Small garden cattery at home

Local cat owners going on holiday or away for work, plus people who need cover during a house move or building work.

A nightly fee per cat, with extras such as a second cat sharing a pen, medication or a premium pen. Bookings peak at school holidays and summer, so quieter months need planning.

• Calm and confident with cats
• Reliable daily routine, including early mornings and weekends
• Good communication with worried owners
• Spotting early signs of illness or stress in a cat

• Cat boarding generally needs a council licence, and rules differ between England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland, so check with your council
• Planning permission may be needed for the building, and your landlord or mortgage lender may need to agree
• Animal boarding insurance and public liability cover, plus cover for cats in your care
• Vaccination and flea treatment requirements for guest cats, and what to do if one falls ill
• Seasonal demand, so income can be uneven through the year
• Noise and smell for neighbours, and being tied to the site every day

Startup costs are typically estimated at around £8,000 to £30,000, depending on the size of the unit, the number of pens and the build. Planning permission and landlord or mortgage lender agreement are worth checking too.

Monthly revenue is typically estimated at around £800 to £3,500, depending on your number of pens, prices and bookings. Demand is seasonal, so income can be uneven through the year.

Cat boarding generally needs a council licence, and rules differ between England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland, so check with your council. Also check planning permission, animal boarding and public liability insurance, and vaccination and flea treatment requirements.