What are catteries like?

Drea

Hey all,

I just came back from holiday today, I've been away for a week and left my two cats at a local cattery. My friend was supposed to be looking after them but bailed at the last moment and it's the only one I could find but to be honest it's one I had thought about before and had thought was good.

I had worries when I left them there, the "chalet" they were in was around 1m x 1m and then the same through a cat flap, I'm sure this is the norm but I felt it was just too small for two cats. They had one tiny litter tray (like the ones for kittens) between them with barely any litter in at all, it was mostly just newspaper.

Anyway, today I went to collect them and as soon as the door to their "chalet" was opened all I could smell was cat wee, all of the things that went in with them (a couple of toys and a towel) stank of it and I'm worried I'll have to throw out Myles's mousey now, which is quite disastrous! Their cat boxes were both in there with them and both of them are just covered in dried in urine. Myles has aways loved going into his box but it was a struggle to get him in today and he managed to break out in the car, he was so stressed out. Nala has always been a nuisance with the box

They both look so dirty and have spent their time since getting home cleaning themselves, eating and drinking everything they can see.

I want to complain, but first I just wanted to ask if this is normal? I've never used a cattery before and perhaps I'm being dramatic...

Thanks

tanith

I've never used one to be honest but I'd be appalled if my cats came back in that state... can't be right can it ? I'm sure someone else will confirm this doesn't sound right.

Drea

tanith wrote: »

I've never used one to be honest but I'd be appalled if my cats came back in that state... can't be right can it ? I'm sure someone else will confirm this doesn't sound right.

They'll never be going there again, or any cattery if they are all like that! They are finally settling into being home again, I've spoilt them with a bit of mackerel

Unfortunately there's also been a toilet accident which neither of them has ever had, but I'm hoping that's just with the stress.

Alikay

The enclosures in the one we use are full height to ceiling, maybe 1.5m wide by 2.5 m long and have perspex separating the pens. On the ground is a litter tray and a forked thick tree branch which they can climb up to get to the sleeping/eating area (on a sort of shelf across the width of the pen, and raised about 1.4 m high). They have a bed/basket(some owners take their own) and the bedding is changed daily if needed. Food-wise they usually serve Felix/Whiskas, but there is Iams and various types of bagged food if that's what your cat eats. Each cat also also has a dish of Go Cat biscuits kept topped up along with fresh water. I've also seen the owner tempting cats with chicken breast and fresh fish when they've been pining and not eating!

I must admit my cat is a bit smelly on return, but a few hours outdoors and grooming herself and she's fine. We don't use a posh "pet hotel" catteries by the way, this is just a regular one, so I'd say the one you used is falling short of usual standards.

walwin

This is not normal and absolutely not acceptable.

Complain loudly.

Size of 'chalet' is too small for one cat but you made the choice so you can't really complain to them about that now, but complain vociferously about everything else.

Definitely not good enough :mad:

Drea

Thanks, I'm going to complain. I'm just wondering if I should phone them, usually I'd shy away from phoning but I'm so angry about it!

For the money they get the least they should do is keep the "chalet" clean! A posh cat hotel was only £3 a day more expensive but I couldn't get through to them, I literally had one day to try and find something for them I feel so guilty for having left them there now.

Olokia

The cattery I use have individual wooden structures that have a 2m gap around the outside so the cats aren't too close together.

The cats get the same area whether there are 1 or 2 of them but I think it is big enough for two.

The structure is about 4m x 1m and most of it is ground level but around 1mx1m has a 2nd and 3rd level for sleeping. The 2nd level is enclosed with a small hole for the cats to get in and out.

The litter tray is about the same as yours with not that much litter inside but when I pick them up it is always clean and the cats are clean as well.

Lily usually comes back quite fat which I am not that happy about but at least they get fed enough. The cats seem happy and it looks quite good.

How much did you pay? Mine is £9.50 a day for 2 cats although last time they charged me £11.50 a day which I need to ask them about. I think it may be because Fizz had a cone on and so had to have their extra big places because the hole to the sleeping area would have been too small.

Drea

I paid £12 for them both per day. Around here the going rate seems around £12 - £15 per day so there isn't much between them. If I'm to use one again I'll definitely be visiting it before I leave my cats there. They didn't have any different levels at all apart from a shelf. Nala usually puts on weight very easily, I have to be quite careful with her but she still looks thin but the thing I'm worried about is the water, my two drink water constantly and I need to fill it up a couple times a day (3 bowls of the stuff too). The first thing they done when they came in was had a drink but I might be being paranoid, that could just be because they were stressed out in the car.

Fridaycat

This sounds like an appalling cattery and you should most definitely complain, very loudly :mad:

My cats stay in an FAB-approved cattery which might be more expensive than others, but the cattery has to be built and maintained to strict standards to achieve FAB Approval. Therefore I know that when I go away my cats stay in a spotlessly clean, large chalet; they come out as healthy as they went in with no smelliness whatsoever; they are fed whatever I want them to be fed (NOT just what the cattery owner can be bothered to buy); they are given medications if needed; and they are given love and attention and cuddles.

They are pricey, but I am prepared to pay this for the peace of mind that my babies are being looked after properly. The last time they stayed, I think it was around £15 per night for 3 cats.

rising_from_the_ashes

OMG this is appalling - definitely complain.

If mine do need to stay in a cattery (very rare) they go to this one http://www.howparkcattery.co.uk/index.html - FAB approved & fantastic.

My old cat had to go quite frequently (lived long way from home so trips back needed 3/4 days - unfortunately, he was on lots of medication which was too much to ask neighbours to do) and I had a brilliant one there too.

If they are registered with the council you could also complain there.

I'm so sorry your poor wee ones had such a nightmare stay.

bluebeary

its always best to ask other cat owners in your area, check out websites and read reviews online

the first cattery we used was good but we dint feel comfortable with the people, then i found a lovely website of another cattery, further away and booked online and found the lady who ran the cattery really friendly

the first time i took our cat there i knew he was in good hands, she knew each and every cat by name and on his second visit this year, she even remembered what food our cat prefered, it had been a year since his last stay

our cat is semi feral and weary of strangers but the lady at the cattery was a natural with him, able to pick him up and stroke him as i would on his arrival. avonbrae in strathhaven if your in scotland, i need to write a review dont i ?