If you were told a stay at the luxury penthouse suite would cost you $27 a night you might not believe your luck? Well believe it, because this is what cat owners are paying for premium suites for their beloved felines.
Carrie McHardy and Andrew Cunningham love cats, they have five of their own.
They are owners of Riverside Cattery in Christchurch, which offers space and privacy for cats while their owners are on their own getaway.
“Our point of difference is we have big rooms, we have these lounge-size rooms for cat families,” said McHardy. “So we can take up to three, four, five cats in a big room.”
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These rooms are large enough for adults to live in, she says, and each have a unique view.
Sounds like the cat’s pyjamas, and it is.
The reason they have taken the luxury cattery to this level of space and privacy is because they believe a cat shouldn’t be cooped up for days. This is stressful and unhealthy, McHardy says.
She says the cats feel at home because they have the same space they would at their own residence, and don’t have to share with other visiting cats.
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Andrew Cunningham owns luxury cat accommodation, Riverside Cattery with his wife Carrie Mchardy.
Unlike some other catteries where there is a communal area, these cats never cross paths with “strangers” during their stay.
“They never touch, and we don’t have a communal area and that’s important for us, as it is a contamination risk.
“The penthouse can take up to four cats, it has two cat towers and snuggle beds too. They each have an outside view, cat tunnels and toys.”
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The penthouse can take up to four cats, so felines from the same family can stay together.
The room can cost up to $32 per cat. To add a cat from the same family, it will cost $10 per add on.
The couple took over the business four years ago and said they were booked out for Christmas almost a year in advance.
There are high and low maintenance owners, McHardy admits. But she doesn’t mind either way.
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The cattery is booked out for Christmas almost a year in advance, with similar demand over public holiday weekends.
“Some people book well in advance and book certain rooms. Some owners are really nervous on their first time, and they will ring every day to see how the cats are and check up on them.
“The big rooms are booked out for Labour weekend. We have a lady who books a year in advance.
“You get a few cats coming in the first time that are absolutely petrified, and then they will come out of their room in the first few days and see that everything is fine.”
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Some owners call the cattery every day of their holiday to check in on their pet.
McHardy says it isn’t a matter of an owner just dropping them off, and leaving them to it. She provides cuddles and “conversation” too.
“They like being talked to, so you do that. They can also go into the back of the unit and hide away and be private.”
There is a west wing for the shy cats.
“We put quieter cats there that don’t like a lot of people coming through.”
The west wing is where they can’t see other cats, but can look out at the back lawn. Purrfection.
There’s Lazy Lane, the Jungle Room, the Conservatory, the Senior Room, the Family Room and the Library, for the more schooled up cats.
Each room as an outside view, as cats need the mental stimulation, she says.
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Each room at Riverside Cattery has an outside view, as cats need them mental stimulation, owner Carrie McHardy says.
There is also an entirely different building for the unvaccinated, which isn’t mandated for cats.
Luxury catteries are not a new phenomenon, but this is Christchurch’s only one with rooms of this size.
The garden city appears to have a shortage as most catteries are booked out over public holidays well in advance.
