5 reasons to visit The Great Catsby Luxury Cat Hotel

5 reasons to visit The Great Catsby Luxury Cat Hotel

There are lots of reasons why you should visit every boarding cattery that you are considering using. But I’ve picked my top five reasons for making a visit to The Great Catsby, whether you’re thinking of using me in the future or not!

Seeing is believing

You’ve read about it online, seen the reviews and looked at the pictures but that’s not enough. It will give you a good idea of what to expect but it might not answer all your questions. If you’re leaving your cat for the first time in someone else’s care then you must be able to trust that person. Without visiting any cattery, it’s hard to trust a ‘stranger’ that you’ve read about online.

If you’re visiting any cattery then you will get a ‘gut’ feeling. Not only about the place but also about the people you are trusting to look after your cat. I’ve heard too many stories from customers that took their cats to other boarding catteries without visiting first and instantly regretted it.

A visit will be beneficial to your cat

If you have been to visit The Great Catsby before your cats stay then you will be more prepared. When you know where you’re going, who you are meeting and what to expect then naturally your stress levels aren’t as high as they would be if you were going to somewhere strange for the first time. Your cat will pick up on your stress signals and feel less concerned about the situation too. I spoke to Wendy at Animal Reiki Healer about how to help anxious cats and she mentions this too here.

A more personal service

When you visit The Great Catsby you will meet the whole team…just me! My time is spent looking after the welfare of cats every day. I want to make sure that they have my undivided attention and get the best care possible. Therefore, all arrivals, departures, and visits are by appointment only. By offering appointments I can also ensure that your time is uninterrupted.

If you turn up for a viewing unexpectedly I can’t guarantee that I will be able to give you the personal service I pride myself on. I might be waiting for a cat to come in or leave and so would need to rush the visit. Or I might have an extremely anxious cat that I am settling in, any disturbances could affect that process. On the other hand, I might have to nip out for cat supplies, take a cat to the vet or pick my boys up from school in between my booked appointments.

A better understanding of your cat and their needs

By making a visit to The Great Catsby I can chat with you about your cat. You can tell me all about those little personality traits, what they like, dislike and any nicknames they respond to. You could pop it all in an email but speaking face to face helps me get to know your cat before we’ve ever met.

I can also show you the kitchen, and what food I have in stock and demonstrate the cat wheel, which is great for the younger more energetic cats. After seeing the space available in their room you can decide what you want to bring with you. Some cats bring their own bed, blanket or even a scratch post. You know your cat best and what would help your cat to feel more comfortable and settled.

You’ll know what you want for your cat

The Great Catsby isn’t for everyone, some want their cats to have more outdoor access while others would never use a cattery. Regardless of whether you want to use The Great Catsby in the future or not, I would always recommend a visit. You may spot something at The Great Catsby that prompts you to ask more questions when visiting other catteries. Or you might have a better idea of what you definitely do or don’t want for your cat when you’re away. You never know you might even change your perception of a boarding cattery after you visit The Great Catsby!


To arrange a viewing at The Great Catsby please take a look at our calendar and book your visit.

Due to the current pandemic I am unable to offer visits during lockdown.

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Why I opened The Great Catsby Luxury Cat Hotel

Deciding to go away is fun but the thought of leaving your cat isn’t. Who will look after them whilst I’m away?  Will they miss me?  Will they hate me for leaving them? These were just some of the questions I had when I first decided to go on holiday and leave my baby, Lola.  

Jenny and Lola at the Great Catsby in Wigan. © Picture by Mark Kehoe 5/4/19

I was heartbroken. Not just because I was leaving her with a stranger but because I knew how much attention she was used to.  After getting a couple of recommendations and looking online to see what was available, I found a cattery and booked her in.  It wasn’t until I dropped her off that I finally saw where she was staying. I left her in her little pen and walked out in tears.  I spent 10 minutes crying in the car before driving off. 

When the day finally arrived to collect her I was over the moon.  I’d only actually left her for 3 nights but it felt like two weeks.  As soon as I saw her I knew I shouldn’t have left her. Cowering in her bed, I left her with, I had to lift out her weak shaking body.  She stunk of wee, she clearly hadn’t eaten either by the look of her thin body.  I was mortified.  My confident little girl had been abandoned and it was all my fault.

My biggest regret for leaving Lola was not going and visiting the cattery before booking her in.  If I knew where she was staying, I wouldn’t have left her.  I would have done more research to find somewhere suitable for mine and Lolas needs.  If only I had spoken to the owner beforehand and told her what Lola was like, she is my shadow, she craves attention and affection.  Maybe she would have taken her time to help Lola adjust, and then she would have eaten.  But maybe if I didn’t experience that I wouldn’t have created The Great Catsby!

I wasn’t a crazy cat lady, just a worried cat mum

After listening to other peoples worries and fears about leaving their cats I realised I wasn’t alone.  I wasn’t the crazy cat lady every one thought I was, there were others who also wanted the best for their babies. When planning The Great Catsby I  wanted to create somewhere I would want to leave my own cats. Somewhere I could trust that they would be looked after just like they would at home.  And being house cats I wanted somewhere safe and warm, where they had space to move and play.  Finally, in May 2017 The Great Catsby Cat Hotel was born.

Happy birthday to The Great Catsby!!!

This year marks our second birthday. Over the last two years, I have had the pleasure of looking after hundreds of precious babies. Each with their own special personalities. My lovely customers were all once like me, worried about leaving their cats. If you don’t believe me check out their feedback on my website, facebook page and Find Pet Boarding. I have lucky enough to have appeared in the local newspaper and a national newspaper (on the 2nd page too)!!

To celebrate our birthday I’d love to invite you to an open day.  You can drop in, have a nosey and a chat about your cat…I love talking about cats!!! Normally I ask that visits are by appointment only, I have cats coming and going throughout the days plus my own family to manage. However, on Saturday 11th May 2019 12-2pm my doors will be open for visitors. Just click on the link if you’re interested in coming along.  If you can’t make the open day then just drop me a message with your preferred times. I’ll check the diary and get back to you.

Don’t make the same mistakes I made. Visit a number of catteries and cat hotels before you decide where to leave your cat.  Look at the websites or Facebook pages, ask for recommendations. Go and see the places for yourself, pictures don’t always show everything you need to see.  If you feel happy whilst you’re there then the chances are your cat would be happy too!

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