going away for christmas

georgiesmum

Got a problem with my 2 rescue cats. I have only had them for 4 months They have been vaccinated but not for a couple of years. Just going to my daughters in the iom for a week. my neighbour who looks after my cats is away as well so no cat minder. I have tried to find a cattery in cheshire that will take them but they want their vaccinations updated which will cost over £100. A cat sitter will cost a bomb at christmas. Does anybody know of any local catteries that will take them without having fully up to date vaccinations. I have to go to my daughters. For personal reasons it can't be put off and it came out of the blue.

SnowyOwl_2

Try asking at your vet if they know of any cat sitters - sometimes their nurses/receptonists do it. As for the cost, it seems you have already dismisssed this idea as being too expensive at Christmas without having actually looked into it. It looks like you are going to have to pay something to have your cats looked after whether you like it or not. Either you pay for the cat minder, or else you get the vaccinations and pay for a cattery. In the longer term it'd be best to have the cats vaccinated, but I'd have thought that in the short term getting a professional cat minder would be cheaper.

Some catteries have isolation pens for cats that are taken sick - at a push you might persuade a cattery to let you have that, but that's the "grabbing at straws" solution.

The final option I can dream up, if you are taking your car to the Isle of Man is to take the cats with you...

Lovelyjoolz

Do you have a 'Pets at Home' store near you? In two of our local stores, staff advertise their cat sitting services. Look at their notice boards.

Really, the cats don't need to be sat with all day, everyday, just someone to come in once or twice a day to feed them.

Another thought is to talk to the resuce place you got your cats from. It would be too much to ask them to take your cats in, but they might have a local fosterer who'd be willing to pop in and feed your cats in return for a donation to the charity.

georgiesmum

Thanks snowy owl.Not possible to take the cats with me,grandson is allergic to nearly all animals. I took the cats in because they belonged to someone in the close who had died and they where going to be put to sleep. Hadn't banked on this sort of expense and as we are pensioners ourselves will find it hard to cover it. Already had to pay for micro chipping and fleaing and worming and one of them had a sore paw so that needed sorting. I have actually looked into the cat sitter and it's £9 a day, not bad, but a £60 surcharge for Christmas and boxing day, and that is just to coming in once a day.
Feel they would be safe in a cattery, no chance of them getting out. They are very nervous and if spooked will do a runner.

UKTigerlily

Would avoid any cattery not insisting on flu & enteritis like the plague. AFAIK licenced/registered ones have to ask for those jabs anyway?

UKTigerlily

Plus £100 for jabs is nothing compared to a vet if they get flu or enteritis!

SnowyOwl_2

This is annoying! What about your own network of friends, are any of them cat lovers who might be willing to call in to see your furry friends? Or even take them in for the week while you're away. I know it's a big ask, but people can surprise you with their willingness and generosity.

rising_from_the_ashes

You'd be highly unlikely to find a cattery who will take them if they're not vaccinated (ours won't take them if they're due within a month of them going in).

What about another neighbour? Even if you had to pay them a little? The only other option is a pet sitting service but as you say with Christmas, it will be expensive.

Try asking at the vets, they may know someone who'd be willing to help - I know I'd do it for someone if they asked.

picklepick

Where abouts do you live OP?

Fridaycat

UKTigerlily wrote: »

Would avoid any cattery not insisting on flu & enteritis like the plague. AFAIK licenced/registered ones have to ask for those jabs anyway?

Completely agree. It is a requirement of the licence that all residents must be vaccinated. If you found a cattery willing to overlook this, I would have huge concerns about what other corners they were cutting and the level of care to the cats.

clipclop_2

What area are you in?