Running a cattery in a beautiful part of the UK seems like an idyllic occupation - particularly when the sun is shining.  The reality can be quite different - every run needs to be cleaned each day, litter boxes have to be emptied in hail, ice and rain and some cats can be downright difficult!  FAB cattery proprietors are a dedicated, hard working group.  They love their feline guests and enjoy the life they have chosen to live, finding reward enough in contented cats and grateful owners. 

2004 saw the first ever Cattery of the Year competition and such was the popularity of this that FAB joined forces again for 2005 with Your Cat magazine and Purina Pro Plan, to run the Cattery of the Year 2005 competition to acknowledge their commitment.

Unsurprisingly, this attracted hundreds of entries from cat owners keen to support their favourite cattery.  Some owners have used the same cattery for many years, trusting no-one else to care for their beloved pets.  Many would sooner cancel their holiday than leave their cat anywhere except their favourite cattery.

WINNER 2005

Elaine & John Culf

Breighton Cats' Lodge

Breighton

Nr Selby

North Yorkshire

Y08 6DH

Tel: 01757 289005

Breighton Cats Lodge is a feline paradise in beautiful North Yorkshire.  The cattery has been run by Elaine and John Culf in Breighton near Selby since September 2002.  In that time, they have transformed the cattery - its buildings and environment - into a stunning hotel for cats.  Cat owners praised not only the care and attention given to cats, but the standard of the buildings and beautiful gardens.   

Claire Bessant, Chief Executive of the Feline Advisory Bureau said:

"The standard of all the catteries which were short listed in the Cattery of the Year 2005 was exceptional.  Choosing an overall winner was a very difficult task for the judges but the final unanimous choice was Breighton Cats Lodge.  Elaine and John are constantly looking for ways to improve their cattery, with their main concern being the safety and comfort of the cats.  They have worked on it continually, re-furbishing and re-building to the highest possible standard.

Elaine's attention to detail is outstanding - her administration and procedures manual is totally comprehensive.  She makes sure that she knows everything about the cats in her care - any change in diet or behaviour is noted.

Needless to say, every cat is treated with individual love and attention.  Breighton Cats Lodge is an outstanding cattery and a worthy winner of the 2005 award for Cattery of the Year.  We congratulate Elaine and John on their hard work and success."

JOINT RUNNERS-UP

Rose & Robert Cookes, Catz Cattery, Eastcote Hall Farm, Barston Lane, Hampton-in-Arden, Solihull, West Midlands, B92 0HR

Tel: 01675 443366

Vanda & Dave Ashbolt, Pinewood Cattery, 474 Woodham Lane, Woking, Surrey, GU21 5TP

Tel: 01932 340434  

HIGHLY COMMENDED

Ed & Nel White, Moss Side Cottage Cattery, Moss Side Lane, Stalmine, Poulton-le-Fylde, Lancs, FY6 0LP

Tel: 01253 700351

Jean Gillespie, Rainton Gate Luxury Cats' Hotel, Pittington Lane, Rainton Gate, Durham, DH5 9RG Tel: 01915 841845

Sue Swinchatt-Jones, Semliki Boarding Cattery, Afonwen, Mold, Flintshire, North Wales, CH7 5UL

Tel: 01352 720528

FINALISTS

Lisa & Phil Turner, Lynbrook Cattery, Lynbrook, Dob Lane, Little Hoole, Nr Preston, Lancs, PR4 4SU

Tel: 01772 613087

Beverley Hill, The Cats' Cradles Boarding Cattery, 8 Newhall Street, Tipton, West Midlands, DY4 9HL

Tel: 0121 520 5119

2004 winner was Adwick Cats' Lodge in Doncaster which is run by Mrs Angie Oliver and her husband John.  It was unanimously chosen because of Angie's "outstanding rapport with the cats."

Residents at Adwick Cats' Lodge enjoy personal attention from Angie and John, idyllic surroundings which include a beautiful garden and warm, clean and comfortable accommodation.  As many owners remark, it is like a five star hotel and some even wish they had four paws and a tail to enable them

to enjoy such luxury!

NB. Adwick Cats' Lodge was exempt from entering the 2005 competition.