He's in the cattery for a maximum of 7 nights about 2-3 times a year.
I thought I found a good cattery, but I don't know if I'm fussy (perhaps you could confirm this), but when I collected him this last time one morning (he's been placed there 5 times), his litter tray was dirty, the environment was cold and they've started to put a tin on the counter for 'tips' from customers, which I thought is a little 'pushy'. Also, when I emailed them this time round asking if they'd room for my cat over Christmas, they didn't answer my email, which is bad for business for them.
Am I too fussy or should I find another cattery?
Answer:
Anonymous: For a cat... I would leave him at home. Seven days is a little long to leave him, but the alternative of a cattery or hiding from a cat sitter... just isn't worth it to me. I've left my cat for 5 days at most. She has multiple water dishes and food in several dishes around the house. I leave the radio on to comfort her. She was raised with a constantly full food dish so she is accustomed to feeding at will (she is healthy and active and not overweight, there are no other cats in the home so she isn't fighting for food and over ingesting), and is also a 100 % indoor cat. So your cat has to be accustomed to that beforehand or she/he will overeat and eat all the food in one day (lol) and if not an indoor cat, will freak out being indoors all that time
Kai: Ok, I'm a bit too late but...hire a cat sitter that comes in every day to refresh his food and water, and to clean the box. Doesn't matter if the cat hides. What is needed is a cat friendly person who will see to his needs during your absence, and who can make sure nothing "bad" is happening to your cat. Make sure the person has a lot of cat experience, is reliable (hopefully with recommendations you can check).
Often they will also bring in your mail so it doesn't pile up (indicating you haven't been home) and newspapers if you have them delivered daily, mine even waters plants if I ask them to. A pet sitter can go in and if he/she sees the cat has vomited or has diarrhea or anything else, he/she can hunt down the cat and check him over, take him to the vet if necessary.
Or if your home gets too cold the sitter can turn on the heat for an hour or so while he/she goes about doing his job to at least heat the place up a little. If you've left a window open, the sitter can close it should the weather get too cold or wet; if the weather turns blazing hor, he/she can crack open a window a bit to get some air in. Etc.
That's why you want someone to come in every day, just to make sure things look right. If the cat is friendly, the sitter gets to pet the cat for a while. If the cat isn't friendly or hides, the sitter can just sort of check around to see if he/she can find the cat just to say "hi" with no further interaction--the visit would mostly be for food/water/litter purposes.
Stephanie: is this a cultural thing? a cattery in the US is a breeding facility. anyway, if anything has made you uncomfortable about your boarding situation, look for another. you want peace of mind that your little furry friend is as safe and comfortable as possible. i put my dogs in a facility that has a camera in their run that i can access 24/7 via my smart phone.
Sebby: Well, if it were my cat, I would try to find another cattery that is cleaner and more sterile. The last thing I'd want for my cat is for her to get sick! But of course, it's completely up to you.
Lakelady: It sounds as though they stopped caring. That may (probably does) extend to the animals. If it were I, I would find another place.
