I have 2 beautiful cats. One is part Siamese - she is 9 years old and the other is a Maine Coon - he is 8 years old. They are both fixed, of course. They just love each other as you can see from the picture here. They act like husband & wife at times.
Anyway I have to go to Omaha (I live in Chicago) for 10 days, from Sept 20 to Sept 30, for a training program for my new job. I will know tomorrow if I can take the cats with me. If so, I will rent a mini-van, or something similar, and buy one of those big (outdoor type) containers that the cats will have some movement ability in, and I will drive there. It's only about 400 miles. If they say I cannot bring my cats, then I'm not sure what to do. I can either hire someone to come to my home daily which would be fine except that they cry out for me sometimes. I don't know why they do it, but they do it even when I'm at home. Especiallt the part Siamese, she does it all the time. She'll howl or cry & I call her name & she stops. The other cat only does it occasionally & I actually think when he does it, he's calling for the female. Even though he is fixed, there are times when he sniffs her butt & seems to get excited. He wants to lick her but she gets mad & swipes at him. Anyway, back to my original problem. Any ideas would be appreciated. If I can't take them should I hire someone to come here or should I have them boarded somewhere? And, if they give me permission to bring the cats, is that a good idea or would it be too much on their nerves? It would be about a 10 hour drive & I would stop every 3-4 hours to play with them & let them relax.
I personally don't feel they should travel, its only for 10 days and the stress for a trip of 10 days doesn't seem worth it. If you're going to be travelling again, it's time to find a qualified pet sitter or friend/neighbor/family member to look in on your cats.
Btw, don't know if you intended to or not, but your pic was too large to be an avatar, that's where you had it.
I agree....I would find someone you and the cats are comfortable with to come and take care of them...
can you record yourself talking to them for this person to play back for the cats...just an idea...or call on the phone every so often and leave a message on the machine...they will hear you leaving it if the volume is turned up...
BTW...I live just a couple hours north of Omaha and will be down there this next week...where are you staying and do you have time to sightsee?!...you MUST go to the Old Market....and the zoo if you can...either of those would be weekend things to do...
live just a couple hours north of Omaha and will be down there this next week...where are you staying and do you have time to sightsee?!...you MUST go to the Old Market....and the zoo if you can...either of those would be weekend things to do...
As Tambrey says, visit Henry Doorly Zoo, one of the best in the Country. And go to the Jocelyn Gallery... And if you possibly can, just for me, zoom on down to Lincoln (only 50 miles!)... tour the capitol and the U Nebraska campus... Sigh - such a wonderful part of the USA that many people don't realize exists (does it show that I used to live there? )
But about the cats: These days there are many pet "hotel" sort of facilities, which will cater to the special needs for a reasonable fee... My Q stayed in one in River Ridge, LA after he was rescued until we could get him over here to Austin. Call around the Yellow Pages (but of course be careful to get references and check out thoroly.)
Thanks to all for replying. I did not go the last time. I delined because I was so worried about my cats. In the allmost 10 years that I've had these cats, I have never been away from them, at all. This time, though, I really WANT to go. This is for a Travel Agent Job that I will be doing out of my home. With the pay & benefits, it's just great. I can't turn it down. And, it's only for 10 days, if I fly. 11 or 12 days if I drive. They are paying for my flight out there, the hotel and they're giving us $25.00 per day for food while we are there. I've never flown with cats. I know you can take one pet, but can you take 2 cats onboard a plane? Someone told me once that you should never send animals by way of freight because they end up with hearing loss. Is that true? Anyhow, I think you are all right in that I should either have someone come here to my home or I should find a place to board them. I do have one friend who said he would take them to his home, but he already has 4 cats of his own - 3 boys & 1 girl & we don't know how friendly they will be. My cats have not been over there yet. He told me that he would keep them in a separate room if needed. That was why I didn't go the last time, I couldn't bear the thought of them in one room for 10-12 weeks. And, that time, I didn't have the money to hire someone. This time I do have the money. What are your ideas on leaving them with my friend. I don't like this option because of the possibility of them being stuck in one room the whole 10 days. Since I can afford it, I was leaning towards taking them, but since you advise against it, now I'm leaning towards hiring someone to come here or finding a place to board them.
Yes, I definately want to visit the Omaha Zoo on a day off. They are giving us a rental car that we have to share. I don't know how many of us trainees there will be, but I will certainly make the suggestion about going down bto the Lincoln area and the other places you have recommended.
Most importantly, I have to figure out what to do with my babies. I too much of a worry wort, I guess. I'm so afraid that they won't be treated right or that they will be lost or something dreadful. You know? And, I worry that they are going to be sad & that they will think I've abandoned them. This is a once in a lifetime chance for me, though, & I've made up my mind that I am going. I called my vet's office & they gave me a name of a woman who comes to your home. They said they have had good remarks about her. She took care of a Diabetic cat for the Vet's receptionist. Do you think they'll be alright if she comes to my home every day for a few hours? I'm starting to ramble on so let me go for now. By the way, yes, I meant that picture to be an avatar. Does anyone know how I can make it smaller? Thanks
Yes, If I end up having someone come here, I will be calling each day & "talking to them" through the phone. Or, I will make a recording that can be played for them.
I'd think it would be better if you could find someone to come in and check on them for you at home. Animals sometimes get spooked when they are left alone in a strange place, and one or both could bolt and get lost. My husband (who, BTW, really doesn't like cats) has done that for a co-worker who has 2 cats. He would go by every day after work, clean the litter boxes and play with or pet the cats for about 1/2 an hour to an hour (depending on the cats and whether or not they wanted the attention - most of the time they did). He's done that for her several times.
Just a suggestion on the avatar - There's a lot of background and it's really hard to see the cats, can you crop the photo to get more of a close-up? I'm sure Traci can help you with the "how to" if needed.
"A dog is the only thing on earth that loves you more than he loves himself." ~ Josh Billings.
Thanks for the reply. I wish you lived in Chicago. I could hire you or your husband. Yes, I've decided that I will find someone to come here either once or twice a day or maybe even try to find someone to sleep here for the 9 or 10 nights, or even just a few nights out of the 9 or 10 nights. I called my vet & they gave me a recommendation and I also put an ad in Craigslist last night. I've already gotten about 15 responces, but the tricky part is finding someone who I can trust.
About my Avatar, you are right. I need to crop it & get rid of the background (they climbed into a closet & were sleeping in there together & I just had to take the picture). I'm going to try to find out how I can crop the picture so that it shows the cats. Debbie
Bt the way, I think this forum is just great!!
I fixed your avatar, it's now set in your profile.
Please, don't use craigslist or any online forum on the net to find people to care for your cats or come to your home, this is asking for trouble and danger. You should never trust anyone over the net whom you've never met or investigated beforehand.
Call your vet back, ask to speak to the tech or whichever staff member had the petsitter checking on their pets. If the tech or whomever gives an excellent report, ask for further references for this person or the references of equally qualified petsitters your vet is familiar with. Also ask if your vet has a technician available who has pet sat in the past. You could also probably board your cats at the vet, but they wouldn't receive alot of love and attention due to a busy clinic and hours where they may not have an attendant available. Boarding is stressful for cats, and it also requires your cats are up-to-date on their vaccinations, etc.
I'd strongly suggest a trusted friend either: come to your home twice a day to check on your cats, spend at least one hour with them each time, clean litterboxes, play with them, check lights, etc....or if you trust them explicitly, ask them to "house-sit", meaning they would stay in your home for the duration of your absense. I wouldn't take your cats to your friend's house, this would be too stressful.
DO NOT settle for anyone whom you do not know or have not met in person and had a chance to investigate further. Ask your vet and his techs for qualified, and known referrals. If they give you a referral, ask the person to come to your home and talk with them, watch how they are with your cats, how well they understand instructions, their familiarity with your vet and the clinic's afterhours number, get references from them, etc.
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