#slugbo uses they/them if anyone else wants to send them some congratulations!

[followthebluebell]

hi, i’m sorry if this is silly. i’m getting top surgery in a few months (it’s been postponed twice now thanks to covid, but hopefully it wont again) and i am going to have to board my two cats for three weeks, because i have to get surgery out of state. is this ok? theyre somewhat clingy, but they’ll have each other. idk i have had one of them boarded before and he was fine, but this is a long time and i’m worried they’ll be sad. the place im using is extremely reputable though, so i know they’ll be in excellent care, i just worry about their feelings.

congrats on your upcoming surgery! <3

and yes, boarding your cats is a great idea--- honestly, I find it's a little bit like kids at summer camp. Some of the cats (especially first-timers) complain about it at first: 'I hate the counselors, I hate the other kids, I hate the activities, I wanna go HOME! :(' but then they start having fun as they relax. It's not that they really hate being boarded; they just don't like the change, you know?

Here are some things you can do to make their stay easier: bring something that smells like home, like a favorite bed, blanket, a shirt you've slept in, a pillowcase... basically anything that'll really hold onto that smell of Home. Scent is a cat's primary sense. Very often, I see the cats curled up and sleeping on their owner's shirt during a stay. Having each other also helps a lot.

Bring some favorite treats as well. Especially anxious cats may lose their appetite during sudden changes, like boarding--- having their favorite treats helps perk up their appetite.

Label everything you bring. I'm serious. A lot of things can happen in the laundry and having everything labeled helps immensely.

Ask if the facility uses feliway spray or any other pheromone sprays. If not, ask if you can bring your own. Again, it's all about trying to keep the cats calm and happy.

Good luck with your surgery! Fingers crossed that it won't get cancelled again!