Berrycourt Kennels & Cattery

I am only giving a one star rating as I have to, it won't let me give no stars! These people are clearly not cat lovers even pet lovers, it is managed with no care, attention, cleanliness or even thought of the cats welfare. I have had cats for nearly twenty years and my current cat has travelled trans-atlantic, stayed in a number of catteries - but to see her now you would think she has been traumatised, the poor thing. Due to a late travel arrangement, I inspected this cattery two days before travelling, it looked adequate and although the owner was not 'au fait' with cats, the runs were a good size, and had a covered area and ladder for playing. It was housed externally but all within a covered building, and normally I would not consider a joint cattery/kennel - the dogs were only audible outside the cattery. When I visited I advised that my cat didn't take to being near other cats, and I was told they were not full, she could be placed at the far end. The owner barely glanced at my cats papers and really didn't look like she knew what she was looking for. On dropping off my cat - her allocated pen was between two other cats, when only 4 were in residence. I asked for her to be moved which she was. Admittedly this was not her allocated pen, but it was clearly not cleaned well from the previous occupant. I had taken all of my cats own food, which the owner placed in a dirty bowl that still had cat hairs on it from another cat. I pointed this out and she wiped the bowl with her hand. The littler tray had barely a scoop in it. I had been in there less than 3 minutes was I was hurried out as I was told she was busy 'with the delivery of other dogs' I am a little soft and used to making sure my cat is settled and has lots of cuddles before I leave her. I was rapidly ushered out though. At this point I called around to find an alternative and was unlucky. I called later that day to ask if she hads settled and was told "she seems ok" I called again two days later to be asked why I was calling again, and that the cat seemed fine but was not eating. I called again two days later and was told 'goodness, she is fine' On collection, I must admit I was a little late due to traffic, but they are only open between 5 - 5.30pm each day. I was told I was too late and couldn't collect my cat. I pleaded a little and was met by a barrage of 'My Time is My time and you are spoiling my dinner" It was 5.40pm. I was told that the cattery section is now locked up for the evening. WHAT?? no checking on the cats again until morning? When I collected my cat, I was shocked - she was cowering behind her bed, which was her own one from home. She looked so dishevelled it really was heartbreaking. She came straight to me and then straight into her carrier, which she never does in any circumstance. As I walked out I could see at least two cats that had a tummy problem and their diarrhea had not been cleaned up in their pens. At home, it would be normal for my cat to sulk after coming home from a cattery. She has not left my side. She too has diarrhea now and I took her own food in. I would not use this cattery if you have any feelings at all for your pet. The standards here are very very poor.

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Kerryjane C.

I have had cats for nearly twenty years and this is by far the worst run and managed cattery I have ever had the mis-fortune of encountering. My cat is 7 years old, she has stayed in a slection of catteries and has flown to and from San Francisco when we moved there for 3 years. Yes she is a shy cat but the state in which I collected her was heartbreaking. I'll start at the beginning. I have been lucky and not had to use a cattery since our return to the UK 11 months ago.and I had to find one at a late stage before travelling. Berrycourt was advised to me by another cattery that had great reviews but no room. On inspection, 2 days before travelling, I found the cattery adequate, the runs and housing were of a good size, had a closed in area and a ladder, it was housed externally but within a covered area, and although it is also a kennels, I could only hear the dogs outside the housing unit. I noted that the runs were not terribly clean, the litter trays had abut a scoopful of litter in them and the lady that showed me around was not terribly cat au fait. I advised her that my cat was not good near other cats and she said that she would put her at the end away form other cats as she was not full. On the day of dropping off my cat - the run she intended for her was right in the middle of two other cats already there, i again advised her that she was not good and so she moved her to two pens away. Admittedly this was not the pen intended but it was not clean at all? I provided all the food and my cats own bedding. The owner grabbed a feed bowl, which she cleaned out woith her bare hand! It still had fur on it from a previous cat! I highlighted this to her and she took it away and wiped it. I was just settling my cat, I had been in ther no more than 3 minutes when I was told I had to leave as she was busy taking in dogs that morning. Now I am used to spending time to settle my cat and I admit I am a softie and like to have a cuddle before going away and making sure she is alright. I was rushed out of there and had to advise on the feeding situ en-route out. At this point I tried to call other catteries to find an alternative. I called the cattery that evening to see if she had settled - I got a poor response of ' she seems ok" Whilst away I called again every other day - and again was not relieved to only hear - 'Oh why are you calling?' "She is ok" 'Hasn't eaten in a couple of days" When I returned, i will confess I was a few minutes late collecting my cat due to traffic, the owner said I could not collect her as she was closed at 5.30 pm! She is only open between 5 and 5.30pm each day????? I tried again by saying it would only take a few mins, and I was hit by a barrage that 'Her Time is her time and that I was spoiling her dinner" at 5.40pm??? When I entered the cattery - I was shocked - there were 2 cats who clearly had a very poorly stomach and had diarrhea and had not had their litter or run cleaned up. My poor little one was cowering in the corner behind her bedding and looked so dishevelled it was heart breaking. She came out to me and went straight into her carrier - something she has never ever done in any situation before. She has been home 24 hrs now, she usually sulks for a couple of days but she hasn't left my side, she has cronic diarrhea and that was with me taking in her own food? The owner was rude, impassive, uncaring and clearly not a cat lover or even a decent pet carer. If you love your pet, stay away from here.

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Kerryjane C.