Hi guys

Has anyone ever put their cats in a cattery??? IF so how did you find them? Did it have any effect on the cat or were they happy with the cattery??? It's just that i might be going on holiday in May or June & therefore was thinking of a cattery for my two cats who are brother & sister. Before when i went away someone came in to look after them but the cats wrecked the lounge by breaking things & scratching up the carpet!! They were obviously confused as to where i had gone. This time however i dont think this person can look after them & as they have only just started going outside i feel its unfair to ask someone to call them in at night & if they dont come back to then go & find them.

Also are there any specifications i would have to give to the owners of a cattery & do the cats need up to date jabs etc???? Sorry if this sounds a little confusing & long :)

BTW the cats are 1yr 3months old.

I've used the cat and dog home when I had a cat.  They were great.  The cats have an inside bit with their food and bed (all supplied) and a cat flap out to an outside run.  All the cats are kept separate, even outside.  If you have a cattery in mind go and look and make sure its clean otherwise they'll come home with a hatful of fleas - and of course you have to like the person that's going to look after them.  I paid £4 per day including food although if your cats are fussy you can take your own food.  Catteries usually stipulate that all innoculations and vaccinations are up to date - I think that's standard practice these days.  If your cats have any special needs or illness you have to tell them.  I have no hesitation at all in leaving my animals in kennels.  They get good care, are safe and its cheap :)

CG

Here's how to find a good boarding cattery, in particular a FAB listed one (widely recognised as the best):
http://www.fabcats.org/catteries/index.php

Go & ask to look at the cattery before you make any decisions.   Most owners/managers are quite happy to show you around the premises.  Check all the runs are clean, ask what access they have to runs, food they are fed on etc.  and heating too - the nights can still get cold so the cats need warmth.    I work occasionally in one, the runs & houses are cleaned everyday, fresh litter, cats are fed twice a day - dry & wet food, cats have access to the runs all the time if they wish.  Its in a quiet country location so there's not a lot to disturb the more nervous ones too.

Thank you all for your replies. My oh mother has a friend that has opened a cattery so i might have a look there & now i know what to ask & what to look for. I know i'll be nervous leaving them with any one else but if i write down what they eat & take their food with me they should be fine. :) Im glad you have said there might be runs attached as they love looking around & watching things going on in our garden so if they get some air in an enclosed pen i'll be happy with that :) I just hope they will keep them together...they should shouldn't they?? Thanks again...very helpful & reasuring :)

At the cattery I work at, there's penthouses with runs for the individual cats and then a housing unit with a run around it for 2+ cats - they will put 3 cats from the same family together in the biggest unit & run.   The penthouses & large units all lead off a corridor and the nicer natured cats are sometimes allowed to intergrate in the corridors (Also with porch doors so there's no escape artists!) where more bigger cat toys are placed for them to play with if needs be.   

Thanks again...mine are quite good at trying to get pass legs to get out side in the mornings so i think i'll have to warn them of that. We have a cattery near us whos owners are really nice so im now looking into their prices & conditions etc. All of the replies have been very helpful & i know have a "list" in my head with what to ask & look for. :)

Any decent cattery should have double doors or an air lock system for want of a better description to prevent the cats from escaping.