Cattery recommendations near brighton

[Rhubarbgarden]

Hi, I've posted in the Local thread as well but it's pretty quiet in there, so please forgive me for posting here as well.

We are moving down to a village north of Brighton next week, and after being adamant that I wouldn't put our two cats in a cattery I have now done a U-turn and decided that actually it would probably be less traumatic for them than being in the house while the packers are emptying it and then being transported for an hour and a half in the car with screaming kids and stressed adults before then being locked in a strange room (or something ) while the packers unpack at the other end.

Can anyone recommend a good Sussex cattery that will mollycoddle my moggies? They are going to be so upset by the whole thing, I need to find somewhere lovely and I don't know where to start. They haven't been in a cattery since they were kittens, six years ago.

Thank you

You may already have some PMs Rhubarb but I didn't want your post to go unanswered.

I'm afraid that I don't know Sussex at all - but have you perhaps already got/can get from future neighbours (if you've made contact with them), the name of a local vet who you're going to use? They might be able to give you a name or two of any catteries which their people use. (I don't think they would be likely to actually recommend a cattery but just being given the details is usually tantamount to a recommendation.)

Best of luck with the move.

Sorry, I should have added.

You'll have thought long and hard about this - but keep on thinking is my advice. I've moved a number of times with cats and always handled it the same way to avoid too much disruption.

Put cats in box(es) and load car with boxes, trays and food bowls etc.

Get to new house ahead of movers (one adult only needed for this) and put cats in one (hopefully bare with no fireplaces or chimneys) room with trays, food and water.

Open cage doors and leave a rug or two around for sitting on if desired. Shut door and tape a big sign 'CATS - NO ENTRY' on door.

Leave them alone until movers gone and worst of furniture moving finished. (Any furniture for the room they're in can be piled somewhere else temporarily in the circumstances.) Resist all temptation to allow people in the room to 'see how they're doing'.

When things are a bit more settled, open room door and go back to your business - allowing them to peek out if they wish.

I wouldn't be too happy with putting cats in a cattery for this (and I think from your OP that you're not either) because it means yet another place for them to get used to for a short time - and you know how cats hate breaks in their routine and new places. There will be a lot of commotion for the move but if their door is closed in the new place and nobody is coming in the room, I really think they'll be a lot less stressed than having to go to a cattery and still have to be taken back in the next day or so to a new house. They'll still be hearing your voices and know you're around which will help.

Anyway - just musing. I'm sure you know what's best for your own cats.

I haven't had any pms, so thanks. I'll try local vets.

Thanks for the advice. You're right - I'm not too happy about the idea of putting them in a cattery. But it now looks like there is going to be a gap of a couple of weeks between houses, so we are faced with a tough choice of either moving to a very small one bed third floor flat with no lift and nowhere to keep a pushchair (got a baby and a toddler) that is also a toddler death trap, but where we could bring the cats with us (we usually rent this place out) OR find a holiday let that would be less of a nightmare but where we can't take the cats.

Just don't know what to do.

Ouch - difficult one. You obviously need to ensure that the DCs stay safe (and that you stay sane.)

From what you're saying, they'd have to have an interim place anyway - so I think much will depend on whether you can find a good cattery and what any holiday let might be like. Get some more information before you make a decision. (I recall that a poster recently posted that her cats virtually waltzed into their lovely cattery, they enjoy it so much.)

I'm not against catteries, there are some very good and caring ones around. Just that I know that without me, regardless of living circumstances, my particular boys would always have pined badly. Even took one on a touring holiday once - in the car! Your cats might be a lot more easy going.

I agree with you - some cats are fine in a cattery. One of mine would be very upset initially but then quickly deal with it and be absolutely fine (goldfish attention span). The other would be hugely traumatised and would take five years to forgive and forget. She's a sensitive soul.

www.coastwayvets.co.uk/petcare/brighton-cattery.aspx
These are excellent!

They do sound good.

Thanks! They sound great. Going to look at it on Saturday morning. They only have space for one week though - but we should know today or tomorrow whether we are dealing with a week or a fortnight, so fingers crossed...

Yep got vets sending me relevant certificates.

Best of luck - especially with the sensitive soul!

Thanks. I'm more stressed out about the cats' welfare than any other aspect of this move! And that's saying something - the whole thing is turning into a nightmare