Feels like home...

Welcome

Family run Wisteria Boarding Cattery offers exclusive luxury accommodation for your cat and is located in Bradfield, near Manningtree.

With a friendly welcome we cater for your cat’s individual needs providing the very best loving care and attention. Our spacious accommodation has individual windows to the rear of each unit, a ramp, and shelves to play and climb on, and country views to keep your cat amused throughout their stay.

Our modern, hygienically clean, UPVC & glass design, combined with our heating & ventilation system will keep your cat comfortable all year round.

About us

Graham and I (Liz) moved to Bradfield in January 2018 excited to start our new life.

After much hard work and a little help from friends and neighbours along the way; the house has become our warm and comfortable home, and now the garden and our cattery has become our future.

The cattery fulfils my long held dream to work with animals. We have both cherished family cats for many years and now offer that very best loving care and attention to your cats. Whilst you are away you can relax with peace of mind that your cats are safe, secure and comfortable.

Luna having some 1-2-1 time whilst Sky is busy playing

The Details

Accommodation

We are only small and have just 10 double pens plus an isolation unit; this allows us to spend plenty of time with each visitor ensuring they are settled, groomed and happy at regular intervals throughout the day and evening. Cuddles and play time is free with additional enrichment provided regularly.

Each pen features a heated bedroom area for sleeping and a larger spacious run for exercise, there are shelves at various heights available, including a ramp for access, allowing your cats to choose the very best location for their next snooze.

Dividing panels can be removed to create larger family sharing pens where more than 2 cats can stay together.

The accommodation is modern UPVC and glass in construction creating a consistently hygienic clean environment (as the material is not absorbent).

The bespoke design and construction is provided by Peticular Pens, a specialist company based in Suffolk, who utilise the highest quality lead free UPVC frames, quadruple glazed windows and a digital thermostatically regulated temperature control system. These features combine to ensure your cats are comfortable all year round.

We play a radio in the corridor area during the daytime to ensure there is gentle music and conversation heard throughout the day making the atmosphere feel similar to your cat’s own home.

Our light and bright environment allows our cats to be nosey and enjoy watching everyone around them, whilst the birds & wildlife in the garden just outside provide additional enrichment.

Storm sash windows within the corridor area allow excellent control of ventilation, with maximum movement of air during the summer months whilst also being able to shut the wind and rain out during poor weather.

The digital thermostatically regulated temperature control system includes a heating panel & automatic ventilation fan providing comfort and circulation of air at all times ensuring your cat always has a sanctuary to retreat to.

The individual rear viewing windows have shelves to allow our visitors to enjoy the comfort of being up high whilst watching the birds, bees and butterflies from their bedroom.

LED lighting throughout and extensive insulation reduces energy consumption.

We use Beco litter trays made from mostly natural waste plant fibre material – a 100% biodegradable plastic replacement. Purrfect... helping protect the environment.

What to bring

Up to date Vaccination certificate
Last flea & worm treatment details including dates
Details of your veterinary, and any medication necessary
Specialist or veterinary diet food & treats
Favourite bed, blankets, pillow (or perhaps a jumper that smells familiar)
Favourite toys
Scratch post, scratch pad
Favourite brush or comb
Emergency contact details

We encourage owners to bring along any favourite toys & bedding.

Familiar smells, sights and sounds will help your cat feel at home.

Vaccination Policy

Each of your cat(s) vaccinations against the following must be up to date:

Feline Parvovirus & Panleukopenia (FPV or P) (Feline Infectious Enteritis),
Feline Herpes Virus & Calicivirus (FCV or C) (Cat-flu) (Feline Respiratory Disease).

We do recommend vaccination against Feline Leukaemia Virus (FeLV), however this is not compulsory.

Your cat's up to date vaccination certificate must be presented prior to boarding and remain here during their stay. Please remember your cat cannot be boarded without it, so ensure your vaccinations are boosted annually. This is in the interest of your cat's health and those who are staying in the cattery at the same time.

Opening hours

Prices

To stay in our luxury double pen, includes heating, usual food (excluding specialist & veterinary diet):

From 1st April 2025

£18.00 per day for 1 cat

£29.50 per day for 2 cats to share

(Minimum stay – 3 days)

Larger family sharing facilities are available, please contact us for details.

Christmas Day, Boxing Day & New Year’s Day will be charged at double the standard rate.

Coronavirus (Covid-19)

Minimising interaction between people is the key to reducing the risk of infection with Coronavirus, therefore we have had to implement some changes to our usual practices in order to protect ourselves, our customers and our visiting residents, for the foreseeable future.

To access latest information please click on the link below:

Coronavirus (Covid-19) Customer Information (PDF)

We thank you for your co-operation at this difficult time and will update our procedures as government guideline permit.

Testimonials

Top marks for the care and attention received by my kitties, who ended up staying rather longer than originally intended.

The environment is excellent: living and sleeping quarters are kept scrupulously clean; fresh water and food always available. In addition, personal care such as grooming, playing with toys, lots of caresses and attention really made the difference to ensure everyone settled well and were clearly kept very contented. I would have no hesitation in recommending Wisteria as a 5* cat hotel.

Elaine Bailey, July 2019

Two of my cats have just come home from their second holiday with Liz, Graham and their family. It’s obvious that the cats are given lots of love and attention - one of my cats can be a little highly strung, but quickly settles in and loves the brushing and fuss she receives.

Importantly they settle back home quickly too - I thinks that’s such a good sign of them having been cared for so well. Thanks for having them - and the friendly welcome we always receive!

Katherine Reid, August 2019

Our little fella Buddy has just had a wonderful week with the lovely Liz at Wisteria Boarding Cattery. Liz is so welcoming and friendly and clearly cares a whole lot for the kitties she has to stay.

The cattery itself is very fancy - brand new and immaculately clean. We loved receiving photos of him whilst we were away too, so reassuring.

Highly recommend! See you again soon!

Kate Evans, August 2019

My two Burmese cats Billy-Whizz and Gracie spent a wonderful week in the capable hands of Liz. They are not the easiest of cats, but what I love about Liz is she takes time from her busy schedule to understand each cats needs.

I have used several local catteries over 30 years and Wisteria Cattery far exceeds them all. The pens are spotless, no smell of pee, plenty of toys available (if you don't take your own), draught free, warm. Liz will also send pictures/video of how they are and most of all the cats come home happy.

What I also like, is Liz's whole family gets involved with giving the cats that little bit of added attention. I don't get upset leaving Billy-Whizz and Gracie there as I know they are going to be happy and well cared for. Thank you Liz and your family.

Nicola Deex, July 2023

My two cats Maud & Lulu have just returned from their second short stay with Liz.

The cattery is beautiful, so clean & fresh & lots of room for moving around.

The care Liz shows to all the cats is lovely to see. I can honestly say Maud & Lulu settled in straight away. When they both returned home no grumpy cats making me feel guilty!

I highly recommend this cattery & will use it again & again knowing they are in a safe & loving cat hotel.

Jennifer, October 2021

What can I say about Wisteria Cattery without going on too much.

This is one of the best catteries I have ever used in 30 years of owning cats. I knew I had hit on a winner when Liz was so very understanding when I had to cancel Billy-Whizz and Gracie boarding there, not just the once but I believe 3 times. This is the first time I have never cried upon leaving my furry friends.

I was greeted by Liz and Graham with such friendliness, then walking to the cattery I was in awe at the site of the cattery itself. So light, spacious and very, very clean, not a hint of cat 'p'. Attention to detail is above and beyond. Although my 2 are siblings Billy-Whizz is very dominant, I was pleased to say Liz assesed them, gave them a room each and both settled very quickly. On collection neither were particularly fussed at seeing me and once home settled in as though they had never been away, I'm quite certain this is down to Liz. Both of them are booked in for next year. Thank you Liz and your family.

Nicola Deex, November 2022

We were lucky enough to be the first guest of this beautiful fur baby holiday home.

If Tia could talk she would tell you she enjoyed her holiday. She adored watching the sheep and her holiday mummy was absolutely brilliant with lots of loving words, plenty of cuddles and yummy food.

We have rebooked Tia in for 3 weeks time and I will not worry at all as I know she will be happy. Totally recommend this beautiful holiday home. X