Conference misery::feline_v1

Gee, Lisa, that's awful!!   I've only boarded at my vet's (when Meg spent a
week in the maternity ward), so I don't have any horror stories, but it
reminded me of when I had Honey neutered.  I had taken him in that morning
and had brought his blankie, a wool glove of mine that he was particularly
fond of, one of my socks, just in case he got lonely (talk about a worrying
new Mom, eh??).  When I picked him up, he was lying on top of his very wet
blankie (and did it stink!!) and he had my glove and sock tucked underneath 
him.  He looked up at me, still groggy, and cried his eyes out.  My vet
pointed out the nice, dry, fluffy towels in the cage and the nice clean
litter box but Honey just wasn't interested.  They had attempted to take
away the wet things, but he screamed his head off and tried to bite the
poor vet assistant!  I felt so awful, I cried all the way home.  I guess 
Honey, at 8 months old, was already an expert at laying on the guilt trip!

But is sounds like your two were just plain abused.  Poor babies!  I hope
they are readjusting well.

Mary

    Just a thought on boarding any pet....
    A drop in unannounced visit prior to a pet's
    stay may let you know the REAL type of place
    it is.  It would also give you time to find another
    place if what you see is not what you want.
    
    
    
    Lynne
    

    
    Lisa,
    
    All catteries in the UK have to be licensed under the Animal Boarding
    Establishments Act of 1963. The licence is issued by the local
    authority.
    
    Licences are issued annually on payment of a fee, the onus for regular
    inspection is placed upon the local Environmental Health Officer. Any
    complaint should be addressed to him.
    
    It might be worth having a word with the local RSPCA Inspector as well,
    he might be interested.
    
    Maybe we ought to have a note in here for "recommended" UK boarding
    catteries
    
    Best of luck
    
    Geoff

    Re : .3
    
    Good idea - I'll phone them today. Thanks!
    
    Re : .2
    
    I have taken my cats to this cattery for the last year without problems.
    I looked at ALL the catteries in and around Newbury and this WAS the
    best. I think they should have said the place was about to change hands
    when I phoned to book them in. I booked them in in Novemeber and the
    usual people were still there, it changed hands on December 1st. We will
    be very careful in future tho' ! I will ask when I book them in if it's
    about to change hands!! I moved house in August and thought that I was
    doing them a favour by travelling 15 miles to the cattery. Their m,ust
    be one closer to home!
    
    Perhaps I'll put a note in asking for recommendations ......
    
    
    Lisa plus P&P who still aren't eating properly but are happy to be home!
    
    

    I have just called the Environmental health department - they are
    calling me back later today. Sounds like they are going to send 
    an inspector out to take a look. It's all been too easy - I
    thought you had to fight for this kind of attention!
    
    I can't wait to get home and tell Percy and Pookie! Maybe they'll
    start eating properly again :-), otherwise its down to the vet :-( .
    
    
    Lisa plus Percy and Pookie.
    

    So pleased to hear that it took so little to get them to investigate. 
    How much did they charge you for this cat-hell?  You should maybe look into
    asking for your money back - but maybe it's better to wait for the
    inspector's opinion first - that way it'll give you more clout if he
    finds it as bad as Percy and Pookie.
    
    Ruthie, Sophie and Henrietta. (who have so far always stayed with their
    grandmummy whilst we've been away, but may have to stay in a cattery
    next time if they continue to peel off the wallpaper...)
                                       

    It cost #50.42 for 7 days. I don't want to fuss about getting my
    money back - I just want to make sure they get shut down or forced
    to improve the conditions. The inspector just called me - she is
    going to inspect there tomorrow. I'll keep you posted!
    
    Lisa plus P&P.
    
    

    The Environmental Health Officer just called. The cattery was inspected
    yesterday. They found the place damp and smelly. Only two cats were
    boarding, but the windows were streaming with water and the whole
    place was damp. The reason for the unpleasant odour when P&P were
    there was down to the cat litter apparently - they use sawdust which
    is scooped twice a day into an OPEN dustbin which is left in the 
    building. Yuk. The previous owners used fullers earth - no pong.
    
    Anyway, the inspector didn't like what she saw. Unfortunately, there
    is nothing that can be done. They are NOT breaking the law and that
    is that. On the positive side, the new owners are keen to keep
    the reputation high, so they asked for advice and will be installing
    a ventillation system and new heating.
    
    Not exactly a great outcome, but better than a poke in the eye with
    a sharp stick! The inspector told me to call her when I find a new
    cattery - they can comment if asked specific questions about a 
    cattery. What they can't do is make recommendations. So I'll be
    out this weekend looking at catteries - I will be asking if they
    plan to move on in the near future!
    
    Percy and Pookie are now eating almost as much as before and are looking
    healthy and happy. We are going away for a few days soon, but luckily,
    we have a neighbour who will come and look after them!
    
    
    Hope the two cats in the cattery get taken home SOON .....
    
    
    Lisa plus Percy and Pookie who don't like condensation!
    
    

Lisa,

I'm sorry to hear of your experience.

I haven't time to read all the other replies at the moment so I might be 
repeating what others have said ......

ANYONE can set up a cattery - there is no law for this at all. There is only a 
code of practice and a fairly rigourous one at that. Unfortunately you fell foul 
of a change of ownership and I would report this to the RSPCA immediately in 
case the new people are trading on a certificate given earlier to the old 
owners. This certificate would come from the association of cattery owners and 
there is some way they go round and examine these places before they give out 
the certificates. There is also a list of questions you should ask every time 
you make a booking - I'll try to find these out from my sister who is heavily in 
to these things and also ask her what you should do about the cattery in 
question.

Do try the CEEFER Cattery in Streatley next time - my two always go there and 
are very happy. Don't hesitate to go in person each time you make the booking - 
a fag but important if you want to be sure each time that everything is as it 
was the last time your animals were there.

Avril

Lisa,

Something I should have added in my note is that catteries do have to have 
licenses but the licence is not really in the interests of the animals but 
whether the establishment is in any way going to conflict with the interests of   
anything else in the area. I should say that in the case that you have mentioned 
it can't be too nice for the neighbours - therefore try Environmental Health 
Officer.

Avril

    Avril,
    
    
    I did contact the environmental health officer - see previous replies.
    They do need a license too. The license was renewed mid-December
    because it has to be when the place changes hands. The license is
    issued by the local council - from the environmetal health department.
    
    (sp. environmental!)
    
    
    By the way, the inspector will be visiting again soon to see if
    conditions have improved that's why I didn't contact the RSPCA. Do
    you think I should - I can't help thinking that's a bit over the top?
    
    Lisa plus P&P.
    

    I think you did the right thing in contacting the environmental people,
    Lisa.  It won't help Pookie and Percy, but at least other cats will
    benefit from new ventilation etc.
    
    But I'm still appalled to think that they aren't breaking the law!
    
    Karen and Georgie (who came home from Christmas in the cattery extremely
                       happy and complete with his very own pressie)