My impression of catteries with our previous cats was never a good one: long cold corridors housing…read moreglass-fronted cells, the inmates veering between listless dejection and frantic beseeching, one or two ersatz mice on the hard floor, the result of a desultory attempt at play.
Maxime's cattery is an entirely different kettle of steamed fish terrine. My cat actually gets EXCITED when he realises where we are. He perks up from his default "car journey" state (self-pitying immobility in the footwell) and starts to put his paws against the windows, purring and eager to hop out. He trots excitedly towards his chalet; I only follow behind, holding the lead on his harness. There is no reluctance or fear here.
Oakwork Breeding & Boarding Cattery sits on a hill in the middle of pretty much nowhere, overlooking some simply stunning views. The wooden chalets contain a litter tray, food dishes, heated mat and an overhead heat lamp. The heated mat is on a conveniently raised shelf (cats love being high up) next to a window, which looks out into the little yard that adjoins each chalet, open to the fresh Yorkshire air but kept dry by an overhead covering. The barn door to the chalet houses a cat-flap so that your little one can go out into his or her personal yard area at leisure. There's privacy in the chalets, but the yards are separated with fine wire mesh, meaning that cats can communicate with their neighbours if they wish.
Unlike many places, which are dog kennels that also run a sideline in cat boarding, it's a cat-only environment. There's boarding for small animals out in the garage, but for the cats, there are no unfamiliar noises or frightening smells. You're welcome (in fact encouraged) to bring along toys and blankets and all sorts of familiar things for the resident in question, but if you're not able to, or kitty seems to be a little bored, Maxime will bring some out to add to the mix.
There's a simple reason that Guybrush (that's his name, deal with it) loves Maxime, and it's this: Maxime loves him. She just loves cats. She gets to know and understand her charges, and can comment on Brushy's behaviour when I pick him up - things that only someone who has spent time with him would observe. He's a semi-longhaired cat, a Ragdoll, so she even devotes time to giving him a bit of brushing during their regular play and affection time, just like when he's at home with me.
Meals are twice a day, and if you let her know in advance the exact food your cat likes, she will make sure she has it in. Pick-up and drop-off slots, likewise, are twice a day, which is really convenient. The standard cost is £8 per day or part-day, including the days of drop-off and collection, which is just the most incredible value for the standard of care and accommodation Maxime provides.
And how about this. The first time I had to put Guybrush into boarding, barely more than a kitten, I was understandably fretful. Maxime took my phone number and texted me updates on his behaviour and even a photograph of him sitting out in the sunshine. The peace of mind I've always had from bringing Brushy here is unparalleled. Now that he's finally coming to live with me in Scotland, I'm sad that neither he nor I will have cause to come here as frequently. I only hope we can find its equal up in Edinburgh.
