Holiday Care Of Pets

Press, Volume CIII, Issue 30632, 24 December 1964, Page 12

Holiday Care Of Pets

Several hundred city people have living with them, V.l.P.’s —very important pets. Because in New Zealand hotels, motels and camping grounds have no animal quarters provided, owners have to leave their V.LP.’s at home during holidays.

There are several catteries and kennels where pets can get a reasonable amount of comfort, square meals, and affection.

A survey of boarding establishments yesterday showed that the “house full” sign was up as animal boarders took up residence. One home was also expecting budgies, par-

rots, a cockatoo, several guinea pigs, a magpie, a pet lamb, and a white mouse.

It is necessary to book well ahead. Several homes have been booked out for about three months. One home is turning away 20 would-be boarders daily. Most cats settle down happily after a day or so. It is usually the senior citizens, the nine or 10-year-olds (one year in a cat’s life is equal to seven human years) which fret, according to information given at one home. So a special dish of egg and milk fortified with glucose and vitamins is given until they are ready to eat meat again. This home which has room

for 300 cats and 80 dogs requires each day 1001 b of meat, nine quarts of milk and about two dozen eggs. Most homes keep lists of the likes and dislikes of their boarders. The hostess at another home considers that cats especially benefit from a separation from their families. “Coming here gives them a chance to catch up the latest news from all parts of town. They go back refreshed to the arduous task of keeping the mice, rats and birds at bay.” The photograph shows two V.LP.’s exchanging their views on the rest of the inmates and getting ready for a long chat on the state of the cat world.