My experience has been that it's been infinitely better to leave my cats in their familiar home environment than board them. I'm so fortunate now, in that when we travel my MIL house and pet sits for us, and my kitties all just love her. (Heck, they might actually prefer her over us, come to think of it.)

When Camille was my only cat I did board her a few times, as I didn't have anyone to petsit, and it always proved to be traumatic for her. The unfamiliar foreign environment with all of its new sounds and scents and sights seemed to really stress her out, and it took days before she returned to normal once we got her back home. She seemed spooked and downright angry about having been boarded. Since your Jasmine already exhibits stressed behavior, I would really hesitate to introduce even more stressors (removing her from her familiar environment will do that), and would try finding another petsitter to come into your home. If at all possible, have the petsitter visit you and Jasmine in your home a few times before your trip, to get Jasmine relatively used to being around this new person. Best of luck!

Hi Stinkey,

I don't have that much experience to offer but I've been doing a lot of research, lately. We have a new kitty (year and a half old) and a 10th anniversary trip coming up in a few weeks.

When I looked on the pets forum, they were against boarding, saying it would stress a cat too much, and prefered sitters.

I used to cat sit for an old friend of mine. She had two, and one of them hated everyone except her owner. She'd always hide under the covers when I came. I'd clean the box and put food down. I'm sure she wasn't thrilled but she survived.

We're hiring a sitter (vet tech) to come when we are on our trip. Arwen will miss us, I'm sure, but I can't see sacrificing a marriage and becoming, what would amount to be an invalid, out of guilt (as I'm typing this, she's staring at me as if to say "what's up?" :) ).

From the reading that I've done, it seems like cats are much more in tune with their home than a dog is, and are subject to more stress when taken to a strange place at the same time their owners are missing.

Maybe check with your vet. Often, their techs do this as a side job and are very familiar with cats and their various idiosyncrasies.

(My bunch is so "in tune" with their home that when we rearranged the living room furniture recently, they fought amongst themselves for two days following the move of the sofa and chairs. Simply having the couch in front of the windows instead of where they were used to seeing it caused chaos in their world. ;-))

I agree about trying to find someone else to come.

None of mine would do well with boarding. My one cat was stressed when I was going through all my furniture rearranging. You should of saw him in the new house when we first moved! I also can't move the cat bed or they stop using it.

Good luck and keep us posted!

I wouldn't necessarily find someone else. She just needs to get to know her sitter and become comfortable with her and what happens when you go away. If you, yourself, feel the sitter wasn't a good fit, I second the vet tech background as a suggestion. Someone she knows from her own doctor's office might not be the best selection, though, due to a bad association there.

They live through it and learn to adjust! Mom does come home, and someone else stops by to take care when she's away.

If you can swing it, buy some extra time. Have the sitter stay for at least an hour, maybe two sometimes if it's not too costly. She can watch tv, open the windows, sing, play music, fuss over her sight unseen, whatever, to bring some normalcy to the place while you're gone.

Animals know instinctively if someone is a good fit for them. Pulling hair out is definitely a sign that the previous sitter wasn't.

We boarded the last 2 kitties at the vet's. No horror stories, but it's just not something I'm willing to do again. We became good friends with our neighbors who also have cats. So for the past 14 years we've traded sitting services. It's a good fit for all of us ... humans & felines.

Talk to friends, co-workers. Find someone who uses a sitter and try again.

My thought there, Stinky, was that since Jasmine is afraid of strangers and flees when anyone comes over (not uncommon with cats), you may just keep going through sitters like toilet paper if you don't give the two a chance to get to know each other, but rather keep trying someone new. Maybe there was something specific about this sitter that didn't work out. I do think a female would work better than a male, with their strong voices, steps, and presence. I've worked with animals quite a bit and it can be a slow, gradual process with the timid ones. She may actually never be comfortable with any stranger that comes in, or ever show her face at all when they're there, but she'd still be in her own home. Infinitely more comforting and less scarey than a boarding facility.

It might be good to have the sitter visit a few times when you're there. See you talking together, etc. She can check it out from under the sofa or something : )

You sound like such a great mama cat : )

Occasionally someone will come in & Jasmine will not flee.

Any chance one of those people would be willing to sit for you? Hanna's like Jasmine, she'll tense up at a knock on the door. There are a few people she'll interact with, but always on her terms. We were lucky that the neighbor happened to be one of them.

Whooo, there she goes now! Hot tailing outta there. Guests ... Yikes!

{{gwi:1520652}}
Myspace 2.0 layouts

Hee-hee...Love that picture. I used to board a kitty of mine at the vet's when I lived in Fla. and would visit my family for major holidays, etc. They pretty much just keep them in a cage, and take them out once or twice a day for petting, etc. Think of all the *different* handlers your kitty would have to get used to at a boarding place. I just think letting a cat stay in their own comfy surroundings is just so much better for them.

Isn't that funny!

My little girl, now passed, was comfortable with no one but me, due to a bad first year in her previous home. She had to be boarded for a week or so when I went away once, because she needed meds. She just huddled in the back of the cage the entire time, no matter how much they tried. There was one girl there who loved her and would spend time with her, so that was nice. When they brought her down the hall to go home, she heard my voice and immediately came to the front of the cage. Seeing the relief on my sweet girl when we got into the car together, was the most gratifying mommy moment. She gave me such a kiss of relief that I'll never forget. I know she knows I'd have never left her, but they have no clue what's going on. Repeated boardings or hospital stays, they do get accustomed to the routine of it all, I think, that they get to go home. But it's still frightening.

I could never bear boarding my animals because most of them were abandoned and caged at one time, waiting for homes. The thought of them feeling abandoned again, even for a minute, was something I just couldn't stand or do to them.

Cats are especially prone to stress, too. It can come out physically. One of the docs I use refers to it as their being 'a delicate flower.' And he strives to be careful not to upset their balance too much when treating them. Sometimes they have to just back off for that reason.

Auntjen, Parma, Sheesharee, Squirrel, Natal & Deedee...thanks for all the great feedback! I feel so fortunate to have heard from each of you because I know how sincerely y'all care about animals. Squirrel, the pic you posted is adorable too!

I just got home a short while ago from running errands, one of which was stopping by Petsmart. I couldn't believe my eyes. The so called "kitty condo" was a glorified cage, 2 ft. wide by 3 ft. high. Food & litter were inches apart. I will give credit where it is due. It was clean, but that's all I can say for it.

Before I sat down to see if anyone responded to my post, I placed a call to a pet sitting service that was listed in our newspaper on one of those "Best of..." lists. I had to leave a message on her voicemail. When I was reading your responses, she called back & we have a "meet & greet" scheduled for tomorrow afternoon.

Again, thank you all so much.

Auntjen, I know you have several cats & you still manage to make it to Cabo, so you show me it can be done.

Parma, it seems like you've already been away since you've had Arwen, & are planning another trip soon. As you pointed out, she's probably not crazy about you leaving, but she survived!

Sheesharee thanks for sharing your experience & interest!

Squirrel, your words are a good reminder..."mom comes home...this IS only temporary." You make a lot of very keen observations.

Natal, it seems like the people Jasmine feels good about would probably never have the time, plus, this upcoming trip is over a holiday & I hate to ask! This sitter I called is willing to work on Thanksgiving though, IF I book pretty soon. She said she has only a few more slots open as the holidays fill up early & fast.

Deedee, all good points.

Here is a link that might be useful: Pet sitter

Hopefully, she'll get used to someone else taking care of her so you can go on your trip, and others as they come up. Just remember to hide the keys when you leave -- you know how mischievous they can be!

{{gwi:1520653}}

LMAO, Squirrel!

But wait - there's more.

{{gwi:1520654}}

lol! Jasmine's Journeys ..... I guess that was the she-it part.

OMG, Squirrel, that's too funny! Do you remember on SNL, Toonces, the driving cat? When my dh drives, sometimes I say, "That was something Toonces would do" or "You went to Toonces' driving school!"

Every time I look at that pic I lol! Thanks, I needed that!

Oh, Auntjen, I just saw a red x at first, but now I see the image! Perfect follow-up to Squirrel! So cute!

Why am I worried? Jasmine will be having the time of her life as she hits the road after I leave!

Jasmine sounds just like my Rex. When company comes over, she goes under the bed and stays until they're gone.

But I also agree to let the same sitter watch Jasmine. The sitter won't be a stranger then. It's best to use one person so the cat can get used to them. Like a human babysitter. :)

Heads up on the liquor cabinet, too. Kids will be kids, ya know!

{{gwi:1520655}}

{{gwi:1520656}}

{{gwi:1520657}}

{{gwi:1520658}}

{{gwi:1520659}}

Hi Oakley! Yes, if this sitter works out, I want to stick with her. I would love to have someone I could count on so I could make travel plans from time to time.

Squirrel, I told Jas that it was o.k. to drink as long as she didn't also drive. Which leads to the second batch of photos. Surely a rowdy group of party animals will be over to the house for a wild, mad-cap evening that could only be possible while the parents are away. They just better clean up before we get home!

Great pics, Squirrel!

{{gwi:1520660}}

Those cartoons are hilarious.....I must share them with Grace, my kitty...she'll love them too. She likes to sit here on the computer desk quite often while I am doing this.

haha.

Back at the pad now. Soup's on.

{{gwi:1520663}}

{{gwi:1520664}}

{{gwi:1520667}}

{{gwi:1520668}}

Met the sitter & her assistant today. Both seemed nice, organized & professional. Paid in advance (that's her policy) but I still have an out as long as I give her 14 days notice.

Squirrel, are you SURE I'm doing the right thing? These photos clearly demonstrate the havoc cats can wreak if left home alone!

Another vote for a petsitter vs. boarding. We've managed to travel a decent amount over the years and have never boarded any of our crew. At the max, we had 3 labs and 4 cats all at one time. I have always used a petsitter. We have just engaged our newest, a technician from our vet's office. It works well for us as I don't want my pets home alone overnight and I don't want to send them off to a boarding situation. Cats are so easily stressed. Use your instinct. If the petsitter seems in any way off to you, find another. Friends, family or your vet are great sources for finding a really great petsitter.

Best of luck!

haha, Stinky. She'll be fine and get used to the routine, maybe even finding a way to enjoy herself as usual, until her family returns once again.

I've had sitters stop in once a day for as long as a couple of weeks with no problems. I knew someone who would go away for months and would have a sitter stay over to watch both the dog and the house. That can be more reassuring for an aged animal, say, or one who has health problems.

{{gwi:1520669}}

Work in progress, thanks for sharing your experience & good wishes. Sounds like you certainly have "been there & done that!" I feel encouraged!

Squirrel... the end, indeed. Your flair for the dramatic is still alive & well after your years in the theater. "Jasmine's Journey's..." I can see it on Broadway. I'll start thinking about who could play Jasmine.

Gotta have some fun. Cats are a riot.

I just looked up Toonces. Don't recall seeing that skit. I love Steve Martin. He always cracks me up.

That might actually be the look on her face when you tell her you're going away, lol.

Does your cat have a favorite room. You could set it up for the duration and let the sitter visit her in there to get aquainted. There is also the option of tranqulizers, but they can have an opposite affect. So I'm not a fan of this. Also, someone uses pheraphone (sp?) outlet defusers ane swears by them for calming animals.

I would rather my kitties be home than boarded. Was on a 2 week trip and set up everything needed all around the house. Mostly in the garage which they had access to. There were two which I think helps with the loss of their parents, but they did fine alone. A neighbor did check in on them a few times though, but nothing was needed.

Toonces rules.

Here is a link that might be useful: Youtube

Squirrel, loved the pic of the cat on the flatscreen TV! Just the other day Lizzie was sitting next to the Tv giving it the "eye." Scared me to death! Good job on the pictures. :)

I'm coming in late to this thread and I see you've maybe found someone already. I hope your kitty does well with her. I tried boarding once and never again. We have a kitty with similar stranger anxieties. Once we found one that she really clicked with...she is worth every single penny. She doesn't just come in and pour food, scoop the litter and leave. She takes alot of time to talk to her and make her feel comfortable. Mine are indoor only but occassionally step outside to eat a blade of grass for 5 min. This sitter took the time to sit outside with my kitty and play with her! She would write a note about how the visit went each day and leaves catnip as a present. I could go on and on...she's the best! I hope you found a good one too!

Thanks for the Toonces clip, Parma! Dh & I are his biggest fans. So funny!

Lindybarts, thanks for your reply. Yes, hope I'm half as fortunate as you w/this sitter! Appreciate your good wishes for us.

Here's Miss Jasmine, feeling blue cause mom & dad are talking about going away at Thanksgiving:

Here is a link that might be useful: {{gwi:1520651}}

Oh no, lol. She looks quite a bit like one of my girls. Maybe a bit trimmer. At 12 it might not be such a good idea, but two cats are great company for each other. Especially when Mom can't be there all the time!

Your trip is pretty short, so that's good.

Jasmine's a chubby little thing, lol. Good to hear the meet & greet went well. Did Jasmine approve?

Squirrel, she looks like ONE of your girls, how many cats do you have?

Natal, it's all fur! She's actually fairly petite. Everyone in our house is a shrimp!

I think Jas did approve. Somewhat. She actually stuck around for a few minutes. She was sitting on a chair in the living room & was fine with the two of them speaking to me in the entry hall. She looked over at us & seemed completely undisturbed. Normally, visitors just walking into the house would be enough to send her packing. But, when we decided to join her in the LR, she made a hasty exit to the 2nd floor. Thanks for asking, Natal!

I really appreciate everyone's feedback. I feel much calmer & more at ease with the whole scenario, thanks to all the responses (& fun pics) I've received here.

Stinky, this is my girl (one of two) on the left. She is totally *not fluff, lol. Solid and shaped like a concrete block and cute as a button that way! Kitty on the right is her hubby and best friend. These are pics from when they first moved in, in isolation. I got them from a rescue where they had fallen in love : ) They both were there for 1-1/2 years, both timid and unadopted. They spent their honeymoon under a table in the corner, hiding behind a box, lol. Shredding away! They love each other so much. It's such great fun and I'm always so happy I could keep these two together. I wish she photographed better, as she has the sweetest expressions I'd love to capture on film. She used to be afraid to look at people but now it's her thing! Totally into the come hither looks over her shoulder, lol.

{{gwi:1520670}}

{{gwi:1520671}}

Oh, sorry, I have four cats. Our king died a year ago. I usually have four or five at a time, usually adopting older kitties. I've only had one really young kitten, while on my own, and he was hanging around the garbage dump, lol. A wild child that one was!

Does it make sense to take her with you?

Squirrel, thanks so much for posting the pics. They are adorable. Wow! The kitty on the left really does look like Jasmine! They could be from the same litter! I love the golden rim around the eyes & the white fur down the front. They have very similar coloring, markings & eyes...amazing!

Sorry that you lost a cat last year. That's so hard. Your babies are so lucky to have you, & I know you feel very fortunate to have them in your life.

Jamies, I don't think Jas would take too well to air travel. Also, once we're in NY, we'll be staying in a very full, somewhat chaotic house (lots of kids, lots of toys & games, lots of music & computers & tv's...lots of everything) which would be over-stimulating for a cat used to a very quiet, laid-back lifestyle.

But, thanks for your reply. Appreciate it!