Pet Sitting for Philadelphia Pets! 

I bought two Emery Cat scratching boards for my cats. I put each on the board and went through the scratching motions like one is suppose to; no interest. My two kittens still want to scratch on my laundry basket and my older cat isn’t interested yet. I’m thinking that they will just start on their on like with other things. I even put the cat nip on it, and you know what that usually does for a cat.

Put them away for a couple of days so the cats forget about them. Bring them out after that but don’t make a fuss. Just place them somewhere and ignore them. The cats will be curious and check it out. The biggest mistake people make when getting new things for their cats is to make a fuss or force them to use it. It makes the cat think something is up and they won’t touch it.

I haven’t personally used those so I don’t know what the texture, etc is. They look similar to the cardboard scratchers my cats have (and love). If the surface is too stiff, they may not like it. All you can do is try. Finding the right products for cat’s likes/dislikes is a trial and error process. Sometimes you win, sometimes you lose. If your cats don’t go for these, try the cardboard ones or a sisal post. A good tall cat tree is the most appealing because they can jump and play on it too. My cats love theirs.

For the scratching board, do you need to replace it? I would think that the base would be left alone, but I saw on the commercial that you insert the emery cat board into the base. So it looks like to me that you would need to replace it later on. One other question, does it really work?

Yes it works! Both of our cats love it. You can replace the board but ours is holding up pretty well actually. Plus we got the BOGO special so we have a backup. http://track.base32.com/emerycat

When im older, I want to open my own dog and cat boarding place as well as part of it being a rescue. The kennels i want to be indoor/outdoor. The inside will be like 4×4 and have a door to go outside to a 4×5 or something. And during the day they will be outside playing with each other in big fenced in fields. How many kennels should i have for boarding?? And then the cats will be in cages inside. And then during the day they will be let into big rooms (or fenced in outdoor area) to play. How many cat cages should i have? And then i want to have one big fenced in area and have a doggie day where they will stay there all day and play.

And then i want to have a section for dogs and cats that i would save from being put to sleep at pounds and then i would adopt them out, etc.. How many dog kennels should i have for them? How many cat cages?

Also, how many fenced in areas should i have for all this and how big??

Please give me any advise you may have. Thankss!!
Ohh, and I also wanted to have a basic training thing where the dog would stay there for a certain amount of time for training and stuff. So how many kennels should i have for that?

Also, how many people should i hire? I was thinking maybe me and one or two more people?

Let me know. Thanks!!!!
I would charge $25 a day per dog and $20 for additional dogs. (or $20 a day per dog if they are staying there more than two weeks?)

I would charge $15 a day per cat and $10 for additional cats. (or $10 a day per cat if they are staying for more than two weeks?)

I would charge $15 a day for doggie daycare. (if they make a plan to come everyday or almost everyday then only $10 a day?)

I would also do bath and brush which would be $15 a dog and $10 a cat? And clip nails for $5?

And then the basic training would be $300 and they would stay for one month.

Let me know what you think! Thanks!!

It completely depends on the size of the rental building (or the size of the building you purchase). You’ll need to work with the plumbing in the building also, to add in sinks and water supplies.

I dunno, because the people there told me they had to hand-feed her because she wouldn’t eat and that she was very stressed…

But still, she was also dirty from running outside on their cat-playground…

Is there some way I can get my money back? OR should I be understanding that my cat was stressed and they could do nothing about it?

Cats do not do well in kennels, getting an in home sitter or using a pet sitter who keeps them at their place is best. The kennel tried to hand feed your pet. They did their best. Did you leave a phone number they could reach you at? Did you call them during the time you were away? Did they have a vet on staff in case of emergencies? DId you leave your vet’s number with them?

I dunno, because the people there told me they had to hand-feed her because she wouldn’t eat and that she was very stressed…

But still, she was also dirty from running outside on their cat-playground…

Is there some way I can get my money back? OR should I be understanding that my cat was stressed and they could do nothing about it?

Cats do not do well in kennels, getting an in home sitter or using a pet sitter who keeps them at their place is best. The kennel tried to hand feed your pet. They did their best. Did you leave a phone number they could reach you at? Did you call them during the time you were away? Did they have a vet on staff in case of emergencies? DId you leave your vet’s number with them?

I’m going to a class reunion for three days next week, and don’t know if I should leave my cat home alone or if I should take her to a boarding kennel…If I leave her alone, I’m afraid she might get too bored or get worried if I’m gone so long, but if I take her to a kennel I’m worried that she will be traumatized by the change of environment…suggestions??
Good point, I think I’ll have my mother in law stop by to check on her…thanks guys!

She’ll be much more comfy at home. Have someone come in to scoop the litter box and freshen her food and water a couple of times while you’re gone. I left my cats at home for a week while my family went on vacay and they did fine with someone coming once a day. If you don’t have a friend or relative to come, check with your vet about pet sitter references. Around here they charge $10-15 a trip.

My Cat tries to play rough with us all the time. If she had another playmate (cat) Would that help?

You don’t say how old your cat is. I have 3 cats and 2 dogs all adopted at different times. They find their way. The younger the animal the easier it is. My 20 year old Persian has grown up with dogs and other animals in our life. He is not intimidated by anyone and will hop on the bed with two dogs on it to get his cuddles. My other two cats are a little more cautious, but won’t miss a cuddle opportunity for anyone.

I have explained to my dogs that cats rule with sharp claws and they should respect felines. They seem to have understood and we all coexist well.

If you introduce a new pet, do it gradually and with a watchful eye. Get a crate so you can separate the two if necessary. They will find a way eventually and will become good friends.
Your life will be easier with more pets, believe it or not!

I hope I helped!

I know cats need shots to go to a boarding facilitie but my cat is two years old and has never got shots. will the boardiing facilitie let my cat in if it get s shots now???

Yes, if you get all the doses of distemper (usually 2-3 doses) and also a rabies shot. Most boarding facilities also require FeLV shots and sometimes FIV also.

or should I take his PS3? He said he learn that by watching videos on youtube.

This just made my day. Enlist him for the introductionary course to enroll into the CIA. If he has no scrupules at age 10, he’s a good candidate to either become a mass murderer or a politician

sue us if my cat scratches or bites them badly (the people or the cats/dogs). Also do they provide a bed or something for them to sleep in?
I can’t leave my cat at home for 9 days. I don’t have anyone that will come check up on her. And she gets really lonely. :[

No they wont’ sue you. Even sociable cats can turn out to be stressed or territorial when in a boarding cattery, so the staff should be used to that and have some understanding of cat behaviour. My cat once bit the owner of a cattery but they understood that it was just because he was being territorial. They actually have a glove they put on if they need to handle aggressive cats.

There shouldnt be an issue with your cat scratching or biting another animal as there should be no mixing of pets. Don’t leave your cat anywhere that has communal areas. That is not hygienic and here in the UK any cattery that had communal areas would not get a licence. Check out the cattery before you leave your cat there and make sure the individual kennels have sneeze barriers between them and that cats do not come into contact with each other.

Most places will supply a bed but you can usually take stuff from home along to make your cat feel more at home. You can also usually take toys etc. and it’s a good idea to take along an old (worn and unwashed) T shirt or something that has your scent on it, as that will help your cat feel less anxious. I take a lot of things from home when I take my cats to a boarding cattery (beds, blankets, toys, scratching post etc), but check with the place you’re leaving as to how much stuff you can take