK after a 2 hour flight to go into quarantine.
Linda the owner of the cattery kept in touch with me via email to let me know how Prince was.
She was abandoned in a thunder storm and was tiny so she was a really nervous scared cat. She is never going to be one who sits on your knee. She was 6 weeks when I got her and she hardly ever cried or purred.
When she came into Manchester Airport after her 3 month in the cattery. The first thing she did was purr. It makes me emotional writing this. She was much more calmer and confident and fun loving a really change and came out of her shell as he had been loved, encouraged and played with in the cattery.
At Christmas we went on holiday and she was in another cattery in England. She hate going hates getting out of the box and sits all uncomfortable but soon she settled down and has a weeks holiday. When she came home she was very loving and happy to be home.
Like I said the cattery was fine for Prince and she is now well adjusted to England and happy and sweet.
All I say is put them in a recommended cattery or kennel. i think they should be OK at the same place you may even get a discount. Our cattery in the UK was recommended my next door but one and the vets. Out in Spain I did lots of research and I am happy Prince spent her time with Linda over quarantine as she has developed into a great character and never forgot i am her mummy thats why I would not have visited her I know animals are not like humans and i think dogs pine for their owners more than cats who are very independant but like I said Prince never forgot who I was. i would reccomend visits to find the correct place though. Drop me a line if you want to ask me anything
Sarah

Answer 2

Six weeks is a long time. You didn't mention whether this is the first time they have been boarded. My advice is that she shouldn't visit. It will be too confusing to her animals and other animals will bark at her (a stranger) causing further upset to her own animals. They may mope for a day or so, then they will settle into the kennel routine. If she is really unsure of how they will handle it, she can leave emergency numbers with the kennel so, if her animals have anxiety problems, the kennel operator can contact her. Otherwise, she can call the kennel occasionally to see how they are doing. Do not go in person. As a long-time kennel manager of my Mom's kennel (50 yrs. in operation), we tell first-time boarders when they send their animals to the kennel:

1.) If you will be boarding a long time, plan an "overnight" before you board for a long period of time so that the animal experiences going to the kennel and the reinforcement - within 24 hrs. - of you coming to get it. Then, when the longer stay is necessary, they will understand that they are only visiting for awhile, rather than anticipating abandonment, and will be more at ease. This is particularly important if she got the animals from a shelter.

2.) When you take the animals to the kennel, we instruct the owners to take an old t-shirt and wear it while working out, gardening or doing something that causes them to perspire. Don't wash the shirt; then send it with their pet. It will have your scent and will reassure the animal during its kennel experience.

Answer 3

Its going to be difficult. She'll fell guilty if she doesn't visit at all, but that may end up being the best solution.
She needs to ask the kennels. It may be that she can leave some scent articles for her pets, worn t-shirts are ideal. Seal them in plastic bags and take them a couple at a time. Give them familiar blankets and toys as well.
When they leave they'll be going to a new house, so need to be shown around and settled in. It would be best to go through house training from scratch, as sometimes dogs break housetrining after a long stay in kennels because they get out of the familiar routine and can go when and where they want!
At the new home I'd make a dog toilet area and mark it with 4 white planks or 4 white posts. I'd take the dog into the new house on the lead and put him into his dog basket. I'd then walk him on the lead into the garden and put him straight in the toilet, and wait with him.
If he went I'd reward him, then take him indoors, and repeat putting him on the lead and taking him to the loo on the hour for the first day.
Then on the second day I'd take him first thing in the morning, and then as often as he seemed to need to go. After he'd been to the loo I'd walk him around the garden on the lead, then take him back indoors. I'd have plenty of dog chews and expect him to settle in his bed. She's going to be busy getting the house sorted and all this will unsettle the dog, he may become clingy, o he may become aloof. He may actually ignore her for a day or two when he comes home!
I'd also walk him around the house on the lead for the guided tour! She'll find that helps to settle him in to his new home, instead of just dumping him there and expecting him to cope in a strange environment.
Because packing and moving is so traumatic for the dog, kennels is the right thing to do if you don't have a friend who can look after him.

Answer 4

It truly is best that she doesn't visit as it could upset the animal. She could ask the kennels and cattery though. At least if she did visit it would put her mind at rest on whether her animals are being cared for to her liking. I use kennels but I know mine very well - it's always worrying leaving them though.

Ask other pet owners which cattery and kennels they use, you best find one from word of mouth.

Answer 5

Although its difficult for your daughter its best she doesn't visit. Unfortuantely animals work on out of site out of mind principle and as long as they are being fed and cared for properly they'll settle down after a couple of days. However if your daughter keeps visiting at w/es they will have to keep going through the process of seperation again which is not fair on them.

Answer 6

i have never had to leave my cats and dog in a kennel for that long but if i was i wouldn't visit them. although it is hard as you would miss them this would just destress the animals are make it harder for them. they will still remember her when she picks them up and will be so happy to see her, they will forget it.
is there nowhere that they can stay like a friends house? this way they still have the luxsuries that will comfort them and she would be able to visit them moore easily.

good luck

Answer 7

I think if it was me I couldn't not visit them I have 2 cats and love them dearly. I suspect the pets would be more upset if she didn't go because they wouldn't understand where their owner had gone. I think that would make them pine more. Isn't there any chance a family member or friend could have them?

Answer 8

the best advice would be to ask the kennel owners - they will give the most sound advice
you prolly need to remind your daughter that dogs and cats' needs are different from people and that whiel they love us, it's not the same kind of love as people love.

Answer 9

hiya we moved a view weeks ago and had to do the same thing i visted them once a week and they was ok i felt that them seein me that they new they haddent been adbonded and new that they were comming home coz if you dont go on seee them they may think that u have left them and they will become sad and stressed vitit them thats the best way hope all goes ok carlie x

Answer 10

by all means visit! because if she doesnt they might feel as if they are abandoned! if at all possible see if shes aloud to take her dog out for a walk when she sees it, or the cat out for play for awhile that way they still know shes there and loves them!