cats going to cattery for 5 weeks - breaking my heart

[Fixmybike]

We're moving house next week and can't get into our new place until end Jan. Meanwhile staying with inlaws who already have a cat and can't take our two. I'm having to put them in a cattery for the next 5 weeks. They're not used to it - we always use neighbours when we go on holiday. One of my cats is disabled and spoilt rotten - sleeps with us in the bed! The other thrives on hunting outdoors. It's breaking my heart to have to do this. Please everyone tell me they'll be OK!

They'll be fine!!!

Can you go visit?

Can you visit them while they're in?

It's difficult to say how well they'll settle as all cats are so different. My mum works at a cattery, and the majority of cats, regardless of whether they are wild outdoorsy types or cuddle cats, do cope ok after a few days even if they make it clear they'd rather be at home! And quite a few of her regular customers actually enjoy being at the cattery as they get thoroughly spoilt by all the staff and love having a nosey at all the other cats.

If you can take their regular beds, a couple of their toys and a blanket that smells of you this will really help them. I'm not sure it'll help you though, gawd, I know how heartbreaking this must be for you .

What is the set up at the cattery? Will your cats be in the same pen together?

They will be in separate pens - unfortunately the well meaning second cat did not go down well with "only child" first one! Heated, thankfully, with this horrible cold spell.
I won't be able to visit, as foolishly chose somewhere close to the new house but miles from our temp home. Seems a nice place though.
Will be sure to take something smelling of us - was thinking of the pillow cases off the bed we are in now as won't have time to wash them between the last night at home and 8.30 when the movers arrive!
Thank you for the reassurance. I'm sure it will be me who suffers more than them. Hubby's already worried about my pregnancy hormones making the worst of it!

Pillowcases are a good idea, although be prepared for them to get pooed on, just in case! Otherwise towels are a good option, cosy too.

Also your cats will be in during January, which should be a pretty quiet month for the cattery, so once the Christmas rush is over your cats will be totally and utterly spoilt by the staff I'm sure. People who work in catteries get paid pittance (ask my mum), so you will find that most of them are there mainly because they really really love cats.

And don't feel silly about phoning the cattery to see how your babies are. My mum has clients who phone literally every day to make sure their cats are alright. Mind you, these are the same cats that come in with hand embroidered blankets with their name on it, and little portions of frozen fish...