Cats and Dogs

[munitalP]

I thought we could get this going to help a few AFFers out!

Most of the AFF members I know personally travel for work, but every now and again we travel for pleasure and that generally means finding somewhere for the pets to live while we are away.

When my dog was still with us, I had a "special" kennel we would leave her where I knew she was being treated V well - even if I did pay a 75% premium! Now with her gone, it's the two cats I have to look after - well someone else looks after anyhow!

My basic principle of finding a kennel (and cattery) was to ask a couple of local vets for a recommendation. Our first when we lived in SE Melbourne was a little out of the way, but an absolute treat for the pooch who loved going there - homestead kennels

When we moved to the opposite side of Melbourne, the same principle applied, contact a heap of vets, get recommendations and take it from there. Our choice was to drive as far as Lara and use Elcho Park kennels. They also looked after my dog wonderfully!

With the cats, we have found a cattery very close to MEL - so on our way to fly, we drop in and deliver the moggies. I cant find a website for these guys, but if interested, PM me and I'll send you their phone number.

munitalP

 

[simongr]

We have our two booked into Meadow Mist - they get their own suite... We will post a review when we get back from AKL and they have had their little holiday...

We have used Hanrob in Sydney's south where they also have suites... That was good but much too far for us to take them this time.

 

[docjames]

Great thread munitalP. :mrgreen:

At the risk of no availability when we need to send our dog to the "luxury pet resort", i can HIGHLY recommend Samford Pet Resort

Welcome to Samford Pet Resort, Brisbane's Leading Boarding Kennel


Our dog always comes back healthy and smiling, and they do seem to care for him very very well. They also have a pickup service (included in price) from various vets around Brisbane.

(Disclosure: No conflict of interest, shareholding or association of any kind with above named pet resort!)

 

[haydensydney]

My partner and I are lucky enough to have an obliging friend that is willing to come and house/cat sit during our holidays... the cats aren't put under duress, the house is looked after and our friend gets quite a nice pad to call his own for the duration were away.

Haven't had the opportunity to test a kennell/cattery yet, but would love to hear from anyone with good suggestions around the greater SYD area...

 

[Homer]

Haven't had the opportunity to test a kennell/cattery yet, but would love to hear from anyone with good suggestions around the greater SYD area...

When our dear old cat Charlie (our first “child”) was still alive we preferred to have him board with his vet. Some of the better vets have excellent cat boarding facilities and our particular one, at Russell Lea, was better than home for our boy. This typically doesn’t apply to dogs, perhaps because they need more space or perhaps because they make more noise, so you get a nice little cat-exclusive zone for your pet’s every indulgence. This particular vet even used to take him into a candle-lit room with soothing music playing and give him a massage! So my tip - if you ever need to board your cat - is to ask your vet or find a local one with good facilities. I think it’s far better than driving out to the boondocks. Just check that your chosen vet actually boards them on premises. A lot of the vets in Sydney have a daily pickup/dropoff service by Hanrob or others and even though you think your precious pet is staying with them they can be shipped out to a big facility somewhere.

 

[JetLagged]

We have our two booked into Meadow Mist - they get their own suite...

Simon - two of our dogs now have made use of MeadowMist - they simply love their time there (our first dog often didn't want to come home - he so enjoyed 'puppy play time'). They are Very well looked after, their suites are spotlessly clean, you are asked to advise what they prefer to eat and sleep on, and even encourage you to send your loved ones emails and pics while you are away - such as a fire hydrant in New York, or a tree in Paris!

Unfortunately, Middie (the cat) didn't enjoy her time in the cattery - even though it was definitely 5* accommodation. But she's not very sociable....

MeadowMist was recommended to us by a friend who is a vet (as per original post recommendation) and endorse that sugesstion - and Meadow Mist - 125%!

PS MeadowMist is in Western Sydney - near Riverstone - quiet country area and air!

 

[bam71]

Zelda the wonderdog ( our Staffie) comes with us to Port Douglas. 10 Flights so far. She doesn't really mind it but doesn't really like the smell of jetfuel knowing she'll be put into a cage.

 

[simongr]

Thanks JetLagged - that is great news and a great relief

 

[equus]

Great thread munitalP. :mrgreen:

At the risk of no availability when we need to send our dog to the "luxury pet resort", i can HIGHLY recommend Samford Pet Resort

I can second both sentiments. Highly recommended, but availability is getting to be a problem. Basically fully booked out for Christmas already (our 2 pooches are regular enough that the staff recognise their coats and know which dogs are arriving!)

 

[MissBurrill]

Our girls stop at Barbara's pet resort where they have a flat screen tv, heating/ac and a private yard to play in during the day. Barbara is about 5 minutes north of Batemans Bay (south coast NSW).

One doggie who is staying long term comes from Canberra. Barbara said her family said they were not happy with the Canberra kennels, especially the one that refused to let them see the kennel area.

 

[nlagalle]

My cat gets looked after rather well when we go away. I bundle her off to my parents place around the corner and she happily sets up home there. THere is no issue with her moving house (some cats can run away back home).

She is a people cat and very friendly a a bit stupid, hence the name Ditzy..Although i really wanted to call her Dim Sim as the night we brought her home from the RSPCA she tried not once but twice to jump into the oven while it was on!!! That and the fact she used to sunbake in the middle of the road, oh and tried to follow me onto a train one morning!!

 

[GCC]

We have a cat who stays home and a dog who comes with us as luggage when possible (he weighs 7kg). Instead of boarding we use a pet sitting service based in Sydney Northern beaches. Cheaper than any boarding option, pets are much happier, and someone keeps an eye on the house.

 

[11sjw]

and here I thought this would be about the Essendon Football club's membership profile..

Our Westie goes to a Kennel while we're away, it's run by his breeder so hopefully there is some familiarity there. Just another expense to factor into the Holiday!!

 

[blueflamenco]

Does anyone know of a cattery that specifically caters to indoor only cats?

 

[Cocitus23]

Does anyone know of a cattery that specifically caters to indoor only cats?

Hi blueflamenco,

I don't know where you are located, but if you are near Melbourne I can highly recommend the Cooinda Cat Resort at the back of Frankston (Melway 107 F1). They seem to cater for every sort of cat.

Cocitus23.

 

[munitalP]

Does anyone know of a cattery that specifically caters to indoor only cats?

Sorry blue, I can't remember where you are from, if Melbourne and frankston is too far away, the cattery we use is indoor cat specialists. Our moggies spend 90% of their lives indoors, I have a lot of respect for local birdlife...

Pm me if you want

munitalP

 

[crazydave98]

Haven't had the opportunity to test a kennell/cattery yet, but would love to hear from anyone with good suggestions around the greater SYD area...

We use Hanrob (mentioned by simongr) who pick our Boxer up from the local vet and deliver him there afterwards. They are located in Waterfall but I believe they do pickups from vets all across the greater SYD area.

We also have a dog walker based in Balmain who pops in to feed our cat when we are away as well as walking our dog when away on day trips - happy to provide contact details

 

[simongr]

We have a cat who stays home and a dog who comes with us as luggage when possible (he weighs 7kg). Instead of boarding we use a pet sitting service based in Sydney Northern beaches. Cheaper than any boarding option, pets are much happier, and someone keeps an eye on the house.

Do you have any details on this? It is something we would like to explore as well as the dogs get older.

 

[Saab34]

munitalP, have you looked at Lara Cattery? The place is just amazing, and people even send their cats from overseas to stay here. They even get their own outdoor area and heat lamp, its like a 5 star hotel for the cats

 

[munitalP]

munitalP, have you looked at Lara Cattery? The place is just amazing, and people even send their cats from overseas to stay here. They even get their own outdoor area and heat lamp, its like a 5 star hotel for the cats

Will do, thanks

munitalP