Feline fine at cattery

How about your own suite with flat screen TV, soothing aquarium and comfy cushions on the bed?

You might have to talk nicely to your owner though, because this ‘hotel’ is purely for cats.

Pampered felines can now recline in the Mew Hefner suite, complete with Playboy blankets.

While the Miss Kitty suite, with Hello Kitty decor and a faux leather bed, will be opening its doors shortly.

Guests are also be served from an a la carte menu.

The luxury pads are the latest addition to Leawood Cattery in Gainsborough, run by Liz Burman.

“I know I’m certifiable,” she laughed, but the cats are my clients and I want them to have the best.”

“I like to give the cats that come here the same treatment I would want for my own cats.”

The first guests in the Mew Hefner were Siamese cats Paisley and Monty who seemed to have settled in very nicely.

They were watching a DVD about Africa and seemed fascinated by the pretend jellyfish floating around in the multicoloured aquarium.

Liz, 46, who lives next door to the cattery, on Gainsborough Road, said: “We’ve got a selection of cat-themed DVDs like the Aristocats, the Cats musical, Tom and Jerry, Top Cat and Born Free.”

“On the menu we have chicken and pumpkin, which is excellent for coat condition, real tuna, white fish, and duck and trout on request.”

Liz is having an open day on 15th September, 2-4pm, when Mayor of Gainsborough Coun Lesley Rollings will perform the official opening and Liz’s eldest daughter Anna - stage name Raven - will be dancing with her performing arts group Dr Strangelove’s Burlesque Discotheque.

Liz opened the cattery in 2009 with six units and now has 15. She also has plans to expand further, even offering spa weekends for cats.

“I do back massages which they love, it nearly sends them to sleep, and I wash and groom them and do their nails. My husband says he’s coming back as a cat because he’d get more attention!” she laughed.

“I’ve always been up for a challenge. We recently came fourth in the national pet awards for pet boarding establishments. The place that came third sold animal medication on site so I’ve decided to take my exam with the Animal Medicines Training Regulatory Authority so that I can sell medicines here.”

“I want to keep improving and so far we’ve grown mainly by word of mouth recommendations.”

Liz can survive on four or five hours sleep a night, which is a good thing considering what she manages to cram into her days.

As well as “virtually living” at the cattery, where she works on her own, she homes schools her youngest daughter Keeley, 13, while also looking after middle daughter Zara, 16. Liz’s disabled dad also lives with them.

On top of that she shows her own six Birman cats, one of which was won the national award for best adult male in 2009, and is on the committee for the Yorkshire County Cat Club Show.

“Our slogan is ‘cats come first, cuddles come free’ and I’m Auntie Lizzie to all the cats here,” she said.