Suzi and Nick Cooper moved to Theberton to launch their boarding cattery and after eight years of planning and preparation Hotel Catifornia opened in June 2016.
Suzi is a retired qualified medical secretary working the NHS and private sector for many years. She has owned cats all her life and has a deep understanding and experience. In 2020 she studied for and passed a diploma on welfare of cats and management of cats in a cattery environment which included topics such as anatomy and physiology, first aid, nutrition and cat psychology. Having worked in the NHS she has a good understanding of the necessities for policies and protocols and this is just as important when looking after other people’s pets.
Nick works as a business analyst specialising in data protection. As a very practical man he provides the extra pair of hands during busy periods and helps with maintenance and any repairs. Being self employed, both Nick and Suzi know how a good business should be managed. She does all the paperwork and accounts and they use an excellent software package to manage the bookings and clients.
They are very proud of Hotel Catifornia, especially the wonderful reviews about the standard of care they offer their guests. Sharing the household are our own pussycats, Midnight Sox, the three “kittens” reared by hand from two weeks old in July 23, Cassius, Florri and Candy, Border Collie Barney (not allowed in the cattery!) and the four hens Lola, Lulu, Carmen and Cleopatra, whose run backs on to the cattery providing Pen 8 with great cat TV.
Sandrine started with us as a freelance cleaner in July 23, having been a customer for many years. We always end her cleaning session with a cuppa, sometimes with customers joining us! It is wonderful to have a reliable member of the team and she is so quick and thorough!
During very busy times Sandrine is here, even on a Saturday, to empty the pens and get them clean before the next occupants arrive: post-Christmas 25 was madly busy with seven pussy cats going and seven more coming in.
Sandrine loves coming to see all the feline guests and will spend time with them giving cuddles and taking photos.
Joan Harvey, our near neighbour, is our key holder.
When we opened in 2016 we held a party and Joan, having an excellent sense of occasion and as a local councillor, donned Ascot hat and opened Hotel Catifornia officially complete with ribbon cutting.
Joan has often helped out feeding the guests or manning the phones at busy times.
Hi everyone, we are Paul and Mel.
We love coming to Hotel Catifornia, looking after your lovely cats whilst Suzi and Nick are away and we look forward to meeting you too.
We adore cats and have owned a number of lovely boys and girls over the years.
In 2022 we sold our successful Country House Hotel in West Wales, which we thoroughly enjoyed, and launched Dependable Pet Sitting which involves looking after businesses and individuals' pets and houses.
We have been all over the UK and Cyprus looking after cats and dogs.
Our website is https://www.dependablehousesitters.co.uk
Helen Lagden is landlady at The Theberton Lion and close friend to Hotel Catifornia. She acts as join key-holder with Joan and occasionally comes over in emergencies, for instance when Nick and Suzi’s flight was delayed and the pet sitter at the time could not stay! She and husband Tom know and love cats as much as Suzi and Nick do!
