Back in April, we told you about how Paws for Thought got started back in 2000 – set up from nothing. This month, we’d like to tell you about how we came to buy the cattery in August 2010.
Denise and I haven’t always worked with cats. Far from it. We’ve had various jobs over the course of our lives – one that stands out for me was working for a pond supplies company, and having to wade through tanks of water to clean them. But by 2010 we had been working in professional posts at the same school for several years. I remember one occasion when I arrived to teach a class only to find that my students were on strike – the spokesman told me that they would not co-operate until I agreed to their demands. What demands? Well, apparently, Denise had told them about a cat she wanted to adopt, but she wasn’t sure whether I’d let her… Of course I said yes, I was always happy to take in a cat. The students had their victory, and we were back in the business of learning.
A new start in 2010
In early 2010, we realised that we’d had enough of working for other people and wanted to start our own business. We agreed on a cattery as our ideal job and set about looking for an established one up for sale. We had two on our list to view, but we never got as far as seeing the one in Gloucestershire. We fell in love with Paws for Thought, the cattery in the woods at the top of the hill in Lambs Lane, Sible Hedingham. We made the owners an offer and changed our lives.
We’ve done a lot to the place over the last fifteen years. We built the pens around the courtyard and put in a fountain in the centre. The fountain brings the birds and other wildlife, which is free entertainment for the cats. We built a new block of pens to one side of the lawn with a different set-up to the main block, allowing us to offer a variety of pen types to suit each set of guests. Big family? Take one of the family cabins. Needing access ramps? We have a pen for that. Or does your cat prefer to climb and hide and explore?
With a little help…
We’ve faced problems in our bid to expand the business – a temperamental website, the block of pens in urgent need of repair, discovering how many pallets of litter and food, how many beds and snugs and bowls and litter trays it takes to keep a cattery full of pampered guests happy – but we’ve worked our way through it with a lot of help from our wonderful suppliers. Anderson Electrics, for running the electrical supply to our refurbished and new blocks. Ardmore Veterinary surgery at Yeldham for being there at short notice when a cat in our care seems to be unwell. Eastern Counties Pest Control for making sure that the only creatures in our pens are the cats who have been invited to stay. Marks Tey Discount Pet Foods, our one-stop shop for everything a cat needs to be happy. Polyspiral Websites and Hosting, for revamping our website at short notice and providing helpful advice on making the most of it.
Facing the problems
It’s been a busy and sometimes stressful fifteen years. In 2018 we had to apply for a licence under the new Animal Welfare Regulations and prepare for an inspection of our premises and practices. We’re relieved to say that we gained a five-star rating back then, and on each subsequent inspection. The tougher problem was Covid-19 and all the restrictions everybody had to comply with. Keeping a distance from each other. Wearing masks. Staying at home. Our usual hectic schedule of offering cats a place to stay while their owners left home for a break or a house move dwindled to nothing, and the fun of hearing where the humans had been on holiday gave way to worrying about our regular customers’ health and jobs.
We love running Paws for Thought – the humans are always excited about where they’re going or where they’ve just returned from and the cats are always a delight. It was a huge leap into a different way of life, going from two salaried professional jobs to running a business, but I can safely say that we’re glad we took that leap.
Has your cat enjoyed a holiday with us this month? Please leave us a review on Google!
