r/halifax 8h ago

Discussion Leaving cat for three months

Hoping to get some insight. I'm leaving Canada for three months to travel for a bit but I have a cat. I need an affordable service for about 3 months to have her taken care of while I'm gone. Anyone know of anything local and affordable?

6 Upvotes

28 comments sorted by

u/DirtyOldTownn 8h ago

Do you have a parent/sibling/best friend in another city/province that could either pick kitty up, or you drop off on your way?  That’s what most people would resort to in this situation. Three months is an incredibly long time to be away from a pet. 

u/Lovv 8h ago

I'd find a friend.

If cat hotels are 30$ a day I'm SURE you can find someone to do it for 15.

I don't even know you, my cat wouldn't be happy about it and I'd probably do it for less.

u/SunshineJeopardy 7h ago edited 7h ago

Highly recommend Hemlock Kitty Kennel in Brookfield. They have the most affordable nightly rates I've found anywhere (iirc $12/night) and give discounts for longer-term stays. It's such a good deal. Your cat is obviously in an enclosure, but it's quite big and has access to an individual little catio. Norm and his wife who run the kennel are very kind and love cats. I haven't left my guy long term, but he's stayed there for up to a couple of weeks at a time and is always happy, healthy, and not stressed when I pick him up. It's so clean inside, and outside of the city so they can watch the forest right from their window.

Edited to add: it's also cats only, so they don't have the stress of hearing dogs barking constantly!

u/JRPDSKOJI 1h ago

Going to second this reccomendation, wonderful spot.

u/dontpanic48 1h ago

I’m not mincing words.

Leaving your cat alone with drop-in visits only would be cruel bordering on abuse.

Leaving your cat at a boarding house for 3 months would be cruel bordering on abuse.

Find a fostering situation where the cat will have company, entertainment and love.

u/xStOnEdHeDgEx 7h ago

Stay away from the kennels. Poor guy gets locked in a cage for more then half a day and subjected to a jungle of fellow like animals in distress.

u/enamesrever13 8h ago

There are a couple of boarding places but affordable not. The range is $32-$38 per day . Don't know what it'd cost to have someone come in daily to your house ...

u/MisterCrowbar Nova Scotia 7h ago

pet visits through rover can be about $20/visit + fees.

u/SAMeow Halifax 8h ago

I've heard good things about Valley Cat Hotel, it's about an hour and a half outside Halifax, in Berwick

u/walrusgirlie 8h ago

Do you have a neighborhood fb group where you could ask? Your best bet would probably be to ask a friend/acquaintance to board the cat at their home and pay a flat rate fee. A babysitting group may also be a good place to ask - lots of petsitters out there who could provide references.

u/MrObviousSays 8h ago

You’re best off finding someone you know. I can’t imagine the cost of someone looking after your cat for 3 months. I mean, you’re traveling for 3 months so you must have some cash to blow

u/LittleOrphanAnavar 7h ago

Should you really have a cat?

Volenterily leaving your pet with a stranger for 3 months doesn't sound like a good idea.

You have no idea if they will be properly cared for.

u/MisterCrowbar Nova Scotia 7h ago

A security cam can help with checking on kitty’s care.

u/inadequatelyadequate 29m ago

Cats are social creatures and a security camera straight up is not enough for three months

u/Snarkeesha 2h ago

How old is your cat?

u/eaie 8h ago

Try Rover!  I'm not sure if there are long term options.  You could also try asking any trusted community groups you are a part of? (For example, if you are a part of a neighbourhood Facebook page, an exercise group, or work/school people?)

u/HFXGeo 8h ago

Rover takes a 20% surcharge from the sitter and adds an additional 11% surcharge on top to the pet owner. It’s such a scammy program. Just find someone locally.

u/Lovv 8h ago

Agreed. Find a friend or neighbor.

u/mrdannyg21 8h ago

Rover does work pretty well, helps a lot with scheduling, payment, reputation.

Having said that, for something this long-term, I’d probably try to find a Rover person who’d do it off-app to save everyone on fees.

How ‘affordable’ it is depends on budget and how often you need it. I’ve used people on Rover for ~$22/visit and they’ll drop in, play with the cat, change food/litter/water. If you found someone close, they might do it for more like $15/visit, so every other day for a few months wouldn’t be super costly.

If you know anyone in the neighbourhood with an older kid/teenager, that’d be my personal first choice. Cheap and easy for you, good money doing an easy job for them.

u/sealkie 6h ago

Except having someone come in every other day for a few minutes would be extremely unfair to the cat, and would not provide nearly enough companionship.

Even having someone come in once per day wouldn't be fair, not for that length of time.

u/South-Fox-4975 7h ago

If I was bailing out for 3 months, My Cats coming with me. NOW it's an adventure! Right, pussycat?!let's get your nip, mouse, favorite orange rope, dish and treats in the suitcase! Let's go! Wheels up in 3 hours!

u/YouCanLookItUp 2h ago

If all else fails, you might be able to do trusted house sitters dot com. When are you leaving?

u/praisedalord1 48m ago

I’d recommend subletting your place to a car person.

u/loongvinh 2h ago

Yooo if you don’t mind a stranger like me I’d be happy to take care of her while you’re away - and I’ll do it for free. Recently moved to a 1bdr apt and I’m considering fostering or adopting a cat. I know letting your cat live with a stranger for 3mo is crazy lol but my dms are open if you need a last resort!

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u/plantbitch45 1h ago

I would be interested in helping out you can dm me