I wanted to find a safe place for my cat when I went on a trip, and I got really confused about all the options for “cattery boarding.” So I decided to do it by myself and share what I found.
First, I started looking around my town, Louisville, for places that looked good. I checked out a few that were mentioned a lot, like Lucky Cat Cafe and Lounge, Lisa’s Pet Sitting Service, Almost Home Boarding Training, and The Metro Pet. I also saw Veterinary Specialist Partners Urgent Care and Plantation Animal Clinic were options. There are really a lot of places you can take your cat to.
Then, I started thinking about what my cat would like better – staying at home or going to a cattery. I read that most cats don’t like catteries unless they’re used to them. It sounded like it could be really stressful for my cat, so I leaned towards having someone come to my house instead.
Making the Choice
- Home vs. Cattery: I thought hard about this one. It seemed like staying in his own place would be way less stressful for my cat.
- Finding a Sitter: I started looking for someone who could come over once a day to feed my cat, clean the litter box, and just check up on him.
I talked to a few friends who also have cats, and one of them recommended a pet sitter they’ve used before. I met with the sitter, and she seemed really nice and responsible. She agreed to come over once a day while I was gone. My cat is usually fine at home alone, but it is really important to have someone check on them, and make sure they are not having any issues like urinary obstruction.
Finally, I made sure my home was cat-proofed before I left. I put away anything that could be dangerous, made sure there was plenty of food and water, and left some of his favorite toys out. I also left detailed instructions for the sitter about my cat’s routine and any special needs.
When I came back from my trip, my cat seemed happy and relaxed. He had been well taken care of, and it was a relief to know he hadn’t been stressed out in a strange place. Choosing to have a sitter come to my home instead of taking him to a cattery really worked out well for both of us.
