A pur-r-r-r-fect home away from home
BERARIO – A cat lover's dream to own a luxury cat hotel has finally come true.
Local resident, Pauline Bennett has always loved cats and this life-long passion led her to establish a luxury cat hotel called Kitty Kaya in 2010.
It took Bennett 18 months to get the hotel approved by the Johannesburg City Council and six months to build it in her back yard.
“I’m licensed to have 40 guests. Each cat has its own room and enclosed patio area. The rooms have underfloor and panel heating in winter to keep the cats warm. I have a staff member who helps me maintain the rooms, that are cleaned three times a day.
“The cats are like children; they like throwing their cats around and making a mess,” joked Bennett.
“Cats are like children. They like throwing their toys around,” joked Bennett.
She added that when cats leave, their rooms are thoroughly sterilised in order to protect the next cat that will stay there. Cats can stay as long as it is necessary and she recalls the longest a cat has stayed is nine months. Easter and Christmas are their busiest time of the year although most of the time they are full throughout the year.
“I believe I have a deep understanding of cats and see them as soulful and intelligent animals. I have a sense when they are sick, depressed or miserable. When possible I occasionally feed and take care of feral cats which are born in the wild and have never been house cats,” said Bennett.
Details: Pauline Bennett 011 678 7983; kittykaya@mweb.co.za
