Any advice on boarding cats?

We're boarding our 3 MCs for just over a week when we're on holiday in September. We used to take our previous 2 cats with us to Cornwall (for about 16 years!) but decided not to risk 3 lively MCs!! Don't think the car's big enough anyway! They'll be almost a year old then - litter mates, 2 girls and a boy (Sunshine, Shadow and Moonlight).

The cattery we've chosen is FAB registered, very modern, in the countryside - looks fantastic. We turned up unannounced and the owners were happy to show us around and we liked what we saw.

I can't believe just how affectionate and intelligent MCs are (not that our moggies weren't but you know what I mean) and I'm going to hate leaving them. I realise this is more about me feeling guilty, missing them etc but just wanted to get your thoughts.....? I'm worried they'll be 'different' when we get them back home and that the bond we have will change....any advice welcome

If it puts your mind at ease, we boarded ours for a week in June and I was really worried about leaving them, especially when Gracie just started quivering in the corner when we got to the cattery. When we came back a week later they had totally settled in and were completely unphased about being there. Lots of loving from them both when we got home and no lasting ill effects whatsoever :)

Have fun on your hols, and look on it as them having their own little mini holiday adventure - as soon as they realise they are still all together and will get lots of cuddles from the cattery maids who will oooh and ahhh about the 'wonderful coonies' they will be in their element!

no advice on catteries aside from what you have done already. if your gut feeling is good and its a FAB approved cattery, its probably pretty good. is there anyone you could ask whose cats have boarded there before?

as for MC's changing after being somewhere new, i cant speak for catteries but both times when my girts have gone to stud and stayed away for a week, their fab MC temprament has simply allowed them to settle well and be chilled. (unlike a lot of cats taken out of their home environment) and they were still MY babies when i collected them.

Or just go for it and bring them to cornwall :smile: tis the best little corner of the planet :winkwink:

Just being nosey, where is the cattery? Just in case we go away next year, oh they joys of a small baby and the OH setting up his own business!

Thanks - I feel a little better now :smile:. I sort of figured they'd settle in ok as they're all over any visitors we have at home like a shot (bordering on intimidation for my poor dad at times as Shadow loves to wash his bald head while Sunshine bites his fingers!!).

Would love to take them to Cornwall - our other cats loved it there - it always felt like we'd taken them to their 'spiritual home' and actually we're taking their ashes there to scatter this year (lost them both a year ago almost :sad2:).

The cattery's Quintessential Quarters in Cotes Heath, Staffordshire - good testimonials on the website and the cats who were there when we visited looked happy, everything was clean/tidy etc...it felt right apart from them not having as much space as at home etc etc

When I looked for a cattery I asked my vet , he gave me the name of a great place "Wiswell Cattery" (Lancs) the owner and staff are brilliant, I usually take a brush with me and they give the gang a brush, I always ask for my 3 to be kept together ,I figure that way there is less stress, there is no problem as she has a couple of family pens which will take up to 5 .
As far as conditions go let your eyes, heart and nose be your guide, ie if it looks ok feels ok and smells ok then you should be ok.
If they don't have the type of food or biscuit you use then ask if they can get it or take some of yours, also a couple of toys from home or a blanket that smells of home and you, will help them settle. Enjoy your hols and don't forget a nice bag of prawns will get you lots of brownie points when you get back home. Hope this helps.

Janie B...Have you got any advice you could offer a person who wanted to take their cats on holiday with them?! ANy tips would be gratefully received.

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Originally Posted by Bethy_boo

Janie B...Have you go Have t any advice you could offer a person who wanted to take their cats on holiday with them?! ANy tips would be gratefully received.

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We were lucky and our 2 travelled really well. We started them early -a year old. How ever much they meow, don't let them out of their travel crates when in the car! One of ours got under the seat and wouldn't come out. One time it was so hot and we thought they wanted a drink - they didn't - they sort of shut down till they get there when they're fine! I've read lots of advice about not feeding them after travel - in my experience our 2 were starving and thrived on eating after a 4 hour journey. They always demanded it!

As for settling into the cottage - one of them was into everything straight away and the other hid for a few days the first year. We let them do what they wanted to do. They were indoor cats so were happy enough inside the cottage and seemed to know their boundaries. Every year after that (16 years!) we went back to the same place and it always seemed to feel like a 2nd home to them. They knew where they were as soon as they got there and settled right in straight away. We just had trouble getting them into the crates to take them home then! They were such good cats :smile:. I'd say let them do their own thing, don't fuss over them too much when travelling and settling in - once they're ok that's the time to make a fuss of them. Not sure our 3 new coonies would be quite so well behaved!

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Originally Posted by Bethy_boo

Janie B...Have you got any advice you could offer a person who wanted to take their cats on holiday with them?! ANy tips would be gratefully received.

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We're heading to Devon for a week at the end of August with our two Coonies for the first time - so I'll keep you posted as to how we get on! Bethy-Boo, thanks for the advice about not letting them out of their carriers - I'm pretty sure that Monty will settle straight away but Gracie can be really vocal so I'll remember that tip - don't think hubby will be too impressed with a contortionist cat under the seat halfway down the A303!!! :)

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Originally Posted by JanieB

We're boarding our 3 MCs for just over a week when we're on holiday in September. We used to take our previous 2 cats with us to Cornwall (for about 16 years!) but decided not to risk 3 lively MCs!! Don't think the car's big enough anyway! They'll be almost a year old then - litter mates, 2 girls and a boy (Sunshine, Shadow and Moonlight).

The cattery we've chosen is FAB registered, very modern, in the countryside - looks fantastic. We turned up unannounced and the owners were happy to show us around and we liked what we saw.

I can't believe just how affectionate and intelligent MCs are (not that our moggies weren't but you know what I mean) and I'm going to hate leaving them. I realise this is more about me feeling guilty, missing them etc but just wanted to get your thoughts.....? I'm worried they'll be 'different' when we get them back home and that the bond we have will change....any advice welcome

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I never thought I would feel bad about putting a cat into the cattery but as you say there is something different about a MC,I used to feel guilty but no more.The place we use is very local to us which is lucky because I know if there is a problem my cat will go to where I work which is an added bonus,it is not now one of the newest in the area but I know its clean,warm & my cats get as much love & attention as they do here,Shimba helps Uncle Richard do the trays in the morning,yep you just bend down Uncle R & I will sit on your lap for headbutts & kisses,in the way am I let me just move round a bit,ah yes lot easier for those cuddles now,Merlyn is allowed out into the main corridors to help with brushing up & rolls over on his back for a few spins up & down,helps to shine everywhere,Bruce sits on the trolley & helps with the food round & then tells Auntie Gloria which one he fancies for his next meal,they are spoilt,spoilt,spoilt,Uncle R always goes & gets bigger carboard boxes for them to have outside in their play run,one of the local shops always knows when ours are going to stay because the week before he is asked to put away half a dozen larger ones.When we arrive there is always two pen doors open & the cats sort themselves out who goes where,they all know their boarding partners,they are groomed & in some cases where medication has been required that has all been given with no problems,when we go to pick them up they are not really that bothered at all about leaving,sometimes I think they are allowed to get away with more than at home,a bit like children going to stay at nans & getting spoilt,once home they revert straight back to normal although in his younger days Bruce did make me suffer for a few days,nope no kisses for you didn't want to go there,after a while though I found if I didn't do the oh poor boy bit I am so sorry & mum did miss you he came round a lot quicker & now doesn't try it on at all.They do take a few of their favourite toys & when one of them has been a bit poorly then I take that ones favourite bed but other than that they seem happy with what is provided for them.As Racheal-C says go off & enjoy your hols,bet your babes will have lots to tell you on your return...x