What do I with my cat?

Question

For the first time in years we are looking forward to a holiday this year.
The trouble is, my neighbour, who always fed our cat has recently moved away due to a sudden bereavement.
I dont have anyone to feed the cat.
I cant afford a cattery, he doesnt have his injections anyway as he is too traumatised to go in a basket...very nervous cat.
My new neighbours hate cats and there isnt anyone who lives nearby who I would trust with my front door key to feed him. No access to garden apart from house.
I live on the outskirts of town and friends are just that bit too far away to ask to come every day.
I know its a long shot but any ideas please?

deadman...do you know how much animal shelters charge for animals these days, it would be cheaper to put him in a cattery, if he was still there when we got back that is.

gary, the birds even eat the seed sitting 3 feet from him, he is the least scarey cat Iin the world!

Forgot to mention, he's an outside cat. Would go mad cooped up all week.

jacthedog, First holiday in years didnt you read properly? If I cancel now I will lose hundreds. Are you gonna tell 3 kids they cant go?

To everyone else going on about non vaccination, He was ALWAYS vaccinated until 6 years ago when he was in an RTA and had to spend time in the vets. He IS also insured! Since then HE WILL NOT GET IN A BASKET. 3 People wearing garden gloves cant get him in, and one of them is a vet! PLease dont judge til you know the details.

Answer 1

Sorry, but it is not caring or wise to keep an 'outside' cat.

He's probably nervous due to the many threats that any animal encounters outside on an almost daily basis. It would be a long shot to call this animal a pet.

This animal should be trapped and sent to a shelter, to get his vaccinations, and to see if there's any way that he could be rehabilitated for another family. That in itself is a 'long shot' as well. I'm certain you won't agree, but you'll have a difficult time proving me wrong on this.

Answer 2

Is it possible to take the cats with you where you are going?

What about a dog walker? See if you can find one that family or friends have used often and trust, they can come in and feed them, it is usually cheaper than cattery boarding. Since he's an outdoor cat, there's no need for them to go into your house or have a key, just take the food to the person, you can divide it up into zippy bags and leave enough, they can just bring it with them when they come and aren't lugging big bags around. Or can you put it in a container under a step or something so other animals can't get into it and whoever is feeding him can access it without the key?

Is there a family member you could ask to come and feed them while you're away?

Answer 3

This may be a long shot, but some vet nurses very often do house calls for people when they go on holiday or even just at work. My vets nurses does, they only charge £5 per visit, no matter how long they need to be there. Being someone from the vet, it may give your cat a little more comfort seeing them in his own environment, rather than the environment at the vets when he had his RTA.

I have got a couple of ideas to help out with water and food, but it may mean spending a few extra pennies. For water you can buy a system for about £40, and it attachs to the electricity, you fill up a section with water and the water will continually flow until the water empties, which happens about every 5 days. So the cat is getting a constant supply of fresh(ish) water because it flows it does not get stagnet. For food you can buy timed meal dishes, get a couple of these then at least you know he will have a continual supply to biscuits. So even if you need to ask friends, coming everyother day your cat will be fine.

If you ask your vet they will know of who to ask, sometimes the Blue Cross are more than happy to help.

Oh one more thing, about your vacation, you go for it, even with animals we all need holidays, and you are being a wonderful owner because you have asked for advice. I have known people to put down a box of food, one bowl of water and left there animals for 2 weeks. So remember ask your vet for help, and most importantly enjoy your holiday.

Hope you get someone to look after your cat. :-)

Answer 4

Have you tried looking up cat sitters in your area? They'll be in Yellow Pages, etc.
They come in once or twice a day, at your request, and feed your cat, and play with it, and change the litter tray. This is much cheaper than a cattery, and the cat doesn't get upset by a massive change in his routine. We have used cat-sitters before, and they've been very reliable. Make sure you see their certifications to do this work, and references, before hiring.

Alternatively, ask around your friends and family for a cat sitter to come and stay at your house whilst you're on holiday, and pay them a nominal amount.

I think that leaving your cat outside or inside with limited food and water is exactly the wrong thing to do. If you did this to one of your children, it would be counted as abuse; why wouldn't it be any different if it were your cat??

Answer 5

I know people are going on about the vaccinations but seriously if you are letting your cat outside you should have him vaccinated. That is like having a child and never bothering getting him registered with a doctor!! My mums cat is that has panic attacks and wets himself when he is a basket because he gets himself that worked up but she still takes him to the vets to get wormed and his jags because she knows she has to - they dont even take him out at the vets because he freaks out that much and attacks them when getting his worming tablet - they just give an injection through the bars of the cage. As a fellow cat owner who is on a very low income I feel I have the right to judge someone who is putting their cats life at risk!

I took my cat to a cattery at christmas time and it was about £7 a day, although my cat really didnt enjoy being away from home and me.

I know you live on the outskirts of town but could you not offer one of your friends petrol money to come out once a day and feed him fresh food. You could get them to give him cat biscuits and then just one sachet of meat per day because the biscuits wouldnt go off like food.

Answer 6

You could search the net in your area for a cat sitting service where you would have to pay someone to take responsibility for your animal, although it shouldn't cost as much as a cattery. That's the only solution I can think of, although obviously, you would have to give them your keys. Otherwise, you're just going to have to cancel your holiday as it would be downright cruel to just leave your cat in the house. Incidentally, if your cat goes outside, you really should have it vaccinated even if he doesn't like baskets - it's more traumatising getting feline leukaemia, feline aids or chlamydia.

Answer 7

Hi chick - when I was last at the vets with my 2 monsters, there were a few notices up for people to come in and 'cat sit' so this could be your best bet as your kitty wont go in a basket (from experience with my old family cat, I know where youre coming from with this!). if youre not within easy distance of a vet then look on yell.com for local vets and ring round a few as Im sure theyd be able to help. If youd like any more info, let me know as my vets only down the road from me! :O) Cheers, Bex x

Answer 8

Try and see if there is someone who does pettsitting in your area that can come to your house each day. Call your vet or local humane society and see if they have recommendations. Yes, it's a little scary to hand over your key to someone you just met, but often retired folks do it as a way to make extra income and they rely on repeat business and good recommendations, so it is rare to have problems. They can also check your mail, keep an eye on your property, bring in newspapers and water plants. So if anything, your home will be more secure. thye will aqlso get your kitty vet care if something should come up. They may charge you a bit more for the longer drive, but your cat will be well-cared for in its own home.

Answer 9

The only thing you can do is pay extra for a vet to come to your house and give the cat the vaccine. Then, you have to pay to board the cat. Or, you can find a pet sitting service and have them come to your house. You are going to have to pay money one way or the other. Or, you will have to stay home. For you, there is no perfect answer.

Answer 10

i have 2 kittens and will be in the same situation in october, it will cost £200 to put them in a cattery so im going to pay my brother an his girlfriend £100 quid to stay at our house an cat sit for the fortnight. do you have a family member or close friend who can stay over while ur away??