Okay, so I’ve been dreaming of opening a cattery for, like, forever. Finally decided to take the plunge and, boy, was it a learning curve! I’m gonna walk you through what I did, step-by-step, so hopefully, it’ll be a little less daunting if you’re thinking of doing the same.
First Things First: Research, Research, Research!
I started by just Googling everything I could about catteries. Seriously, everything. I looked at other cattery websites, read articles about cat care, and even checked out some local government websites to see what kind of licenses and permits I’d need. It was overwhelming at first, but it gave me a general idea of what I was getting myself into.
Figuring Out the Legal Stuff
This was probably the least fun part. I had to figure out the zoning laws in my area. Could I even have a cattery where I lived? Turns out, I needed a specific permit. The process involved a lot of paperwork, and I had to contact my local council. I filled out the forms, paid the fees (ugh), and waited. It took a while, but eventually, I got the green light.
Finding the Perfect Space
I knew I didn’t want to run the cattery out of my house, I love my cats but having that many underfoot 24/7 felt like a recipe for disaster. Also it might not pass the needed inspections to get approved. So, I started looking for a separate space. I considered renting a small commercial unit, but it was important to get the layout right first and find something affordable. I eventually found an empty premise that was a decent size, had good ventilation (super important!), and was in a relatively quiet area.
Designing the Cattery Layout
This was the fun part! I sketched out so many different layouts. I knew I needed separate areas for:
- Individual cat units: Spacious enough for a litter box, food and water bowls, and a comfy bed. I wanted them to feel secure and have some privacy.
- A play area: Cats need to get their zoomies out! I planned for a large, enclosed area with climbing frames, toys, and scratching posts.
- An isolation area: Just in case a cat got sick, I needed a separate space to keep them away from the others.
- A food prep area: A clean, designated space for preparing meals and storing food.
- A cleaning/utility area: For storing cleaning supplies, litter, and other essentials.
I spent ages looking at different cat unit designs online. I ended up going with units that had a sleeping shelf and were easy to clean. Hygiene is SO important in a cattery.
Building and Setting Up
Once I had the space and the layout, it was time to build! I hired a local handyman to help me with some of the heavier lifting and construction. We built the individual units, installed the climbing frames in the play area, and set up all the shelving and storage. It was hard work, but seeing it all come together was amazing.
I made sure to use materials that were easy to disinfect. No carpets or anything that could harbor bacteria. Smooth surfaces were the way to go.
Getting All the Supplies
Then came the shopping spree! I needed:
- Litter boxes (lots of them!)
- Litter
- Food and water bowls
- Cat beds and blankets
- Toys, toys, and more toys!
- Scratching posts
- Cleaning supplies (non-toxic, of course)
- First-aid kit for cats
- Grooming supplies
Marketing and Getting the Word Out
I made some flyers and distributed them, also tried to find some local online social media groups. Gotta get those clients!
Opening Day!
Finally, after all that work, I was ready to open! I was nervous and excited, but mostly just relieved that I’d actually done it. It’s been a lot of work, but seeing the happy, purring cats makes it all worthwhile. There are still plenty of things I’m working out, but the basics are there, and I have returning customers, so that makes me happy!
