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Old 10-28-2006, 04:15 AM   #1
genecurp
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pet care and boarding

We adopted a stay kitten at Gettsburg en route to New England this past May. He is a great addition to the family.

We have a few plans which would require us to sideline the Monty and go traveling where we can't take the cat. A backpacking trip we'd like to take would require us to board the cat for about a month.

Do any of you have experince with commercial boarding outfits for cats?
 
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Old 10-28-2006, 12:04 PM   #2
Driftwoodgal
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Genecurp,

I have owned a dog and cat boarding kennel for the past 27 years. What questions do you have?

Colleen
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Old 10-28-2006, 12:38 PM   #3
genecurp
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Collen, I am looking for a place for my neutered tom (he would be about 1.5 years old next May). My wife and I want to finish the Appalachian Trail which would mean for us a remaining 1,500 miles. We really need to board the cat (if we can tough out the hiking) five to six months. We don't want him stuck in a cage all the time, and he needs & would enjoy some human interaction. We would cut back our trip to one month segments to give him breaks if we are asking too much of a boarding facility.

How much exercise do they get? How much human interaction? How big is their holding area? BTW we are based in TN and will start our hike near Roanoke and head for Maine.

Thanks
Gene
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Old 10-29-2006, 12:34 PM   #4
Driftwoodgal
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Gene,

My kennel has some of the largest boarding runs in the Austin, Texas area. driftwoodkennels.com Our inside cat runs are 6' X 4'.

There are several things that you need to take into consideration when you are boarding your cat. Cats can be really funny when they are left and can stop eating. It is very important that a cat eats and drinks or they can have pancreatic problems and become dehydrated. We monitor their eating habits very carefully. I have been known to use tuna fish, catfish, shrimp to get a pet to start eating. Once you get a cat started eating then you normally won't have a problem after that. Not all cats go on the hunger strike just some of them.

I have boarded cats as well as dogs for extended periods of time, some longer than a year. People building houses, have lost the home to a fire, lots of different reasons.

Here is a suggestion.... try boarding the cat on one or two night stays where ever you want to leave him. Then go pick him up and find out how he did. Do this several times with possibly leaving him up to a week for a trial run. If he does well then you should be ok for the longer trips.

How do you choose the kennel where you want to leave your family member? There is a kennel association that is called ABKA. The kennels that are members are supposed to follow a code of ethics. I know of several kennels that belong to this association and I wouldn't leave my worst enemy with them. I am not saying that all kennels that belong to the association are bad. I don't belong to it as they do not go out and inspect the kennels, they depend on you just being an honest joe and that you agree to the code. So I keep my money in my pocket and choose not to belong. I would rather have someone come out and inspect my business anytime that we are open and make up their own mind if we are the place to leave their pet.

We always put in fresh water and food daily. At that time the litter box is cleaned. We give each and ever pet a short "me time" where they
are the center of attention. For clients that want a cuddle time we get in the run and sit with the cat for 20 minutes sessions.

I would inspect the kennel that I boarded with on more than one occasion if you don't do the trial runs. I would also try to choose a kennel that is owner operated and lives on site.

Please let me know if I can answer any more questions for you. As I tell my clients "If you don't feel comfortable leaving you pet with me then you won't have a good vacation." My goal is to make sure our clients have a great vacation and that the pet doesn't mind being boarded.

Colleen
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Old 10-30-2006, 11:37 AM   #5
genecurp
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Collen
Your advice and guidance is very insightful and helpful. I didn't know about the "humger strike" danger and appreciate the "heads up".
My wife and I will discuss this further and interview some of the couple dozen kennels in the Nashville area. We have a relationship with a sitter who came to our home in the past. She may be able to guide us away from local bad guys and toward better places. She herself doesn't offer that service. No dog in the fight, so to speak!!

Thanks again.
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Old 10-30-2006, 01:07 PM   #6
Driftwoodgal
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Gene,

At some point I will be in the same place you are. We will be selling our kennel at some point so I will have to find a place to find for my own cat. We love to cruise and can not take Alex with us then. When we take the RV out we always take him with us. We even have a very large fold down crate that we take with us so he can have time outdoors.

Please let me know if I can answer any other questions for you.

The tips that I gave you can apply just as well to a dog as to a cat. All pets can get homesick for their owners. Finding a nice place to take care of them is the key. If you do that then you will have a good time while you are away.
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