
How to Open a Cattery
- 1.. Ensure your area will support a cattery. If there is not enough demand or cat owners in your town, it is less likely...
- 2.. Learn all you can about caring for cats as well as breeding them, if you will be starting a breeding cattery.
- 3.. Pick a type of cattery to open. The two types: boarding catteries, which temporarily house cats when their...
Full Answer
Should you set up a cattery?
If you have space, want to start your business and love cats, you should think about setting up your own cattery. Any pet-related business requires a passion for working with animals.
How much space do you need for a cat cattery?
The first big step is finding a place to put the cattery. First, you’ll need 30 cu ft of cage space for each cat, plus free play space, and grooming and maintenance areas. Consideration should be given to separating the cages; i.e., putting space between them, for cleanliness and disease control.
What does it take to be a professional cattery owner?
A cattery owner doing all that it takes to produce healthy, happy cats and kittens truly is a professional. You must know cage building techniques, construction and maintenance procedures, security measures, and sometimes even the legal aspects of licenses and permits. Add to the list animal health practices, sanitation, grooming and care.
What licence do I need to start a kennels and cattery business?
If you wish to start a kennels and cattery business you will need to obtain an Animal Boarding Establishments Licence.

How do I start a small cattery?
How to Open a CatteryEnsure your area will support a cattery. ... Learn all you can about caring for cats as well as breeding them, if you will be starting a breeding cattery. ... Pick a type of cattery to open. ... Contact your local health department to see whether your city and state regulate catteries.More items...
What do you need to run a cattery?
Start a Cattery: Four StepsStep 1: Assessing viability of your cattery project. Assessing the Likely-hood of you Obtaining Planning Permission. ... Step 2: The costs involved and financing your cattery. Costs Involved. ... Step 3: Planning Permission. Plans of your Proposed cattery. ... Step 4: Planning and beyond. Licensing your cattery.
Is a cattery a profitable business?
You'll need volunteers or employees at 20 cats a day and once you go over 40, it becomes very profitable but entirely unrewarding. - At 40 cats a day, there is no 'hands on' left because you'll spend more time running the business than making sure the cats are happy.
Is a cattery a good idea?
Is it cruel to put your cat in a cattery? Most cats find the experience of staying in a cattery stressful. Cats are territorial and prefer to stay in their home environment. Even the experience of getting your cat into a carrier and driving them to a cattery can provoke anxiety in your pet.
Do you need a license to run a cattery?
The Animal Boarding Establishments Act 1963 requires anyone who wishes to keep a boarding establishment (i.e. in this context a cattery) to be licensed by the local authority and abide by the conditions of the licence.
How many cats can you have in a cattery?
A general guideline would be to limit the population of a room that is 14 feet by 14 feet to eight to 10 kenneled cats or four to six in open social space. Each cat should have an individual kennel large enough to allow your pet to move with comfort and assume any posture without feeling cramped.
Can you make a living breeding cats?
Starting a cat breeding business requires a considerable amount of time, money and preparation. Many cat breeders do not make a profit, and some do not manage to break even after the cost of medical bills, food and other supplies.
How much does it cost to breed cats?
Depending on the breed of cat that you've chosen to work with, the cost to start a cattery is going to cost between $10,000 – $20,000. That doesn't include the recurring costs and surprise expenses that you'll face once you've established your cattery. Let's break down the initial start up cost.
What is a Catio for cats?
A catio is a patio for cats, and is typically built just outside a door or a preferred window that your cats like to frequent. You can even get creative with your catio and build it according to your house and particular taste (or your kitty's).
How much is a cattery per week UK?
PricesDAYS1 CAT PER RUN3 CATS PER RUN1£11£222£22£443£33£664£44£8811 more rows
What injections do cats need to stay in a cattery?
Cats that stay at boarding catteries will require an annual flu viruses vaccination in order that the cattery's insurance is valid and because it is one of the higher risk areas. This should be given at least two weeks before boarding. Feline panleukopenia virus causes a severe and often fatal disease.
How much do cat sitters charge?
Most cat sitters charge 10 - 15 £/€ for a once-daily home visit or 12 - 25 £/€ to drop in twice a day. Cat sitters usually charge 15 - 50 £/€ for overnight cat sitting stays. You can look after more than one household of cats at a time if they only need daily home visits.
How does a cattery work?
Services vary per person or company, but you can usually expect a pet sitter or cat sitting service to come to your house at least twice a day to feed your cat, play with them and clean out their litter tray. For peace of mind, you may decide to keep your cat indoors while you're away.
Is cat breeding profitable?
Starting a cat breeding business requires a considerable amount of time, money and preparation. Many cat breeders do not make a profit, and some do not manage to break even after the cost of medical bills, food and other supplies.
How much does it cost to breed cats?
Depending on the breed of cat that you've chosen to work with, the cost to start a cattery is going to cost between $10,000 – $20,000. That doesn't include the recurring costs and surprise expenses that you'll face once you've established your cattery. Let's break down the initial start up cost.
How do I start a cattery in NZ?
What you need to do to open a cattery. You may need a resource consent if you want to open a cattery - see Check if you need consent for your project. You will also need to discuss possible odour, nuisance and noise issues with one of our environmental health officers.
How to make a cattery successful?
1. Ensure your area will support a cattery. If there is not enough demand or cat owners in your town, it is less likely that your cattery will be financially successful. For example, if your area is one with few middle and high income households, or there are already several well-established catteries, the chances of your business thriving are slim.
How to promote your cattery?
Promote your cattery. Sponsor a local community event to get the work out about your business, start an informational website and blog, open social networking accounts or place brochures, fliers and coupons in complementary businesses, such as veterinarian offices and hospitals, pet boutiques, supply stores, grooming parlors and treat bakeries.
What is boarding cattery?
By Melinda Gaines. A boarding cattery is a business that houses cats whose owners are away. Another type of cattery, breeding catteries, specializes in breeding cats for sale. If you are a cat lover looking to become an entrepreneur, a cattery might be the perfect business for you to start. Though it can be a rewarding business personally ...
How many letters are required to be a cattery name?
The following rules apply to applying for a new name: Cattery names will not be duplicated. A newly registered cattery name must be at least a minimum of two letters different from any existing registered cattery name. Double letters (tt, ee, ss, etc.) count as one letter.
How much does it cost to get a new cattery name?
A new cattery name will be registered for an initial five (5) year period, for a fee of $75.00. The following rules apply to applying for a new name: Cattery names will not be duplicated.
When did cattery names become registered?
For cattery names issued on or after January 1, 1988: Once a cattery name is registered, a breeder (s) other than the original applicant (s) may be added to the registration upon submission of a new cattery application signed by ALL current registered owners of the cattery.
Can a cattery name be profane?
Profanity is not permitted. A cattery name may not be registered in the possessive, with ’s at the end of the name. Cattery names will be registered and shown on all certificates in capital letters, no lower case.
Can you reserve a cattery name in CFA?
Note: CFA will not “reserve” a cattery name pending receipt of an application.
How to promote a cattery?
Try to work with local pet shops, vets and pet-related firms so that you can promote your cattery with posters and information about your services clearly on display. Offer returning customers incentives and special rates for quiet times of the year so that you can have business all year round and not just at the busy holiday periods.
Is it good to own a cattery?
Running your own business is a big decision and it is not for everyone. You will have to make changes to your lifestyle, you will need to have responsibility for other people’s pets, as well as financial burdens, but running your own cattery can be exciting and rewarding.
Do catteries deal with strays?
While you may rely on pet owners for most of your trade, but many catteries also deal with strays and offer feline welfare services for local councils and charities. This may suit you if you are able to deal with a range of difficult situations that may result from dealing with cats that have been mistreated.
Do you need to keep cat records?
Keeping Cattery Records. Like any business, you will need to keep adequate records for the purposes of budgeting and maintaining your business. You should also think about the requirements of record keeping relating to your customer’s and their pets. Try to maintain records specific to each cat and its owner.
Can cats run indoors?
Not all cats will be used to being indoors, so outdoor runs will be useful for them to use. The design and size of each cage and run will need to meet the guidelines set by your local council. Often these will be minimum standards that you should aim to exceed.
Can you keep cats from different owners?
For example, in Victoria, you are not allowed to keep cats from different owner’s together without the owner’s consent. This information is important when designing the layout of your cattery.
Do catteries have chicken wire?
Some catteries operate on single units such as cat enclosures, while others provide rooms divided by chickenwire pens or solid rooms. These options can obviously result in different rates being charged. Owners want the best quality of service provided for the most affordable rate. Many owners will be devoted pet owners that are looking for somewhere special for their cat to stay – can you provide this level of quality? You will attract the right kind of customer depending on the services that you provide to their cats.
Why start a kennels and cattery business?
Starting a kennels and cattery business is highly rewarding and is obviously ideally suited to animal lovers – yet you should also be aware that it is extremely hard work. The animals will require attention 365 days a year and many owners work extremely long hours and take very few breaks, especially during the early years. If you are prepared for this however and it has always been your ambition to work with animals then few businesses provide such enjoyment and rewards.
Is it hard to start a kennel?
Starting a kennels and cattery business is one of the most difficult and time consuming enterprises to start and run – yet it can also be one of the most enjoyable and rewarding. If you’re a dog or cat lover and have always dreamed of working with animals then running a kennels and cattery could provide you with the perfect business…
How to promote a cat cafe?
One of the best ways to promote a new cat cafe business is by hosting events. Cat cafes may host lectures on cat-related topics, cat-oriented meetups, movie nights with cats or yoga with cats. Hosting events gives people a specific reason to come.
How do cat cafes make money?
Cat cafe businesses make money two ways. They charge customers by the hour for the time that customers spend with cats, and they charge customers for the food and beverages they order.
How much does a cat cafe make an hour?
When located in a popular area, a cat cafe business can bring in a significant revenue. Even at $7 per person, just 10 visitors can generate $70 in an hour. At $20 per hour, the revenue increases to $200 per hour with 10 visitors. Moreover, a cafe can often hold more than 10 visitors.
How much does a cat cafe charge?
charges between $18 and $22 for a 70-minute visit. Meanwhile, Cat Cafe Madison in Madison, Wisconsin charges $7 per 60- minute visit, which includes $1 for a beverage.
How does a cat cafe increase revenue?
Once established, a cat cafe business can increase its revenue by hosting events. Events often draw lots of people in, and a business can charge more for each person because there's a special event taking place.
Where is Purr Cat Cafe?
Purr Cat Cafe in Brighton, Massachusetts and Cat Cafe Madison in Madison, Wisconsin are examples of cat cafes that have a single location. Catmosphere Cafe , Crumbs and Whiskers and Kitty Cafe all have two locations.
What is a cat cafe?
A cat cafe is generally run out of a storefront. Businesses operating out of a physical location typically require a Certificate of Occupancy (CO). A CO confirms that all building codes, zoning laws and government regulations have been met.
What do you need to rescue an animal?
It could be as minor as making sure the animal’s vaccinations are up to date, or as major as ortho pedic surgery on a leg or hip. You will need to be prepared financially, emotionally and physically to deal with sickness, injury and disease.
How does having a veterinarian make a difference?
Having one or several veterinarians working closely with you will make all the difference in the quality of medical care you can provide for the animals in your charge.
Why do we need sanctuary animals?
We strongly recommend that every sanctuary be linked to an active spay/neuter program. Pet overpopulation is the reason we have to create sanctuaries for unwanted animals, so one of the first priorities is to try and prevent more of these animals from coming into the world .
Why is humane education important in animal sanctuary?
Humane education is another vital part of your sanctuary work – and not only for children. Every encounter with the public offers an opportunity to educate and inform. A lot of problems people experience with their pets stem from lack of knowledge about the animals and their behavior. So, giving people the necessary information can often keep pets in their homes. Our website contains a Resources section that offers many downloadable handouts on basic animal care.
Can animals be on their own?
In fact, no animal likes to be on his/her own. Unless there is a health or safety issue, all the animals in your care should have friends with whom to share their lives. However, it is best to keep cats and dogs as far away from each other as possible. Cats can be stressed by being housed too close to dogs.
Does a sanctuary offer spay and neuter?
When possible, the sanctuary itself should offer these services, not only to sanctuary animals, but also to the general public. Best Friends, for example, operates a spay/neuter program for the local area. And every animal who is adopted out from the sanctuary is already “fixed.”
How to trap a cat that is not hungry?
Now you're ready for the fun part - trapping! Withhold all food the day before trapping begins so the cats are real hungry. You could do everything else correctly, but if the cats aren't hungry, they won't go in the traps. Leave two days to trap even if you're after only one or two cats, and three days if you're after more than a few. That way, you're protected if there's bad weather or someone unexpectedly leaves out a bowl of food that morning. On the scheduled day, transport the cats to the clinic, then pick them up and bring them to your holding space for recovery. After they've had enough time to recuperate, return them to their territory. If there were a couple of cats you didn't catch in time for your spay/neuter day, keep trying to catch them for as long as the rest of the colony is confined. The hassle of arranging their surgeries will often be less than the difficulty of trying to trap them later when the rest of the cats are loose, too.
Do cats come to you at the same time?
Cats are habitual creatures and will learn to all show up at the appointed hour - which means they'll come to you at that same hour when it's time to trap. While establishing a pattern, count the cats and assess if any have special needs like young kittens you'll want to foster.
Can you work with feral cats?
Working with feral cats safely and effectively requires some training. The good news is there's plenty of informational material available. You can read through the How to TNR pages on this site, download and review the Neighborhood Cats TNR Handbook and watch our How to Perform a Mass Trapping video. If you're in the New York City area, attend one of our workshops and gain access to free spay/neuter, traps and other assistance.
