Catterys in your area - any summer availability?!?

[chalkyc2]

I have an elderly but sprightly tabby cat - he will be 18 this year. I've never had a problem slotting him into our local cattery. He's always gone to the cattery as we don't have a cat flap and he wouldn't ever come back for a cat sitter. He's an outdoor cat. He only loves us (and not very much).

Then early this year the cattery shut - new legislation making it unviable apparently. Now I can't get him in anywhere near us for a week in August. I've emailed and called over 20 places this afternoon - all full.

Is this normal? Have I just been lucky up till now?!? Nightmare!

I book mine a year in advance for the summer. As soon as I have the dates for the next year. My colleague was trying for over a year to get her cat in.

Omg. Right I totally need to rethink! I can't believe I've been so spoiled!

I’ve employed a (v responsible) university student to have a ‘2 week holiday’ here, at my house. But, we have multiple animals… I found her through my daughter who is a friend of hers but we also looked at a site called Pawshake which had lots of similar people on. We do prefer care ‘at home’ though. Just an option if you can’t find a good cattery 😊

Honestly I would be fine with this but the ridiculous animal would move out at the first sight of a stranger in the house and not return! He disappears even if we just have guests and are here ourselves....🐈‍⬛

You see how disgruntled he is. He has got soppy in his old age....

It's not just one cattery closing it is the massive increase in pet ownership. 2019 - 23% of households had a pet in 2021 - 60% of households had a pet this has slightly slipped, but there is a shift now towards cats rather than dogs. All this puts more pressure on the fewer boarding places.

Catteries, kennels and home boarding all book up about a year in advance around here. I do house sitting and that books up too - it's crazy how much pet ownership has exploded in recent years.

Wev had this once yes, I did manage to get her in our normal place for two days after we went away and my dad had to look after her till then and take her (poor bugger she's a NIGHTMARE to get in the carrier). We went away beginning of March and I booked that in December and when I took her I've booked her in for the next two holidays I've got booked later this year. Honestly, they get so busy I was thinking it would be a great business to start if I wasn't in such a built up residential area.

Do you have a family member like an older niece or nephew who would house/cat sit that you could start getting the cat use to now?

My long suffering parents might have to move in. At least it will be summer so can leave the door open and he can sneak in and out. If he goes to them he basically spends the week hiding behind a bookcase.

Yep. Our hugely popular and incredibly caring cattery was forced to close by the new regulations. So ill thought out. Lovely wooden, large, outdoor runs, not deemed suitable any more. They couldn't afford to update.

We have an agreement with a group of neighbours and close friends now, we all cover one another when needed. Tbh, it's also nice having someone come in once a day as well.

Yes ditto @KnittedCardi - the old cattery was out in a field and loads of space. The lady who ran it was in her 60s and just couldn't face all the upheaval.

It's certainly made me think about future pet ownership when mr 18-yrs-old in June finally leaves us. We've clearly been lucky up till now.