When it comes to leaving your cat behind while you travel, finding the right place for them to stay is a top priority. While some cats may thrive with professional cat-sitting services in their own homes, others might benefit from the structure and social environment that a cattery offers. In Cambridge, UK, there are several excellent catteries that provide a safe, comfortable, and stress-free environment for your feline companion. In this guide, we’ll explore the best catteries in Cambridge UK highlighting their services, features, and what sets them apart.
Why Choose a Cattery for Your Cat?
A cattery offers a number of benefits over other pet care options, particularly for cats that prefer socializing with other felines or need a more structured environment. Here are a few reasons why you might opt for a cattery:
- Security and Safety: Catteries are specifically designed to keep cats secure while you're away. They typically have high fences, secure enclosures, and safety protocols in place to prevent escapes.
- Socialization: For cats that enjoy the company of other felines, a cattery can offer a more social environment. Some catteries offer communal spaces, allowing cats to interact and play with others.
- Specialized Care: Many catteries offer more specialized care, such as grooming, administering medication, and accommodating cats with special dietary or medical needs.
- Peace of Mind: Catteries are staffed by trained professionals who are experienced in handling cats, ensuring that your pet is in safe hands during your absence.
Top Catteries in Cambridge, UK
Here are some of the best-rated catteries in Cambridge, each with its own unique offerings and high standards of care:
1. The Cat Hotel Cambridge
Located just outside Cambridge, The Cat Hotel is a luxury cattery offering premium care for your feline friends. With over 25 years of experience, the owners are passionate about providing an excellent environment for your cat, focusing on comfort, safety, and a stress-free stay.
- Facilities: The cattery offers spacious, heated pens with raised platforms, bedding, and plenty of room for your cat to move around. Each cat is provided with its own private area, ensuring they have a quiet and peaceful space to relax. The pens are designed to be secure and escape-proof, giving you peace of mind.
- Services: The Cat Hotel offers a range of services, including feeding (using the food you provide or their own premium food), grooming, and administering medications. They also provide daily interaction, with playtime, cuddles, and attention tailored to your cat’s individual personality.
- Special Features: The Cat Hotel focuses on providing a calm, low-stress environment. They have separate areas for shy or anxious cats, ensuring that they don’t feel overwhelmed by the presence of other cats. The cattery also offers "Luxury Suites" for cats who need extra space and more privacy.
- Best For: Cat owners who want luxury care and a premium environment for their pets. It’s particularly suitable for cats that are used to a more relaxed, quiet atmosphere.
2. Cambridge Cattery
Cambridge Cattery is a family-run business that offers both short- and long-term stays for cats. With a commitment to high standards of care, they provide a safe and comfortable environment for your pet while you’re away.
- Facilities: The cattery features modern, spacious pens equipped with heated bedding and plenty of room for cats to move about. Each pen has an individual outdoor run so your cat can get some fresh air, but they are always securely contained within the cattery premises.
- Services: Cambridge Cattery offers a range of services, including feeding, litter box cleaning, and daily cleaning of pens. They are experienced in administering medication and special diets and can tailor the care to your cat’s needs. Owners can also request updates on their cat’s well-being while they’re away.
- Special Features: Cambridge Cattery takes extra care to ensure that all cats are comfortable during their stay. They offer a "retirement suite" for older cats who may need a quieter environment, and they accommodate cats with medical needs or special diets.
- Best For: Owners looking for a family-friendly cattery with excellent customer service. It’s an ideal choice for cats that need a bit more attention or have specific care requirements.
3. Puddlewood Cattery
Puddlewood Cattery is a small, boutique cattery located just outside Cambridge. It offers a quieter, more intimate setting for cats that may not do well in larger facilities.
- Facilities: Puddlewood provides individual, comfortable rooms for each cat, which include heated bedding, scratching posts, and access to an outdoor run (weather permitting). Each pen is designed to give your cat plenty of space to move around and explore. The small size of the cattery ensures that each cat gets individual attention throughout the day.
- Services: Puddlewood Cattery provides all the essentials, including feeding, cleaning, grooming, and medication administration. They can also offer additional services like daily updates or extra playtime for active or sociable cats.
- Special Features: The cattery prides itself on offering a low-stress, peaceful environment, which is ideal for cats that are particularly sensitive or shy. The small scale of the operation means that the owners can give each cat more personal attention.
- Best For: Cats that require extra personal attention or owners who prefer a more intimate setting for their pet. It’s also great for cats that are shy or anxious about being around other animals.
4. Stoke Mill Cattery
Stoke Mill Cattery is an established cattery offering high-quality care in a peaceful countryside setting just outside Cambridge. The facility is set in a beautiful, quiet location, making it an excellent option for cats who may be more sensitive to noise or commotion.
- Facilities: The cattery boasts spacious, heated pens with individual outdoor runs. The pens are secure, with clear glass panels allowing cats to look out over the peaceful countryside. The cattery also has larger suites available for multiple cats from the same household, providing a more spacious and comfortable stay.
- Services: Stoke Mill offers feeding (with the option for you to bring your cat’s preferred food), medication administration, and daily cleaning. They also provide playtime and interaction with the cats, making sure they receive plenty of attention during their stay.
- Special Features: One of the unique features of Stoke Mill Cattery is its location, offering a tranquil setting with plenty of fresh air and green space. The cattery also has separate areas for more nervous or older cats who may need a quieter environment.
- Best For: Cats that enjoy a quieter, more rural setting. It’s also an excellent choice for cats that are elderly or have medical conditions requiring extra care.
5. Cherry Hinton Cattery
Located in the village of Cherry Hinton, this cattery is another highly recommended option for Cambridge residents. The team at Cherry Hinton Cattery takes pride in providing exceptional care in a friendly and caring environment.
- Facilities: The cattery features individual, secure pens with outdoor runs for fresh air. The pens are comfortable and well-equipped with bedding, scratching posts, and toys to keep your cat entertained. Each pen is large enough to accommodate one or two cats from the same household.
- Services: Cherry Hinton Cattery provides all the standard services, such as feeding, litter cleaning, and medication administration. They also offer grooming and extra attention for more social cats or those who need special care.
- Special Features: This cattery emphasizes a caring, personal approach to cat care. They provide daily updates and offer special services for elderly cats or those requiring more frequent attention.
- Best For: Owners who want a smaller, family-run cattery with a personal touch. Ideal for social cats who enjoy attention and interaction.
What to Look for When Choosing a Cattery
When choosing a cattery, there are a few important factors to consider:
- Security: Ensure that the cattery has secure enclosures to prevent escapes and protect your cat.
- Comfort and Cleanliness: Look for a cattery that maintains high standards of cleanliness, with comfortable bedding and a hygienic environment.
- Staff Experience: Check if the staff is trained in feline care, including administering medication, understanding cat behavior, and handling emergency situations.
- Reviews and Reputation: Look at reviews from other cat owners to gauge the quality of service and care.
- Location and Accessibility: Consider how easy it is for you to drop off and pick up your cat, especially if you need to make last-minute arrangements.
Conclusion
Finding the right cattery for your cat in Cambridge can provide both you and your feline companion with peace of mind while you’re away. Whether you’re looking for luxury care, a quiet rural setting, or a more intimate and personalized service, Cambridge has a variety of top-quality catteries to choose from. By considering your cat’s needs and preferences, you can select a facility that ensures they receive the best care while you enjoy your time away.