Why you need to treat your feline friend to the ultimate spa experience
According to a 2021/22 survey, (and this won’t come as a surprise) cats were ranked second most commonly owned pet in the UK, with a population of around 11.1 million.
And, gone are the days of homes being filled with mix-breed toms, the top ten cats in the UK include designer breeds such as British Shorthair, Maine Coon and Ragdoll.
With an anecdotal rise of longhaired cats, there is a clear demand for specialised cat groomers.
If you’re looking for a qualified cat groomer with added luxury for your feline friend in East Anglia, look no further than Cats At Home.
Rapid Growth
One of the major selling points for Cats at Home is its cat-experienced owner, Charlie Galbraith.
Prior to opening one of Norfolk’s most popular cat groomers (and only cat spa), Charlie qualified and worked as a veterinary nurse, then moved into training and management of veterinary practices. This has given her unrivalled experience in the handling and treatment of your prized pet.
“When I’m grooming a cat I’m paying close attention to their body and their fur, this means that sometimes I can spot things which may go unnoticed. Our customers really appreciate that I have the qualified knowledge to enable them to refer to a vet if needed,” shared Charlie.
What started as a small, at-home venture to support Charlie’s busy family life, has now flourished into a successful business with its own premises in Wymondham and a small team.
“When I opened the spa, I aimed to treat between six and ten cats a week. Now, we are seeing 50-60 cats a week!” said Charlie.
To support the busy books, the spa has a team of five. “I was only expecting to take on one staff member!”, she added.
Whilst Charlie focuses on the complex task of clipping, her team of “amazing female staff” take on other tasks such as washing, caring and human customer service.
With such rapid growth since its move to its new home, Charlie sees the opportunity for the business to expand nationwide.
“I’ve not encountered a cat grooming business quite like ours, and so I may look to expand into Cambridge or Essex if the right opportunity comes along,” said Charlie, with the hopes to open three to five new salons across the UK.
Closer to home, Charlie plans to expand the Norfolk client base and grow and train staff accordingly.
Tailored service
Cats at Home offers a unique grooming experience for cats, with an appreciation for the individuality of each of its furry clients at its core.
The spa includes two treatment rooms, a cat bath, blow dryer and chair for nail clipping.
It’s important to Charlie that Cats at Home doesn’t use sedation to ensure cats can be groomed. So, relaxation therapy plug-ins are used throughout, as well as a cat tree, toys and a window for distraction.
Offering services to cats from eight weeks old kittens through to geriatrics, Charlie understands the importance of each cat needing treatment tailored to its nature.
“Whilst we can treat any cat, we specialise in elderly cats. Our oldest feline customer is 24 years old! I also have experience in treating feral cats, so we really can cater for all,” explained Charlie.
Why Visit?
A busy spa, seven days a week, clearly Cats at Home is popular with its cats and “cat parent” customers alike.
Here’s why:
- Treatments are performed by a qualified vet nurse, with over 20 years experience;
- Offers an array of treatments from nail clips and maintenance grooms, through to dematt, thinning and lion cuts;
- Zero sedation with a focus on relaxation and tailored care.
“People adore their cats, but with busy lifestyles and an increased popularity in long-haired cats which typically don’t self-maintain well, our pets’ fur can easily become unruly. Cats at Home are here to support you in keeping your cat looking its best, whilst offering an unrivalled, personal experience,” said Charlie.
If it’s time to treat your cat to a professional tidy-up or a full-blown make over, Cats at Home can be found on the following platforms:
Instagram: @catsathomeuk
Facebook: facebook.com/catsathomeuk
Website: www.catsathomeuk.com
The spa in Wymondham is open Monday to Friday from 8am to 9pm and Saturday and Sunday from 10am to 6pm.