What a cutie with that little star face! I have a teenage girl across the street that loves my cats. Her parents will let her "housecat" sit for me, with their supervision. Do you have anyone like that? That is what works best for my cat and his personality. He would rather be in his environment.

But if you don't have anyone that can stay at your house, maybe your kitty is outgoing enough to prefer more interaction while boarding? I think a lot depends on your kitty's personality.

I would definitely visit any place you consider using for boarding and ask questions about how much play and interaction they provide.

I always hired a kitty/house sitter; less trauma on both of us and I liked having someone in the house, too. I live near a state college that draws lots of "alternative" type students. I posted a notice on our local food co-op bulletin board (or would have at the college, if needed) asking for a student who was missing their kitty from home who'd like a week living out of the dorm. I know that sounds risky, but I trust my instincts about people implicitly and found two young women (girlfriends) who were in that exact situation. Living far from home, missing their kitties. I met with them away from my house for coffee the first time and knew they were a good fit. They were wonderful and responsible and have remained friends years after my last kitty died. When they weren't available, they had a friend and her boyfriend who filled in.

So, ask around for college age children of friends, who may still be living at home and would love a week away, or someone working in your city who has a long commute and might like free board for a week. Maybe an elder who could use the extra $, etc. You may be surprised who in your life will provide the perfect contact to care for your gorgeous little kitty.

I went away for three weeks when my cats were just a year old. They're siblings and had one another. My nextdoor neighbor came by twice a day to feed them and spent a little time socializing with them. All went well. If you can't find someone to actually housesit, someone you trust and who likes cats, then I still think you can get by with someone who visits twice a day, stays for a short period of time to talk/play with the cat and just make sure everything's okay in the house. I don't have any experience with boarding my cats, and I would try to figure out something where they stay at home.

Whenever my daughter goes away, she leaves the TV on for her cats. I used to leave the radio on for mine.

I've boarded and used a sitter, for the dog, boarding was perfect because she played all day with other dogs, but for the cat(s), the sitter has always been the better option because it's less stressful for them.

We have someone come in and care for the cats...mine prefer to be in their own surroundings. If you have someone good and reliable, if your cat is friendly, ask them to play with them a bit. We have a gal come in who's terrific, but she said she never saw one cat after 2 weeks, and it wasn't until almost the end of the 2nd week that the other one came out to say hello. By nature, cats are more solitary so should be just fine.

I think having someone come in is the way to go. I am starting to look at pet sitters in the area. I really would like someone to come in morning and night as he is used to being fed twice a day. Maybe I can take a team approach to this project and ask my neighbor to help as well. I imagine he will be just fine without us and I am just worrying for nothing. This is the only time I have had a lone kitten and have put a great deal of time into socializing him. He is a sweetheart and my husband and I so enjoy playing with him. He showed up as a stray at 8 weeks and I couldn't resist him. Thank you all for your input.

I had a friend once who did board her cats for a week when she was gone. I know because I had to go and pick them up. They weren't too happy, and were might glad when I took them home. But she lived out in the country and I guess could not find anyone to care for them. Some cats are more flexible and gregarious than others.

When we had cats only, we boarded them at a place where they could stay together and have play and grooming. When the dogs cam along, they did not do as well with boarding. My lab get a nervous tummy and they isolated her -- which ony made things worse. A mom who was involved in PTA events from elementary school does pet sitting adn we have been using her now. The dogs still get anxious if they see suitcases ready to leave, but they get visits 2-3 times a day from someone they know. We don't have any cats now, but they were included while they were still with us.

When our older cats were still with us and kittens, the one hated when I was gone so I'd always find a "present" waiting for me at the foot of our bed.. She'd even make sure she was in the room watching me when I found it.. In my cat world, she was the love of my life and the look on her face when we got home and I found it was priceless..

Oh my Carol, your kitty looks like my dear little Tommy but his white was lower. It looked like a paint smudge on his little nose. He was a stray who came to us and he was the love of my life. I lost him to total kidney failure and I miss him more than words can say.

BTW, your kitty is precious.

All things being equal, I think a young cat is going to be happier alone in his own house with all the right beds and smells, etc. with a person coming in twice a day to feed and spend a short time socializing than taking the cat to a boarder. Cages! Strange other cats!

I agree with trying to keep her at home if possible and have someone come in. I had a kitty similar age and energy when I got him and my friend would stay for a bit and play with him. MIL will stay for awhile and hang out with the current cats.

What a pretty girl! Love her markings.

I always have someone come to my house once or twice a day depending on the circumstances. My cats would absolutely hate being at a kennel instead of their own home.

I had my elderly uncle come over twice a day and visit with my cats. Both him and the cats loved it.

Thanks for the advice, I have hired a pet sitting business to cover the mornings and will ask some friends and neighbors to come in later in the day for added socializing☺️. I'm sure he will miss his family, but this in-home care will be better for him. I feel like it's too much of an imposition to ask any one person to come over twice a day and I wouldn't be comfortable having a stranger stay at my house. The service is bonded and insured so I hope all goes well.