catteries

[Lonelymum]

I am about to ring up some catteries with a view to boarding our kittens over the Christmas period (I know, cruel cat mummy, but there you go). I have never used a cattery before. Can anyone tell me what the conditions are like in a cattery and how much does it cost to board 2 cats? Just so I know what to expect before I ring. Also, is it usual to go and inspect the cattery first or would I appear over protective if I did that?

[gigglinggoblin]

i assume they have had all their jabs? cattery will want to see evidence. they tend to be fairly small cages, usually about 4 feet square ime. they then have a sort of big shelf half way up the wall so the cat hsa 2 storeys. the one i used cost £4 per night for one cat in a cage, £6 for 2 sharing. i didnt inspect, felt silly asking. however both the boys wanted to and had to come with us to check they would be ok

[Lonelymum]

Yes they have had jabs but they haven't been spayed yet, but that wouldn't matter would it because they wouldn't be in contact with other cats would they? They are brothers so will definitely share, but 4 foot square doesn't sound much. They do have soiling problems (don't always use the litter tray, damn them): would I have to tell them that or wouldn't it matter too much? Are they outside?

[RTKangaMummy]

we use 2 one in herts and one in sussex.

The sussex one is lovely our 2 share a cage with an outside run and a little house with a shelf for their cushion which they take with them to sleep on.

The sussex one uses wood shavings/sawdust for litter and also has a tree trunk in each of the runs for a straching post -- which we think is a deffo brill idea

The herts one uses cat litter granules

both catteries feed FELIX - which our 2 have at home - you get a price reduction if you provide different food

Another cattery we looked at just had 1 handful of litter in the tray which IMHO is AWFUL and cruel to the cats and very mean if they are charging for them to stay there

You get a 10% reduction for 2 cats in a double pen

1 cat = £4.50 per day

Houses are heated and is 12' by 6'

[Lonelymum]

Thanks for that RTKM. It is presumably normal then to check them out before using them?

[alibubbles]

Message withdrawn

[littlerach]

We looked at the one we use before agrreing to it. The woman seemed to think we'd be mad not to.

[shimmy21]

Ours is £4.50 a day for 1 cat. Check out the cage size because some catteries have them in little rabbit hutch type boxes with a litter tray at one side and a bed at the other not.Others have runs usually with a shelf and a little house that the cat can feel secure in. (Much better than the rabbit hutch style). If they are a reasonable place they will offer you a choice of food types for your cat or you can supply your own if you are using kitten food. And yes they should be happy for you to visit.

[shimmy21]

didn't mean the 'not' in the middle of my message

[Lonelymum]

I have rung one up. Unfortuantely, I missed hearing the charge as ds3 was talking to me at that precise moment, but I did hear it was double for Xmas day and Boxing Day (when we want to board the kittens) so I guess I am looking at quite a bit of money. The cage sounds as good size but she said they have access to the outside run via a cat flap - well mine have never tried a cat flap before (we haven't got one yet) so I am not sure if they will be able to get out.

She did say they feed them whatever they are fed on already which I suppose is a good idea, but they only feed them twice a day whereas my kittens are still on 3-4 meals a day. Do you think I should wean them off that now? They are 5 months old and will be 6 months by Xmas (obviously!)

[RTKangaMummy]

alibubbles will CAT you details but the sussex one is heaps better

[RTKangaMummy]

I guess you could ask the vet about weening and number of meals

[alibubbles]

Message withdrawn