Ragdoll Cat Forums

Hi Everyone,

We will be going on holidays in April for 2 weeks. Charlie will have to go to a kennel during this time. Before we moved we had someone that would house sit for us but that isn't an option now. Charlie is 9 months now. The breeder took him to get his Rhinotracheitis, Calicivirus, Panleukopenia, and Chlamydia shots.

He never did get Leukemia, FIP or Rabbies. I can't remember what the breeder said about not getting these shots. Are they hard on them?

My question, after a long explanation, should I be worried about Charlie not having any of these shots before going to the kennel. The kennel is nice but very country style. The lady that runs it lets her farm cats wander around. Charlie would have his own kennel but can still smell and touch the other cats through the slats.

Thanks for your help

Have you checked the internet to see if there are bonded and insured pet sitters that serve your area.

Do not get the so called FIP shot.

Talk to your vet about the FeLV shot. You may be in that rare group where it is desirable - a kitten being boarded with possible outdoor cat exposure.

Talk to the the vet about rabies too. If you area is one where it is required, then definitely get it. It can be hard on kittens and we prefer to wait to give it, but it should be given before boarding or exposure to other cats. Give shots one vet visit at a time and at least a couple of weeks between if possible, so plan ahead.

I would be very concerned about having my cat boarded where other outside cats can come face to face with them, even through the caging. I have an outdoor cat, and I have an enclosed deck where my girls can go out. Still I have put up wood to cover the areas of the deck where it would be possible for my outdoor cat to come face to face through the screen with my girls. I don't want to take the chance that he will pass something along to them although I have him vaccinated for EVERYTHING with the exception of FIP. I would really look around for someone who might do some pet sitting. Ask friends who have pets who they use maybe.

I agree with Teresa. The fact that other cats can have contact with your cat makes me very worried since diseases and all types of things could be so easily transferred! And the fact that being in a new place will probably stress Charlie out and cause his immune system to weaken, thus making him more susceptible to capturing something. (ok, idk if the sentence grammar makes sense or not; it's been a long day, lol) I would definitely suggest looking into another boarding place, or even better yet, find a reputable pet sitting service.