So, I had to go out of town for a week on a business trip and, of course, I couldn’t take my little furball, Mittens, with me. This meant I had to figure out what to do with her while I was gone. I mean, I love my cat, but she’s a bit of a homebody, you know? She’s not exactly the adventurous type.
First, I asked my neighbor, Mrs. Henderson, if she could possibly look after Mittens. She’s a sweet old lady, but she already has her hands full with her own two pugs. So, that was a no-go. I considered a few friends, but none of them were really in a position to cat-sit for a whole week. One’s allergic, another is never home, and the third, well, let’s just say he’s not the most responsible person I know.
This left me with one option: boarding. Now, I’d never boarded Mittens before, so I was a bit nervous. I started Googling “cat boarding near me” and a whole bunch of places popped up. I read some reviews, checked out their websites, and narrowed it down to three places that seemed decent.
The first place, “Purrfect Paws,” sounded fancy, but when I called, they quoted me $40 a night! For a week, that was way out of my budget. The second place, “The Cat’s Meow,” was a bit more reasonable at $30 a night, but they had some mixed reviews online. Some people loved it, others had some complaints about cleanliness. Finally, I called “Cozy Cat Corner.” They were priced at $25 a night, and the lady I spoke to, Sarah, sounded really nice and knowledgeable.
I decided to go with Cozy Cat Corner. Sarah explained that they had individual “kitty condos” with climbing shelves and window perches. They also had a communal playroom where the cats could socialize if they wanted to. It sounded pretty good, and the price was right, so I booked Mittens in for the week.
When I dropped her off, I was actually impressed. The place was clean, the staff was friendly, and the other cats seemed pretty chill. They even had a little webcam setup so I could check in on Mittens during the day! It was a relief to see she was doing okay, though she mostly just slept in her little condo. I did notice a fee of $5 each time they gave her medicine, as she has some health issues.
I called the boarding place almost every day, and they were very kind. They always gave me updates about her appetite and activities.
In the end, boarding Mittens for the week cost me around $200, including a few extra charges for administering her medication. It wasn’t cheap, but it was worth it for the peace of mind. I knew she was safe, well-fed, and getting the care she needed. I wouldn’t hesitate to board her again at Cozy Cat Corner. It turned out to be a good experience for both of us. Though I did miss her terribly, I know she prefers to stay at home over traveling with me. Airlines seem to have a fee of $100 to $200 just for one way. I don’t want to put her through that stress.
Key takeaways:
- Tried asking a neighbor and friends first, but that didn’t work out.
- Researched local cat boarding facilities online.
- Compared prices and services of three different places.
- Chose a boarding facility based on price, reviews, and a phone conversation.
- Was able to check in on my cat via webcam during her stay.
- Total cost was around $200 for a week, including some extra fees.