Conference misery::feline_v1

    If he were a house cat, I'd suggest a neighbor or coworker that you
    trust not to let him out stopping by once a day to feed and cuddle him. 
    Since he's an outdoor cat, and has not been with you that long, it's
    more problematical;  he might wander away.  There's also the worry
    about flying with him, if he's in a baggage compartment and exposed to
    cold and other dangers (in the past airlines have put animals in
    unpressurized compartments;  they say this no longer happens, but...)
    
    Not much help, am I;  do you think he'd tolerate being indoors all the
    time just for that week, if you could root up someone to stop by?  Or
    if you post your home city, perhpas someone could recommend a
    trustworthy boarding place.
    

    Hi Mike -

    I second .1, try to find someone to come to your house.  I have a
    person here who actually has a business of caring for pets in
    "your house", and they pick up mail and rotate lights too.

    I travel (too much) for work, and have to leave my buddies too
    much.  But I do believe that they are better off staying in their
    own environment.  They sure seem more relaxed about it.  One of my
    cats does go out, but she doesn't seem too stressed by staying in
    for the time I'm gone.  Plus, they stay healthier than boarding -
    if I board them, they usually pick up a cold or eye infection.

    BTW, I found my "cat lady" in the yellow pages.  She cuddles and
    plays with them, changes litter, etc.  Plus, she will take them to
    the vet if necessary, etc.  Look under "Kennels", or "Pets", or
    ask your vet. 

    If it comes down to boarding vs. taking with, I think I would opt
    for boarding with your vet if they provide that service.  The
    stress of bringing your buddy with you could be a lot for both of
    you.

    Good luck, whatever you decide.

    Sue B. + Smokey, Spike and Trouble

    I, too, second #1.  YOu could call your vet's office and ask for a
    recommendation for a cat sitter if you don't have anyone that could
    come by for the week your gone.
    
    Giudi +3

    I too believe it would be best that your kitty stay in his
    own environment and have a friend come over to feed and
    play with him.   I would TRY real hard to keep him in
    during this time frame too!
    
    My thoughts on taking an animal on vacation is....even
    though I would miss them terribly...the thought of them
    getting away or being with many strangers who will be
    opening/closing doors...is to scary...and I would live
    with too much guilt if something happened...so I would
    leave them home.  
    
    Sandy

    The phone book and coworkers' recommendations are helpful in finding
    either a catsitter or a kennel; I think the veterinarian's
    recommendation would be even better.  Last time I asked my dad to look
    after Snoopy and my dog things didn't work out very well (he got locked
    out, for starters), so I'm using a kennel next time I travel.
    
    I would base my decision on whether to take the cat based on 1. the
    length of the stay, 2. the personality of the cat, 3. where I'll be
    staying.  A weekend wouldn't be worth it to me (probably two weeks
    wouldn't be worth it) to bring the cat along, nor would any length stay
    if I were going to be in a hotel or if I knew I had reasonably-priced,
    reliable care available.  However, if I'd be away for a month at my
    mother's house (rural area) and the care available wasn't good, I'd
    consider taking Snoopy along.  Now comes the personality problem;
    Snoopy has to be on kitty-qaaludes to fly, and at her age I try to
    avoid that kind of stress.  But the stress is much less if you can take
    the cat into the cabin of the airplane with you (that means the cat and
    the crate have to be small enough), for you (because you can literally
    watch the cat every moment and even feed her your airline peanuts if
    she's conscious enough to want them) and for the cat (she's bundled up 
    into a box and drugged out, but at least you'd be there.)
    
    Most kinds of trips really aren't worth the stress on everyone to take
    the cat with you; Snoopy has only flown twice and only because I was
    moving.  If you think you may want to take the cat, ask your vet about
    the cat's health and then ask the airline what their policy is.  Make
    sure you get the right size carrier and be stubborn about taking it
    with you.  (All I had to do was puddle up a little and say, "But she's
    sixteen years old, and I just can't bear to think of her alone on this
    long trip!")
    
    Lisa Dean and Snoopy

    Flying with cats can be easy if you plan ahead.  In this case tho, I think
    that I would board the cat.  Taking the cat with you will cost
    you $100 roundtrip for the cat air fare.  Depending on the length of
    your trip, the boarding may cost you less.  If your cat is used to
    going outdoors, when you get to your destination he may want to go
    outside.  Letting him out in a strange area would be a big mistake.  He
    could easily get disoriented and lost.  Also, most cats have a terrific
    homing instinct and he may wander off in search of his real home.
    
    If you decide to take him with you, and need help with airlines, let me
    know.  I fly with my cats quite a bit and am very familiar with the
    rules and regs of most airlines.  I use mostly American now.  They are
    more accepting of the cats than some of the other airlines.
    
    If you do decide to take the cat, you will have to book your flight on
    an airline that will let you take the cat in the cabin most likely. 
    Especially if you are departing from or going to the east.  Airlines
    will not allow pets in the cargo when the temp at either end falls
    below a certain level (depends on the airlines).  The carriers that
    won't let you take the cat in the cabin are Delta and Continental.  
    
    Jo

      mmmm, isn't it funny how those little kitties get under your skin and
    make you love them and worry about them so!
      I have 11 house cats.  But, I am lucky, I have a very TRUSTABLE
    neighbor who watches my house, feeds the cat, waters the plants, takes
    in mail, pays the paperboy, whole nine yards.  If you have someone like
    that it might be good to do it that way. Just make sure there is
    emergency phone #'s, plenty of food, etc.
      A month is a long time though to leave the kitty all alone.  If it
    were me and I was driving down and had only the one kitty, he'd surely
    come with me...........
    
                 good luck,  Denise and the gang of 11

    I sincerely appreciate all of your prompt, and thoughtful replies.
    Comforting to know there's a cat "support group" out there.
    
    Given the info. you kind folks have provided, I seem to think I'll
    opt on boarding him.  I think it's the most "secure" of my options.
    Secure in the sense that he'll be properly cared for (at least I hope?)
    and can't get "loose".
    
    If I take him with me on the plane, I think the trauma of the flight
    and his meeting some of my weird realtives would freak him out, and then 
    there's the possibility of him getting out!!  Double ARGH!   
    
    I'm hesitant about leaving him here at home, and putting the responsibilty 
    of taking care of my little guy on a friend.  Lot's of responsibility
    for a person, and what if he gets sick, or hurt?!
    
    Now to find a reputable boarding place.....
    
    
    Any suggestions?
    

    where are you located?  My friend will visit a house once a day, twice
    a day, every other day...whatever.  She works for a vet and is very
    good.  Many of the Feliners in the Northboro, Westboro area have used
    her services....let me know if you're interested.
    
    Michele
    
    p.s
    
    my kitty is an outdoor cat, and when I travel, I leave her in with 
    a very clean cat (she fussy) box, lots of water and pre measured food 
    (she's on a diet - just 'cause I'm away dosen't mean she can gorge on the 
    food).   If I'm longer than 3 days, I'll pay someone come and check on her.
    I don't allow her out during this time...and she manages just fine. 
    Upon arrival home, she lets me hold her for a few minutes, then she's
    out for a couple of hours.

    Re: asking a friend to stop in for pets....

    I don't do this because it can turn into a big responsibility.
    The person who takes care of mine is a woman who runs a business
    of taking care of pets in their own homes.  She's bonded, has
    references, etc.  I find that to be the ideal solution - if a cat
    has to go to the vet while I'm gone, that's what my cat lady is
    getting paid for, and we both know it.  It's not like putting a
    friend on the hot seat.

    As for places to board, definitely check with your vet.  My vet
    does boarding, and if my "cat-lady" is on vacation, that's where I
    board mine.

    As for taking cats along, I had a real scare once.  I took my cat
    with me once on a driving trip.  Well at midnight at a rest stop
    on the Ohio Turnpike, she slipped out of the car when I got out.
    I spent a frantic 3 hours looking for her, afraid that one of the
    trucks zooming through the place had gotten her.  It turns out she
    had slipped into the station attendant's booth, and had hidden way
    back where we couldn't see her.  She was scared to death.
    Finally, she started making a little noise and we found her.  I
    can't describe the feelings I was having while I was searching,
    and after I found her.  Needless to say, she stayed at home after
    that, and I think we were both better off for it.

    Sue B + Smokey, Spike and Trouble

    Oh my goodness! I would be ABSOLUTLY FRANTIC if that happened to me!!!
    
    I can just see me now, I'd be crying, hyperventalating, my heart would
    be pounding, and Callie would be taking a nap under the back seat!! ;*)
    
    .10 is a very convincing reply, one I'll not forget if I ever have to 
    make a decision like the base noter. I can't even imagine what that 
    would be like!
    
    Bonnie

    Dear fellow cat lover's......another option has come into my thoughts
    of which I would like to solicit your feedback:
    
    What if I leave my beloved Tab's here at home, with a plentiful supply
    of food/water and several litter boxes, and eliminate the need for
    someone to "sit" my baby!?  I'll be away for 7 days, and think (?) that
    this might be a plausible alternative to having someone stop by to
    feed/water him, and therefore eliminate the posibility that when my
    apartment door is opened, of his "escaping".
    
    
    Thoughts/comments _greatly_ appreciated!!.....
    
    
       -Mike

    I'd consider it, however I think I would have someone check in at
    least once to freshen food and water, and make sure he's not ill.
    
    Does this cat bolt at the door now when you come home?

    RE: .13
    
    The only place he "bolts" to is his food dish!
    
    I think I may have come up with a way to keep him away from the
    door.....put aluminum foil around the inside of the door!?  I put
    this around my couch to keep him from clawing it, and he doesn't go
    near the couch now!
    

    I have left my two for a week.  I leave plenty of water bowls around
    (in case one might spill one over) and plenty of hard food.  I usually
    put out 3 cans of the soft stuff (which they love) and I know by their
    habits that that will last them at lease 2 days.  So they only have to
    eat the hard stuff for 5 days.
    
    Oh, yes, and a couple of litter boxes.  There is that worry about them
    getting ill, but cats will sleep for hours if no one bothers them.
    
    I would opt this plan rather than boarding.  Boarding can do strange
    things to cats (not all cats, tho) and the couple of times I did that
    they came home with fleas!
    
    Your little buddy will be alright - but will surely be glad to see you
    walk thru that door!
    
    Anna/Zildjian/Spunks
    

    RE:  <<< Note 5053.12 by MCIS5::ENSLEY >>>
                -< Another alternative?... >-

	I haven't really tried this with cats, but I know from painful
	experience that I would NEVER leave my pets unattended for more
	than one day.  We left on a Friday afternoon and returned home
	at about lunchtime on Sunday, to find that our greyhound had
	managed to just about tear off the top of one of her back feet.
	The cost of the emergency vet, plus daily-visits-for-one-week
	then every-other-day-visits-for-two-weeks at our regular vet
	was far higher than paying for boarding or having a pet sitter.
	It was undoubtedly painful for her and could have had a far
	worse outcome (the vet was just starting to discuss skin grafts
	when the foot decided to heal on its own), and I felt sooo much
	guilt.

	I have had several pet sitters over the years and I have cats
	who love everybody as well as cats who really aren't fond of
	strangers, and yet everyone has done well with my sitters.  That's
	the solution I would recommend -- either a friend, neighbor or
	relative if you have someone you can impose on, or hire a 
	"professional".  Then you won't worry about "what if xxxxxx
	happened the first day I'm gone and no one will know until I
	get back?".

	Just my opinion of course, good luck in your decision.

	Jan

    You can add me to the list of people who'd never leave their
    cats unattended for more than an a day or two MAXIMUM.  I want
    to be sure that nothing out of the ordinary goes wrong while I'm
    away and the best way to do this (short of boarding them) is to 
    have someone check on them regularly.  
    
    If my sitter cannot come every day, then every other day works as 
    long as they leave plenty of food and fresh water for that in between 
    day; and as long as they are prepared for the amount of mess 4 bored
    kitties can make in an unattended day.
    
    Jan

    RE: 16 & 17
    
    
    As a matter of fact, I got the name of a cat sitter a few days ago, and 
    spoke to her last night on the phone.  She's coming over tonight so we
    can meet to discuss all the particulars, ie frequency of visits, cost,
    etc.
    
    Speaking of frequency, what do you folks recommend....once a day, every
    other day?!
      

RE: .18

	Our petsitter comes twice a day, but that's due more to the fact
	that our dogs need their water dishes filled.  For a cat, I would
	think once a day is sufficient.  Every other day is still kind of
	long to leave them unattended, in my opinion, just in case anything
	did go wrong.  


	Jan

    Glad to hear you found a sitter - hope it works out!

    I have my sitter come once a day.  I suppose they could go longer,
    but I like to have her make sure that they are ok and into no trouble,
    sickness, etc.  If I am going to be gone longer than 36 hours, the
    sitter comes at least once.  

    I also feel better that they have someone to give them hugs and
    play with them at least once a day too, but I think this makes me
    feel better than them.  They would probably rather sleep!  ;-)

    -Sue B.  + Smokey, Spike & Trouble (named for what he gets into)

    
           mine comes twice a day

    When I sit for my sister's cats, I go over in the morning to let them
    out and make sure they have fresh water. Then I go over in the evening
    to let them in for the night, feed them, and give them some attention.
    If she is gone for more then a week, I'll spend an afternoon there with
    them. This keeps them in their routine, and gives them enough attention
    so they don't get too lonesome. 
    
    The only thing is, when I go to just visit my sister, they think it's
    time to eat!!
    
    ng

    Made arrangements with the woman that's going to be taking care of
    my Tabs while I'm away.  She's going to stop by after work every day,
    and once a day on Saturday and Sunday....feed/play with my kitty, and
    in addition pick up my mail, and water my plants!
    
    Fantasic!
    
    
    So, thanks to all of you for your input!!  It was more than
    appreciated!!

    Hello feliners,
    	I haven't been keeping up with this conference recently (too much
    to do) but I want some advice so I'm back again.
    
    It has been decided that my wife and I will go to her parents for christmas
    this year, this is going to involve staying with them for 2 days and 2 
    nights, Here are the options for accomodating the cats:
    
    1. It has  been suggested that we can take the cats (2) with us. 
    We can ensure they stay indoors, with no escapes, also  the house 
    will have four human occupants who are known to the cats, tha car
    journey is about 1 hour. 
    
    2. Ask neighbours to come round and feed the cats, but as they will all 
    be pretty busy, and some of them will also be away I don't want to impose 
    on them. 
    
    3. Leave the cats at home alone. I would be happy to leave the cats at 
    home alone for up to 24 hours (we have done this several times), we have 
    a timed feeder which will feed them over a 48 hour period, but have
    never left them for this long. Note we have a cat flap & they can come
    and go at will when left alone.
    
    4. Put them in a cattery, I don't want to do this, also it is probably
    too late to find one now.
    
    I would like to know what you think, particularly with regards to
    options 1 & 3.
    
    Thanks
    
    Martyn
                           
    
    
    does anyone have any comments on whether or not this will be a
    good idea.

    See note 5053.
    

    Munch and Mutu always come with us to Peter's folks (in New Jersey). 
    My mother-in-law has told us that we bring the cats - or else!  As
    they've gotten older, travelling is somewhat more stressful.  We only
    get to N.J. for the week of Christmas, and some times for a long
    week-end in the summer.  Both the kids know the house and other humans,
    so they adapt quite easily.
    
    Since your cats know their humans, I would suggest taking them along. 
    As long as you show them where their litterbox, food and sleeping
    quarters will be, they should be fine.
    
    

    Take them with you!! What's Christmas without kitties?  And
    they'll miss you so!  If you've got the ok from the parents,
    by all means, take them and have fun!
    
    C.
    

    Take them w/ you if you can be ABSOLUTLY SURE there is no way they'll
    be able to escape. If they don't mind the ride too much & they are 
    comfy where they will be, you sould have a great time. It will prob
    make you feel better too, rather than worry, "Gee, I hope the kitties
    are OK???". My family is just too careless for me to trust & they 
    CONSTANTLY let my mothers dog outside w/ no leash or her tags! She runs
    by them when they open the door & they just stand there acting stupid, 
    like they arren't used to this yet?!?! Funny, she never gets out on
    me! Maybe it's because I expect her to be there & I put one leg in the 
    door first & push her out of the way w/ my knee so that I can open the
    door?!?! Try to explain that to my sisters! 
    
    The cable guy did the same thing to me a couple of weeks ago. He came
    over to do some work on the pole cuz my reception was bad. He had to
    keep coming in & out to check the reception, and I told him, "Don't let
    the cats out!" I left the room for a SECOND, when I came back BOTH the
    downstairs entry door was open AND the door to my apt was open!!!!!
    
    I gasped!! My cats have NEVER EVER EVER been out by themselves! I said,
    "Hey! What the hell is the door doing open?!? WHERE IS CALLIE?!?!" The
    guy points at tabitha & sez, "Calm down, the cat is right there!" I
    said, "I HAVE ANOTHER ONE, TOO!!! NOW WHERE IS SHE!?! DID SHE GO OUT!?"
    The guy sez, "I dunno!" I sed, "Well I told you to keep the door shut,
    and now I don't know where my cat is!!" I found Callie & went
    downstairs & SLAMMED the door REALLY loud. I think that got the point 
    across. THe cable guy was pretty flip w/ me to begin w/, but he found
    out real quick, when it comes to my cats, DON'T MESS W/ ME!
    
    
    Bonnie

    I seem to be in a minority here! I don't think it is a good idea to
    take them to a strange place - they'll be disorientated and probably 
    not very happy. If they are used to going out at will, they will not 
    like being confined and they might even express their displeasure by, 
    er, relieving themselves where they shouldn't! 

    It would be better than a cattery, certainly, but cats do get upset 
    if taken away from their familiar surroundings (well, mine do - 
    whenever I have moved house it's been several days before they were 
    `themselves' again even though their `mum' (me) has still been around). 
    It would be a lot of upheaval for them, and just when they were 
    starting to get used to it, they'd be off on the road again!

    I think a regular visit from a neighbour would be the best option - it's 
    not really much of an imposition, is it, just to pop in, make sure the 
    cats are OK and feed them. It's not as if you're going away for a 
    fortnight. I wouldn't think twice about doing this for a neighbour,
    especially at Christmas, season of goodwill and all that. I guess it 
    depends how reliable your neighbours are, though.

    June.