Hi
My Dad and Step Mum used to own boats and they had indoor cats mainly for this reason. They used to let them out on leads in the back garden and so when they went away on the boat, which was more or less every weekend, they used to do the same. The cats used to love it, they were pegged down with their leads on the river banks and they used to snooze in the cockpit on the top near the windows laying in the sun. What you need to bear in mind is that their cats were not used to going out so they had no inclination to try and escape. If your cat is an outdoor cat then it might try and escape and like your husband says what if he/she does and gets lost. If you think this might happen then it would be much better to get a neighbour to feed your cat while you are away. Maybe get them to keep him/her in so that you don't worry while you are away. That is what we are going to do. I think a cattery would be much more stressful, being in it's own home with all it's own comforts will be better even if it is lonely for a while. Once you have done this and he/she knows you come back it will become a routine and will get used to it. HTH
Sharon
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RIP Ted and Dusty. Miss you!!

My friend used to take her cat away in a campervan and eventually it ran off never to be seen again. If you are going to do this, it goes without saying that your cat needs to be microchipped and wear a collar with a tag containing your contact details.

I have now spoken to one of my neighbours and she is happy to come in and feed Flash and check on him while we are gone. I couldn't decide what to do for the best for him, I don't want him to be lonely but then at least he is safer here rather than taking the risk of losing him. I was concerned about leaving him for 36-48 hours but is its likely to be less stressful for him then I will do it...he will probably just sleep for most of the time and not notice we are gone!

UPDATE


Well we went away for the weekend, we left on Friday afternoon and got back 48 hours later on Sunday, my neighbour took a key and came in Friday afternoon, Saturday and Sunday morning to check on Flash and see if he needed any more food and water. He seemed fine when we came home! Think he missed the company a bit because he was extra cuddly last night but he is otherwise fine and I reckon much less stressed than he would have been if he had been stuck in a strange caravan all weekend. He didn't go out over the weekend, my neighbour said they opened the door to see if he wanted out but he just looked at them like the were daft So I feel better now to have the odd weekend away knowing he will be fine, thanks for all the input guys, its great to come on here and chat it through!

We go abroad every year and my mum and dad always get a cat sitter for our two cats ( tommy and susie ) they both use the shed and have beds in there, our neighbour comes round and feeds them ,they always wait for us when were coming back lol

there 10 and 13 now , each year either a family member or neighbour looks after them for 2 weeks when we go away.

I cant stand the thought of putting mine in a cattery (Not that they dont do a brilliant job, just that when they're used to having free run being in a pen is bound to be miserable!), and also have exotic pets that need feeding so use a catsitter (paw-pals.co.uk) is the franchise. Its something like £6.50 a visit and visits last around 1/2 an hour.