TIPS for first time cattery residents
Planning:
Check your vaccination cards to make sure your cat has been vaccinated within
12 months. We are council licensed and all cats need to be vaccinated and cards brought
along. If you have misplaced the card contact your vet for a replacement. Check
the opening times of the Cattery.
Transporting your cat:
Take your cat in a strong
suitable carrier, cardboard and makeshift ones are not secure enough. If your cat
gets upset in a carrier try covering a wire one with a blanket(leaving ventilation),
or having it on the passenger seat next to you. It is much better for a cat to be
secure and miaowing than unsafe and a distraction.
Put newspaper rather than bedding
in the carrier just in case puss has an accident. If puss tends to go toilet/vomit
when in the car make sure the carrier has a solid base, and if there is more than
1 cat put in separate carriers so they do not soil each other.
Timing:
Where possible
keep your cat in the previous night and take it to the Cattery in the morning, preventing
"the missing cat". If a cat is prone to vomiting/toileting do not feed for several
hours before transporting.
When booking your cat in give the dates you want the cat
to go in/be collected which are not always the days you go/come back. Allow plenty
of travelling time to collect your cat within opening hours. Many people book their
cat in until the day after they arrive back to allow for delays in planes/ferries
etc.
Health and medication:
Always inform the Cattery of any health problems your cat may
have had or is prone to. If medication is to be administered tell us beforehand.
Write down the dose, frequency and name of medication as sometimes this can be difficult
to read off bottles and therefore avoids confusion. If on long term tablets make
sure you take extra ones to the exact number needed. If puss has been unwell get
them checked out by a vet as they may not be accepted for boarding if not fit, as
long as puss is not infectious it should not be a problem for antibiotics etc to
be given.
Food:
Tell the Cattery what food you generally feed your cat. The Cattery
feeds twice a day and will generally do as you do at home. Ifyou require your cat
to eat fresh fish you can prepare this at home and bring along in easy to use daily
portions to put in the freezer.
Bits & Pieces:
It is a nice idea to take something
familiar along especially for puss’ first time. Bedding, not too bold jumper is generally
welcomed, as are a few favourite toys.
Cats temperament & habits:
Tell the Cattery
what your cat is like generally at home in itself, with you, other people and other
cats or if they have been to a Cattery before.