In 2008, cat fancier Holly Bathgate was at Blakehurst Vet, run by her husband Hamish, when she answered the phone to a client who wanted to board her cat for six weeks. Holly looked at their short-term boarding cages and just couldn’t bring herself to say yes.
The encounter made her want to create a Hotel for Cats, a place where cat families could take a break knowing their cats would be having a holiday of their own. She looked at an unused area of the vet with new eyes and employed a local carpenter to help her design and build cage-free suites.Â
Holly and Hamish rolled up their sleeves and worked hard to create the purr-fect place, spending evenings and weekends painting, wallpapering, installing beds, TVs and climbing shelves. Soon the rooms were ready for their first guests.
It wasn’t an overnight success and for the first two months, the Hotel had just one guest whose owners were renovating and needed long-term accomodation for their puddycat. Before long, the the Hotel for Cats was being noticed as something new in cat boarding, a place with big rooms where cats could stretch and play. Gradually, Sydney cats started holidaying at the Hotel. Puddies were happy and their families were happy. Yay!
A decade later, both the Hotel and Vet outgrew their spaces and the hunt was on for a new home. In 2020, Holly and Hamish rented a former warehouse on King Georges Road and put their love and labour into creating a custom-built facility for Hamish’s Vet and Holly’s Hotel. Two years later, they opened the new facility and now their clients enjoy parking, a quiet rear entrance, a modern vet hospital and gorgeous accommodations for felines.
Today, Holly remains involved in the Hotel, focusing on maintenance, improvements and IT. She is also unofficially the Chief Guest Cuddler. Daily operations are run by our dedicated Hotel Manager Corey and his paw-some team. Hamish is still our cherished Head Vet.
Corey Tanswell
Corey, our fabulous Hotel Manager, has extensive experience in animal handling and facilities management, with an impressive career spanning country NSW and Sydney. He is also a whisker away from being a qualified vet nurse. We are so lucky to have Corey at the Hotel for Cats. The guests know that and so do their families.
Corey has become renowned among our two, three and four-legged guests for his professional, friendly demeanour and unwavering dedication to providing the highest level of care. He leads a team of devoted cat lovers who are trained to ensure every aspect of your cat’s stay is filled with love, attention and fun.
No matter what personality your cat has or your budget, Corey and his team will make your family member feel right at home, with oodles of cuddles and attention paid to even the smallest detail. With Corey overseeing operations, you can rest assured that your beloved feline is in safe and capable hands.
“Thank you for considering Hotel for Cats for your feline friend’s next holiday. We look forward to welcoming your puddycat to our home and providing them with an unforgettable five-star experience.”
Hotel Manager Corey
Corey Tanswell
Corey, our fabulous Hotel Manager, has extensive experience in animal handling and facilities management, with an impressive career spanning country NSW and Sydney. He is also a whisker away from being a qualified vet nurse. We are so lucky to have Corey at the Hotel for Cats. The guests know that and so do their families.
Corey has become renowned among our two, three and four-legged guests for his professional, friendly demeanour and unwavering dedication to providing the highest level of care. He leads a team of devoted cat lovers who are trained to ensure every aspect of your cat’s stay is filled with love, attention and fun.
No matter what personality your cat has or your budget, Corey and his team will make your family member feel right at home, with oodles of cuddles and attention paid to even the smallest detail. With Corey overseeing operations, you can rest assured that your beloved feline is in safe and capable hands.
“Thank you for considering Hotel for Cats for your feline friend’s next holiday. We look forward to welcoming your puddycat to our home and providing them with an unforgettable five-star experience.”
Hotel Manager Corey
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We understand that sometimes you may require a check-in or check-out outside of these designated hours. In such cases, you are welcome to check in/out during our reception hours. An additional fee of $20 will be applicable for each early or late check-in or check-out.
Monday to Saturday: Check-in begins at 12pm, and check-out is at 11am.
We are located within Blakehurst Vet. Park down the driveway. Entrance at rear for your cat’s comfort. Reception hours as follows:
Monday to Friday: 9am to 6pm
Saturday: 9am to 3pm
Reception is closed on Sundays and public holidays
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