Some 10 years ago my daughter and partner took in a stray cat which had been badly abused and traumatised. After a lot of TLC Lily became “humanised” again however she has remained extremely timid of strangers and would bolt off if anyone came in the house, to hide, until they had gone. If she felt cornered she displayed a side that was very unpleasant and frightening. Then 5 years on my daughter became pregnant and she was anxious about the affect a new baby would have on Lily and asked if we could have her on a temporary basis. We have now had Lily for 5 years and Daisy the first grandchild turned out to be scared of cats and when she comes to see us Lily shoots off in one direction and Daisy goes in the other however there is also a boisterous two year old brother for Lily to contend with now.

Here is the nub my wife and I like to travel and previously Lily has gone to my daughters when we have been away for a few days but to be honest nobody enjoyed it and after the last time when there was pandemonium she has refused point blank to have Lily again. We want to go for a 6 week holiday to India in February and we don’t know what to do for the best. My daughter agrees with us that a cattery for that length of time would not be in Lily’s best interest as well as expensive. We do have a weatherproof outhouse with a cat flap and there is a bivouac type bed that she uses during the night and I had the idea to ask a reliable neighbour to fill her feeding bowl with dry food and water maybe once or twice a week. I also thought about fitting a thermostatically controlled heater in there but my wife does not like that idea.

I know we will both be worried if we leave Lily but we want to go to India whilst we can. Can anybody make any suggestions (other than to keep topics short) or give us some reassurance that Lily will be OK and we are not bad people. Apologies for going on.

Its a bit tricky to leave her alone for such as long period. What about cat sitter, who could come for a couple of hours a day and if Lily wont like to be stroked - just to sit there and to talk to her.

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"Do not meddle in the affairs of cats, for they are subtle and will pee on your computer." --Bruce Graham
There are no rules, rules are only for people who fit inside a box, if you want to think out of the box there is no hope... Life has no Box. (Tony Howells)

Thanks Elena but as I say at the sight of a stranger Lily is off like a rocket and the cat sitter would be talking to her/himself!!

I mean - any kind of human presens within her sight; someone calm and very quiet (like me lol, but I am too far I guess) otherwise she'll became timid to you againl. Its far too long period to leave her absolutely alone. Someone retired? single? Does Lily likes toys, is she playing sometimes?

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"Do not meddle in the affairs of cats, for they are subtle and will pee on your computer." --Bruce Graham
There are no rules, rules are only for people who fit inside a box, if you want to think out of the box there is no hope... Life has no Box. (Tony Howells)

how about introducing someone new to her.. she got used to you so surely someone gentle natured she would adapt to therefore when you go away its not a stranger whos going to her? its someone she has gotten used to? just a suggestion but hope it helps! good luck

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Mellissa xxx

Hi, is it possible your daughter could pop round to feed the cat and stay awhile maybe when your grandaughter is at nursery/school?

Thanks for your thoughts Melissa that 'someone new' would probably have to come and live with us for some time which is not practical and we don't know anybody with that sort of commitment who could patiently wait for Lily to come out of hiding sufficiently long enough to make friends. When we first got Lily we only saw her when she was hungry and it took ages for her to accept us. She had to learn to use a cat litter because we didn't want to put her outside. We bought no end of toys and ticklers but she was just not interested. She has now got used to going out at night but still doesn't play as such. Lily will hide and sleep during the day somewhere in the house or outhouse when it is cold or wet or outside during nice weather and sit with us for a couple of hours in the evening then go to the door to go out. If any stranger appears we just do not see her at all so we have food for her inside and in the outhouse and simply await her pleasure. We have spent a long time thinking about this situation and cannot come up with a suggestion that is not impractical or damaging to Lily. Thanks again for your thoughts everybody.

Thanks Kittycat but my daughter is a working teacher and lives 20 miles away.

sounds quite difficult situation.....

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"Do not meddle in the affairs of cats, for they are subtle and will pee on your computer." --Bruce Graham
There are no rules, rules are only for people who fit inside a box, if you want to think out of the box there is no hope... Life has no Box. (Tony Howells)

I think your idea about fitting a heater, oil radiators are great, and a nice warm bed in your shed is a great idea, if someone could pop round in the morning and evening to check food, water and cats health, I would also leave a letter for your vet or contact your vet directly asking if ok that if your cat needs any attention you will pick up bill on your return. Aslong as your cat flap has a two way lock it would be easy to contain him/her evenings then open two ways again mornings.

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Adorable Ragdoll Cats