Opening a cattery/kennels

[janetsflower]

We are thinking about the possibility of opening a cattery/kennels in outbuildings at our home subject to planning permission which we have applied for but would be grateful for any other advice anyone can offer on opening this type of business. We have lots of experience of cats and dogs and their needs being owners of 8 cats and 4 dogs of our own ane we have loads of space for runs etc but are not sure where to find further advice about starting this type of business, dies anyone out there have any experience they would be kind enough to share? Many thanks

[kita1]

This has some useful articles:

http://www.kennelandcattery.com/index%20articl es.htm

[lankeela]

Advice? Don't! Run now, save yourselves, your lives will never be your own again!

Seriously, if you are determined to do this, your local authority will have full details of kennel design/requirements which are very strict, but if you want to learn a lot this book by David Cavill is very comprehensive:

http://www.corsini.co.uk/cavill/publications.h tm

Owning kennels would be ideal if it was just the dogs, its the owners that give you the grief.

My advice would be to keep it small, keep it exclusive and charge a lot! There are people who don't really want to leave their dogs and will pay good money for them to be looked after and given luxuries such as armchairs and carpets and a TV (yes, seriously!). Gear it to the top end of the market and you will have more money for less work.
Its what I would do if I was ever daft enough to want to run kennels again.

[kita1]

I think the ones that have a camera in each kennel so that the owners can watch them over the internet are great!!

[burnhal]

just one thought- I wouldnt send my cat to a combined cattery/kennels. I would want my moggy subject to constant barking for a week or two.

[burnhal]

read that as wouldnt want!!

[maggiemcgill]

In the past I have had cats & dogs but I agree with lankeela, as a first timer I would not combine kennel+cattery. Sometimes it can be hard enough to harmonise your own pets let alone numerous cats & dogs (some say natural enemies, whose temperament and quirks you know nothing about & answers to the boss within its own household)
I hope this doesn�t sound like I�m trying to put you off because, I would say go for it & become your own boss (goodness knows I wish I had the guts) but I�m reminded of the saying, start off small... (Not sure of the rest). Let us know how you get on!!!

Afterthought�posh kennels or o.k. but I know I couldn�t afford to put my pooch in a place with his own T.V. & in house private security surveillance system ;o)

[maggiemcgill]

I hope that the above answer makes sense, although I previewed & it seems that I have made a botch cutting & pasting�Sorry!!!