Cat care on holiday or in an emergency

Cat boarding or care in the home

A cat is the ideal pet for seniors who rarely travel. Because no matter whether it is boarded or cared for at home, the cat suffers from being separated from you. However, you can allow your cat to go on one or two short trips of one to two weeks per year. The question remains, which type of care is best for your pet.

Boarding a cat is problematic because the animal has to live in a strange environment. Not only do they lose their caregiver, they also lose their familiar environment. In addition, only a few boarding facilities offer single-housing in an appropriately sized room. This means that your cat lives together with other cats. This is not without consequences. Either it enjoys the company, in which case it suffers from the separation after returning to you, or it does not get along with the other animals.

Also, the type of housing is usually very different from what she is used to. Free running is not possible in the unfamiliar environment. She will miss it if she has it with you. Perhaps there is a large fenced garden that is sufficient for a free-roamer. An indoor-only cat will also enjoy the outdoors, but will miss it later on.

For these reasons, care in a familiar environment is usually the better solution, whether for an outdoor or an indoor cat. However, the cat should know the carer and the carer must be willing to visit your cat up to three times a day. Feeding and cleaning the litter box are not enough, the animal also needs attention.

Ideally, a neighbour the cat knows will take care of the cat while you are away. They usually have no problem taking care of your cat several times a day. However, show him everything he needs and write a list of things to take care of.

If you can't find a caregiver in the neighbourhood, ask other people who are familiar with the cat. For example, your cleaner. You will of course need to pay them appropriately for the service, especially if they do not live in your immediate vicinity.

The third option is to look for an association that offers mutual cat care. These work on a points system. You get points when you look after a member's cat and "pay" with them for the care of your cat. The system works better in larger towns where there are many members in the club than in the countryside. In small towns the number of people who join is usually too small.

In recent years, many portals have emerged that specialise in finding cat sitters. Some give a guarantee that the people they place are reputable and will take excellent care of your cat. It is also common for cat owners to rate them. This way, you can see in advance how well the cat sitter has cared for the cats entrusted to him or her.

The last possibility is to find a person who is happy to look after your cat via classified ads or a notice at the vet. Of course, you should get to know them well before allowing them access to your home in your absence.

Cat boarding facilities are subject to official supervision. The operator must present a certificate of competence and the facility is inspected by an official veterinarian. He makes sure that the cats are housed in a manner appropriate to their species. Nevertheless, you should see for yourself how your pet is housed. Ideally, the cat can spend a few days at the boarding facility as a trial before your holiday. This gives you the opportunity to look for other care if your cat does not feel comfortable there.

If the following conditions are met, you can take your cat with you on holiday.

• Your cat has a close bond with you.
• It is an indoor cat that does not know outdoor access.
• The journey should not take more than three to four hours.
• The accommodation is suitable for keeping a cat.

Free-roaming cats that are used to roaming around your home usually do not feel comfortable being taken on a journey. They will probably get lost in the strange surroundings, so you can't let them out. Holidays in the confines of a flat are not fun for the animal.

Ideally, your cat should be used to walking with you on a leash. You can also offer this to your cat at the holiday destination. Some cat owners even take their cat with them in a camper van, this is also possible if your cat is used to a harness and leash. In motorhomes or a station wagon, the journey may take longer, as long as the cat has the opportunity to move around freely in part of the vehicle. In addition, a litter tray and water must be available at all times.

Of course, not every holiday accommodation is suitable for a cat. A small room in a hotel or boarding house means stress for the animal. Your cat will find room service more annoying to frightening than useful. Holiday flats or houses are well suited. When booking, check whether pets are allowed. Also ask about the condition of windows, balconies or terraces. Is there a way to secure them?

Sometimes a situation arises that makes it impossible for you to care for the animal and organise care beforehand. Of course, it causes you grief not to know what will happen to your beloved pet in a sudden emergency. Even in old age, this is no reason to give up a cat.

Some organisations offer to specifically place older animals with senior citizens. Emergency care is part of the offer. Of course, this is the best solution. However, you can also ensure the best possible care for your cat yourself:

• Before you get the cat, think about who can take care of the animal during the holidays or in an emergency.
• Make a note of who to notify if you are unable to care for the animal. Carry this with you at all times.
• Arrange with friends or relatives to take care of your pet if you do not contact them by email, chat or phone once a day.
• Make sure that the carer can always get to your home to reach the cat in case of an emergency.
• Handwrite a bequest stating who should get the cat after your death.
• In this way, you can also leave valuables or money to the cat's carer, with the proviso that he or she must care for the cat.
• Clarify with the person or organisation how the care should take place.
• Make a list of everything important about your cat, such as any medication or dietary requirements.

Unfortunately, many seniors give up the joy of living with an animal because they like to travel or fear that no one will take care of the cat in an emergency. As you can see from the article, these worries are unnecessary unless you plan to be constantly travelling.