Cattery Expectations

[PinkSparklyPussyCat]

DH and I were talking about occasionally using a cattery rather than our cat sitter when we go away. It's cheaper and we'll know exactly where he is but why do I feel awful at the thought of doing it to him? We're going to look at one on Sunday and even the thought of leaving him away from home with people he doesn't know makes me want to cry.

If we decide to go down the cattery route are my expectations unrealistic (these are on top of the must have a sneeze barrier, must be heated etc):

He must have his usual food (I'm happy to supply)
He must be allowed to have his own bed and toys
I need to be able to phone or email to check he's OK

I wish I'd had some recommendations as loving as this before I last went away - we have a lovely cat sitter but if she is unavailable it would be great to have a recommendation as good as these! We are in Hampshire (close to Surrey border) if anyone has any recommendations....;)

I was so cross with mine the first time I put him in a cattery, he was dropped off and I wasn't a bit worried about him.

Mine are currently in a very nice cattery - loving people, daily emails and pictures, lots of space, their own bedding, cat food the same as home.

I hate it.

I came out after dropping them and sobbed in the car for 20 minutes. Haven't cried like that in decades. In fact I'm only lurking around The Litter Tray because I'm thinking about them and feeling horrible about it.

I use a lovely cattery. My boys a wimp timid little thing. He hates everybody bar me and DP. A cat sitter would stress him out and I'd worry he'd run off. At least in a cattery I know he can't go anywhere. Not a problem now as he knows the cattery ladies now and is comfortable enough to merrily trot out when he arrives for fuss and treats, which is totally unlike him. They get let out for play time each day for a little run.

I take his own food and bed along and have emailed to check up on him before Plus, when he gets home he's always on his best behaviour for at least a week I have used a not so good cattery once, you could just tell there was no interest or interaction with the cats at all. Didn't go back to them!!

I've not put mine in a cattery due to their background. But I would if they were out door cats. Because I wouldn't be able to relax unless I knew where they were. My cat sitter runs a cattery and is a gem. Their recent illnesses have made me so anxious about them, that in some ways I'd rather have them in a cattery where there is someone around more. But I know they are happiest at home though.