Pets and Emergencies

Cats are easier when there is a family emergency as long as there is kitty litter in the house. Dogs, even small ones, are very inconvenient.

One of the folks for whom I sometimes pet sit was called away for a health emergency with their mother, who lives three states away. I was not on line yesterday evening when this and another last-minute request came through. (The service for which I work uses mostly email.) The client has two cats and a Dachshund and she thought that a neighbor could handle the pets. But after she arrived at her mother's she learned that was not possible.

She made a flurry of phone calls, and this morning's visit was handled by a co-worker from her job who she pressed into service. I just called her and arranged to cover the next three visits. My available timing is not ideal but I am still the best option she has.

The other last minute visit may be covered by now - and it is a situation where there'd be no emergency if they had cats instead of a dog. One of this couple just had surgery that has left them immobilized. The other has to be away until the late evening for a job commitment. I called back to the service to share my imperfect timing with them, if it would be useful, but haven't heard back yet.

We may have to place two of our cats at a boarding facility when we travel next because one requires subcutaneous hydration, and I can't find anyone other than myself who can handle it. But it would be the first time in decades of living with cats that we'll have had to use a boarding facility.