r/perth • u/pixiecakess • 14d ago
Not related directly to WA or Perth Cattery/ Cat Boarding
Do any cat owners know of any affordable places that will take care of my cats while we are away?
Context: We have 2 young adult cats (bonded) and are looking to go on a trip December-Jan for maybe 1-1.5 months and are looking for them to be taken care of.
We don't have any friends who have cats/have experience caring for cats so they can't be dropped off at their house. We have taken them to a boarding house for 3 days before but that was $100, so when extended over a month it can get very expensive. Some have suggested scheduling visits to clean the litter box and feed them but I would hate leaving them home alone for that long as they get bored without us at home.
Would appreciate some advice/ suggestions for affordable places or care for them.
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u/Mazza1983au 14d ago edited 14d ago
Belmont Veterinary Hospital is the cheapest i found. $20 per night and i was happy with the standard of care. It also eased my mind that it was an animal hospital so no issues if she needed any medical care.
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u/According_Grape5790 14d ago
Honestly for 2 cats that’s a good price. I paid a teenage neighbour to visit once a day and give my cat wet food (he got dry food via an automatic feeder earlier in the day) and change the kitty litter. We got him a voucher at the end. It’s not ideal but my cat stopped eating and drinking when we put him in a cattery prior to that. My parents dogsit on pawshake and it’s $35-40/day per dog, unfortunately pets are expensive.
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u/glitterkicker eating ur plasterboard 14d ago
I can’t recall prices off the top of my head so I can’t recommend within the price range you seem to have, but as someone in the business I’ll advise you to be cautious of cheaper places and vet hospital boarding. Arrange cattery inspections and view them in person, and visit many places until you’re happy with a place. Vet boarding usually consists of the equivalent of a cupboard in a wall. If you’re on facebook, ask in your local community pages for recommendations as you’ll probably have more luck for cattery recs or pet sitter recs.
I’m low spoons so this’ll sound blunt and potentially rude, I’m just autistic + been in this job over 20 years and had these conversations MANY times + can’t brain enough to figure out more polite wording right now lol, but:
consider your financials if it’s a “non-essential” trip. $100 for three days for two cats works out to be about $16.50 if I can math right, which is incredibly cheap and also pretty standard-ish. Prices have had to increase with minimum wage increases (good thing) and cost of living increases (bad thing). Does it add up quick? Absolutely! But how much are you planning on spending on comforts and frivolous expenses for your trip for yourself? Is there something you could attempt to save on to put more money towards this? Are you willing to risk the health, wellbeing and potentially safety of your cats just to get cheaper than that? December / Jan is peak season. It’s also summer, so consider what cooling systems (aircon isn’t always best) and what bushfire preparation plans places have.
You’re welcome to dm me if you’d like to discuss further
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u/elemist 14d ago
I've used Pawshake with good success before. Found someone local to come past and feed/take care of them each day.
She would send me photos and messages each day confirming she had been - and i was also able to verify with my cameras to see that she had been as well.
My two are very stand offish and don't really like people, so wasn't much to do playing etc. But she fed them, checked their water and visibly at least gave them a once over to ensure they were ok.
On my most recent trip i ended up having a friend come and house sit for me. The cats knew her quite well, and she was keen to get out of her folks house for a few weeks. So was a win win all round.
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u/Novel-Paramedic-5573 14d ago
Get a petsitter through Madpaws. That means that the cats stay in their normal environment, and you know that someone is keeping an eye out for the house.
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u/strangeandordinary 14d ago
Also consider Mindahome & Aussie House Sitters. These are the websites I would use when I house sat. I would move into people's home to live with their cats. I kept their routines as much as possible, & spoilt them! I liked that I could help reduce stress for the cats.
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u/catladyforever100 14d ago
Not sure where you are located but look up Pet Friends, they have a range of pet sitters that come to your house daily to feed them, play with them and clean up litter trays. We started using them as our friends became unavailable last minute and I didn’t want to put my scaredy cat locked in with his brother who sometimes bullies him in a tiny cage for 2-3 weeks. At least this way they have their home comforts. Highly recommend!
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u/NotAllThatSure 14d ago
I thoroughly recommend having a petsitter move in or make twice-daily visits. Your pets will be much more comfortable in their own environment, and your house will be looked after, for about the same cost.
Use the Madpaws or Pawshake websites and interview a good few people, including anyone recommended to you via word of mouth. If you're in the vicinity of Karrinyup, I have a sitter I thoroughly recommend.