Leaving the cat in the pound

[Haggis]

We just came back from a few days at the in-laws and left the cat at the local cattery. They didn't have much room so she was put in the isolation unit, basically a shed away from the other cats. The regular area is like a small room at the back with shelves to climb up and a catflap through to an outdoor cage area with shelves and scratching post.

My question is, with her being an outdoor cat would she be better off just coming to the inlaws house for a few days and being shut in the house, or left at the cattery. I wouldn't leave her there again if the only place left is the isolation unit and having doubts now about the regular cages.
Thanks for any advice

[ladybirder]

I take it the in laws would be OK with that?

[Haggis]

They love her but the cat goes nuts if she can't go out when she likes!

[ladybirder]

Oooh difficult. First I think if I had a kind neighbour I could trust I would her at home and ask neighbour to feed her and look out for her. My instinct if that was not possible would be to take her to ILs with me BUT I know what a pain a cat can be if they can't go out when they want to. Perhaps a nicer cattery (ask at your vets).

[DSJ]

We think a good cattery is always best. We go away quite alot during the summer & use an excellent cattery near our home. We always have to book well in advance because it is so popular. Our cat loves being in the garden but sleeps in at night. When we're away, we can really enjoy ourselves because we know that puss is being well cared for, well fed, and safe. He is happy in his own home or at the cattery where he knows the owners & staff members & is treated like one of their own pets.

This is our experience but probably not all catteries are as good as the one we use.

[SpikeyBush]

Years ago, a cat I had who loved being outside tearing the heads off mice, was quite content being left with my parents who would keep him in out of fear of him wandering off (they did live about 25 miles away). One time they were looking after him, he got out without them knowing. The first they knew of his escape was when he came trotting back up their driveway to be fed at teatime.

[Haggis]

thanks for the replys. I reckon it is a descent cattery, well, as good as locking up a cat gets! I do leave her for up to 3days/2 nights on her own with the auromatic feeder, and she has a microchip catflap to come and go when she likes, but I wouldn't want to leave her without someone keeping an eye for much more than that. I reckon my pal would only pop in, fill the food bowl, then go. She needs a bit more company than that. But as I said, she is a pain in the ar8% when you keep her indoors!

[nungate]

She would be safer in the cattery - shame you are way over in the wilds of Argyll (you are aren't you?) as we have two really excellent catteries about 10 minutes from where I live (though one is a lot more expensive than the other - my lot has only been there once). One of our cats used to go out but he started coming home a bit the worse for wear - coming second in fights so I started keeping him indoors and we got a kitten for him as company, and he settled down to life indoors (the kitten never liked being outside) We had him for nearly 15 years and he was about 5 when we got him from a rescue place,he only died at the end of August and he is sorely missed. The cattery where your cat was it sounds fine, she has access to the outside and places to climb and scratch - my lot think that's what the sofa is for.............

[Haggis]

Thanks Nungate, I think your right and I will just try to book earlier in future, avoiding her being put in the Isolation unit. They charge £6.50 per night, not sure if that's cheap or expensive as it is the only one handy for us.

[SpikeyBush]

I pay €7 per night for my moggy so you're in the ballpark

[boxtops]

personally, I'd never use the cattery - mine like their home comforts, as long as a neighbour comes in to feed them. They are much happier at home.