Catteries struggling to meet summer holiday demand

Richard Rallison, from Hedgerows Cattery in Alpington, Norfolk

The holiday plans of some cat owners have become more complicated this year due to the number of catteries being fully booked months in advance.

The charity Cats Protection has estimated that the number of UK households owning a cat rose from 23% in 2020 to 26% in 2023 following the Covid pandemic, peaking at about 11 million cats.

While those numbers declined slightly last year, the recovery of the holiday industry saw catteries and cat-sitting services in Norfolk struggling to meet demand.

Richard Rallison, from Hedgerows Cattery in Alpington, said: "It's absolutely chocka-block, I've known nothing like it."

Claire Rallison from Hedgerows Cattery

Mr Rallison has managed the business, near Norwich, with his wife Claire since 2014.

He explained: "We roughly run about 30 to 40 and we are pretty much full up all of the time. Through to November we can't do a week or more unless we get any cancellations.

"I think people going away on holiday after Covid is a factor, demand for cat places is obviously finite and more cats seem to come into Norfolk with the population increase.

"It's more of a complex thing then just Covid but that's definitely a factor."

Marina Murdoch has run Clay Cottage Cattery in Cranworth, near Watton, with her husband Mark since 2014.

They have expanded since then and now have 20 cat chalets in their garden which are regularly occupied.

Marina Murdoch from Clay Cottage Cattery in Cranworth, Norfolk

"I'm fully booked all the way through to November," said Mrs Murdoch. "We're just getting busier and busier over the years and we're now busy in the winter months that used to be quiet.

"So many catteries have shut that everyone with a cat is having to travel further. I'm taking on two to three customers a week.

"We've actually had the cattery on the market for 18 months and not had anyone interested in taking over which has surprised us, as it's quite lucrative.

"You can pretty much name your price because it's about supply and demand – and the demand is outrageous."

Cats Protection estimated that UK cat ownership dropped from 11 million in 2023 to 10.6 million last year.

The charity offers advice on holiday options and urges owners to "book a cattery far in advance" of any trip.

Tracy McGowan runs Maccy G Pets, a pet sitting service based in Norwich, with her husband Lea and has also been inundated with enquiries in recent months.

She said: "I have noticed a big increase this year in new customers contacting me, a lot higher than previous years, so I guess that is as a result of catteries being full."

Tracy McGowan from Norwich-based Maccy G Pets

The couple's service includes going into people's homes when they are away to feed their pet, change litter trays and spend time with them.

Mrs McGowan added: "I send my customers a video every day of their cat doing what they enjoy.

"It's usually a couple of minutes long and I find that my customers really enjoy having a video, especially if they have children as well."