To leave cat home alone

[monkeyallen49]

Family holiday booked for end of August. Usually one of my family would look after our cat while we are away but this time we are all going.

We live rurally and my cat is old, mean and very much an outdoor borderline feral cat. He spends most of his time in the fields and woods around our house. He comes in to be fed then he's scratching to be out again. I'm toying with the idea of asking our neighbour to feed him while we're away and keep an eye on him but basically to leave him outside. With appropriate shelter of course. My only worry is that something happens to him and we're not there.

I honestly feel like putting him in a cattery at his age would be very distressing for him. He hates being inside never mind cooped up. Any suggestions?

Yes, I would, he'll be fine.
I leave my three for two nights, no bother, anymore and I do get someone to come in.

Do cat sitters exist?

Of course.

My son lives in Spain and they have very indulged house cats. When they go away anywhere, the humans not the cats, they have someone come to live in their flat for the whole period.

However, for your cat it sounds like having someone coming by to feed him and make sure he's happy and well is all that's needed.

I used to do this for my DD's cats when I lived near to her and they were absolutely fine.

Mine is now an old cat that walks round the garden twice a day

I’m away 2 weeks next year. My mother will come once a day. I asked my mum if better to have cat at her house, where we used to live, for the 2 weeks to make it easier for her

My mum said absolutely not it would stress the cat out far too much and she was happy to come round . The thought of my cat in kennel would I think destroy her and make her feel abandoned

Cat with shelter, place to escape and neighbour looking out and feeding absolutely fine