What can I do with two cats in NYC while I wait for my apartment?

July 12, 2007 7:11 AM

I'm moving to NYC from DC in August and my temporary housing (paid-for-as-part-of-relocation-package corporate apt.) wants $1000 out of my pocket for my cats. What alternatives do I have?

The $1000 is a non-refundable fee, not based on length of stay. (I had hoped that it would be a deposit, or prorated, or something. But no, it's a fee.) I plan to come to NYC on August 18; I'll be staying in the housing until September 1, when I, with any luck, move into my new apartment. Unfortunately, getting them to stay with friends and family is right out of the question. All of my friends in NYC either are already full to the brim with pets or are allergic.

So, can anyone suggest some good alternatives to do with two cats in NYC for two weeks that would cost less than $1000? Anything I save here is pretty much gravy.

Also, any tag suggestions to help others find this would be appreciated.

posted by kdar to pets & animals (11 comments total)

You'll be there less than a month? Tell them you've decided to leave your cats at home and then take them with you anyway. Not likely to do an inspection.

How many cats are we talking about here?
posted by empath at 7:18 AM on July 12, 2007

You could board them for much less than that, preferably in NYC so they'd be there when you got there. This is far afield, but heck you could leave them with someone not in DC and/or NY and retrieve them later for much less than that (I'd take them in VT but that's pretty out there, email in profile if you're stuck)
posted by jessamyn at 7:21 AM on July 12, 2007

It sounds like this $1000 fee is set so high because they either do not want the pets but feel it would hurt their business if the said no pets or they expect some corporation to just hold its nose and pay as part of a relocation package.

Maybe the person who arranged the temp housing at your new firm can negotiate with these folks. If they use this service enough, the landlord may be open to making a deal on the cost.

I agree with Jessamyn. Find them the best person anywhere in the country to take them. A roundtrip to pick them up will likely be less than a grand.
posted by JohnnyGunn at 7:28 AM on July 12, 2007

I agree that boarding *should* be less than $1000 for two weeks, but you will have to shop around. Just doing a Google search for "cat boarding NYC" turns up a ton of different businesses. Additionally, many veterinary clinics offer boarding services, so include those in your pricing research.
posted by tastybrains at 8:10 AM on July 12, 2007

Just as a start, this place charges $20/day for cat boarding, with 10% off for any days after the first ten.
posted by tastybrains at 8:13 AM on July 12, 2007

i know someone in new york who will take a cat off your hands for less than a grand.
posted by Gregamell at 8:42 AM on July 12, 2007

There are tons and tons of places in NYC where you can board your cats. Call and ask a vet who practices near your temporary apartment to recommend someplace nearby so you can visit after work.
posted by gum at 9:08 AM on July 12, 2007

I'll take them, you idiot.
posted by kjars at 9:09 AM on July 12, 2007 [3 favorites]

Do you have any good friends that would be willing to catsit? (Possibly kjars?) It'd probably be less stressful for the cats to be alone at your place with only a daily visit from friends rather than being boarded.
posted by puritycontrol at 9:32 AM on July 12, 2007

So uh. kjars is going to take them for me. But thanks for the suggestions, everyone!
posted by kdar at 11:31 AM on July 12, 2007

in case kjars develop cat allergies or something, the 5th Avenue Cat Clinic in Park Slope is EXCELLENT.

I think its $25 a day per cat (not sure if there's discounts for 2 cats). I haven't needed to board my cats yet, but I've heard WONDERFUL reviews for their boarding services. I've only been there to see the vet with my cats, but the boarding faciliities look really clean and serene. I ran into someone who was dropping off her cat this past weekend and she raved about their boarding service.

Good luck!
posted by ceesbees at 1:29 PM on July 12, 2007