A stray cat became my cat about a year ago. I am the only person he will not run from. He made himself home from day one. Now I am taking a trip for six days and don't know what to do with him. He is scarred outside during the day but okay outside at night. I have someone to come every day to feed/water him. I have visited two boarding facilities and just have concerns of putting this cat in a cage for six days. My vet said he would need to be give medication to keep him calm. Any suggestions? Thanks for your help.
Hi there. If this cat is truly a stray and as standoffish as you describe to all others besides yourself, I do think attempting to board him would be very challenging and could pose a risk both to him and to any boarding staff, especially if he has not yet gotten a rabies vaccination. Your vet is right that he would most likely need sedatives during boarding for him to stay calm, but this is no guarantee that he will be completely okay with being in an enclosed environment inside a wholly unfamiliar environment with unfamiliar people. If he is an outdoor cat, you should certainly continue providing reliable food an water for him and access to shelter if that's part of your set up for him as well. Naturally, animals and their behavior can be unpredictable, but I would think that if his main amenities continue to be provided for, and someone is at least able to check on his activity from a distance, he will be okay for your time away.
@chris-vanderhoof Thanks for your response. I had concerns and I agree I don't think he would do well in a boarding facility. I do wish he was more social, and I have tried to introduce him to other humans when my family comes by 2/3x a week. It just doesn't work. I plan to leave my garage door up just enough for him to come/go. He sleeps all day in the house and roams outside at night, weird I know. Thanks again for your advice and suggestions.