Starting Your Own Cattery From Scratch

When you are thinking of starting a business from scratch a boarding cattery might not necessary be one of the first businesses that would spring to mind. If you love cats and have a large garden or a piece of land it could be well worth considering.

The regulations do require a presence at the cattery 24/7. This does not mean someone has to actually be in the cattery, but your living accommodation does need to be on the same site.

What is Needed to Get Started?

First and foremost you would need the space to accommodate a reasonable size building. You would also need planning permission from your local council and a licence to board animals. You will need professionally prepared plans from an architect to submit to the planning officer. All these basic steps will need to be taken before you can start any building work.

When submitting plans you need to bear in mind that you will need a kitchen area to prepare food and wash dishes. You will also need an isolation facility for if a cat is unwell. You may also want an office/reception area. Consider carefully what you want to have as part of the cattery as this could influence the number of cat pens you can have.

Advantages of Having a Boarding Cattery

The main advantage in having your own boarding cattery business is that you are your own boss. There will be no more travelling to work. You can decide on your own opening hours and plan your days accordingly.

Disadvantages of Owning a Boarding Cattery Business

There are of course some disadvantages. One of the main disadvantages is the lack of time off. It is a seven day a week job and even if you employ staff, ultimately you are the person responsible for the welfare of your clients pets. You will be the one with your name on the licence and if anything goes wrong the blame will be yours.

It is difficult to take holidays, planning for a week off must be done months in advance and probably for the first few years while you are building up your client base, you would be well advised not to shut the cattery. Christmas, Easter and any other bank holiday, you should expect to have a cattery full of cats and forget any celebrating.

Advice on Starting a Cattery

The best place to get advice is from a friendly cattery owner. You should visit several catteries in your area and see what the layout is. You may come away with some good ideas and you may see things that you don't like. A cattery owner is really the only person with hands on experience, they will be able to tell you the day to day running of a cattery.

The Environmental Health Officer on your local council will also give you advice on what will be expected of a new cattery in your area. You can obtain a copy of the Councils rules and regulations on new structures from your council offices.