New venture aims to be number one destination for cats holidaying in North Yorkshire

With panoramic views of Hambleton’s sweeping countryside, a bird feeding station to watch from their thermostat-controlled suites and not a dog to be sniffed at for miles around, this North Yorkshire cattery aims to be the number one destination for holidaying felines.

Mog Cabins has been set up by Lucy and Chris Woodall who built the 11 cabin cattery in the garden of their home at Ainderby Steeple.

It is equipped with cosy beds – complete with heat pads for the aching joints of elderly cats – along with scratching posts, cushions, toys, chairs and each pod has its own individual heater.

Chris and Lucy Woodall of Mog Cabins Cattery at Ainderby Steeple. Picture: Richard Doughty Photography

And if that wasn’t enough to put even the most highly strung pet as ease; the cattery is sprayed with a replica of happy cat pheromones before their arrival.

Pictures of pets enjoying their holidays are also posted on social media, so distant owners can follow their moggy’s progress.

To ensure cats don’t give their owners the cold shoulder when they return, Mr and Mrs Woodall even make sure they meet each cat’s individual emotional needs. Each guest gets to enjoy some time playing or just sitting with their hosts.

“Cats do have their own routines,” said Mrs Woodall.

“They might have playtime during the morning, or lap time or just need company. Then in the afternoon, they probably have nap time, which are all separate from cleaning and feeding.

“They all get designated time here; they need that when they’re away from home.”

Mr Woodall, who works as a solicitor and will help out on evenings and weekends at the cattery, added: “You can tell if your cat has had a good time away. We focus a lot on that; we recently had a really old 19-year-old cat who just wanted to be sitting with someone for company during the day and didn’t want to play with toys.”

Mrs Woodall said she grew up on a farm and her husband grew up in a rural area of North Yorkshire near Osmotherley. After many years of working in offices they both relished the chance to also run a business from their home in the picturesque Hambleton countryside.

“We feel we’re going back to our roots," she said.

Mog Cabins Cattery at Ainderby Steeple . Picture: Richard Doughty Photography

"We both like cats. It’s a great opportunity to work from home and appreciate our garden; it was my mother who suggested it. She said it would be the best place for a cattery as we had this lovely garden.

“It’s quiet and peaceful. They can look at the birds outside and hopefully some butterflies in summer and get all the smells from outside.”

Mr Woodall added: "You get a lot back from cats. They're beautiful creatures and we love having them here."