The Canberra Times

Cat motel more than accommodation, it's a place of love and care

Cat motel more than accommodation, it's a place of love and care
Cat motel more than accommodation, it's a place of love and care

Story sponsored by Miss U Motel for Moggies.

Here's the story of two lovely ladies that were bringing up four very lovely cats.

But when the time came to go on holiday, they couldn't find anywhere that met their requirements.

So they built their own place and that's how they came to own a pet motel.

No, it's not the plot of a new sitcom - or even a delightful Pixar movie - this is the everyday life of Canberra couple Yvette and LouEllen.

The owners of Miss U Motel For Moggies run a boutique cattery at Springrange, just 10 minutes over the ACT border, and they both have backgrounds in veterinary care and are passionate about all animals, cats in particular.

When they decided to build their own feline boarding facility, they did so with one simple goal in mind: providing the most loving, stress-free, homely environment for their clients' furr babies as possible.

"While there are many good catteries around the region we felt that there was a need for a small, intimate and personalised facility," LouEllen explained.

"That's why we established the Miss U Motel for Moggies, a boutique style cattery. We provide a 'home away from home' for our guests with a routine that is as close as possible to what your babies might be used to at home."

"It's really important to us that the cats are all happy and relaxed and that they feel safe and loved during their holiday," Yvette added.

"If the cats are happy and our clients are happy, then we're happy. We monitor them closely to ensure that they're eating, drinking and toileting, and administer medications as required."

The Miss U Motel For Moggies is more like a summer camp for cats than a pet boarding facility. The Motel is built inside a large converted barn on the couple's property, just outside of Canberra, and far exceeds the minimum legal standards for pet boarding facilities.

Each guest has their own room. They also have a large indoor common area and an outdoor area for them to explore. All of the cats are given equal attention and are allowed out to play individually or to socialise together if they have the appropriate vaccination type and temperament.

Between them, LouEllen and Yvette have worked in the veterinary industry for more than 30 years. They currently work at the Kippax and Kaleen Veterinary Hospitals. LouEllen is a qualified vet nurse and Yvette is a veterinary receptionist.

Cat motel more than accommodation, it's a place of love and care
Cat motel more than accommodation, it's a place of love and care

However, they plan their working hours around the needs of the motel as the care of their guests is their number one priority. This is their dream job, they say, it really is a labour of love.

Their veterinary background and years of experience also enable them to spot potential health problems and to advise the clients of any concerns when they pick them up.

The couple's five acre farm is a loving home to one very spoiled kitty named Jaylou and in the paddocks live four very lucky, rescued critters: the sheep Jerysey & Sunday, and the goats Jaxon & Jilly. To round out the funny farm are five very happy free range chickens.

Miss U Motel For Moggies offers competitive rates. A single stay (one cat) costs $33 per night. A double stay (two cats) costs just $62 per night. For multiple cats, rates are negotiable, depending on number of rooms required. Discounts apply for stays greater than four weeks.

All rates are fully inclusive of playtime, outdoor time, brushing and treats. No charges apply for administration of basic medications. Diabetic cats are welcome - rates by negotiation.

For more information, call Yvette on 0404 872 803 or LouEllen on 0402 108 711. Alternatively, visit: https://www.missumotel.com.au/

Story sponsored by Miss U Motel for Moggies.