Full kennels and catteries turn away desperate pet owners

There's no room at the inn for Rotorua pets this Christmas.

Kennels and catteries around the district are fully booked until at least early January.

The season surge in bookings has left some pet owners desperately seeking alternative arrangements before heading off on holiday.

Phones at local kennels and catteries have been running hot with people making last-minute arrangements for summer holidays.

However, the best most facilities can do is put them on waiting lists they're unlikely to clear.

Sonia Hickey at Lynmore Cattery has been booked up since Labour Weekend and will remain full until the middle of January.

"We are busy until the kids go back to school," she said.

Ms Hickey has two catteries - one which can take 60 cats and the other 30 with a separate facility for kittens. That's at least 90 cats to feed every day.

"We can go through 15 tins of jellymeat a day, we also feed them biscuits."

Ms Hickey has a waiting list which she doesn't expect to clear and she's had catteries from out of town calling to see if she has any vacancies. "It's hectic."

To help out people who are stuck, Ms Hickey provides in-house feeding in the Lynmore area. "I hate to say no to people."


Lynmore Cattery has regulars who book as early as New Year for Christmas. Many book when they check their pets out and Ms Hickey recommends people book their pets in as soon as they know their holiday plans.

At Cameronian Pet Lodge in Ngakuru, Marie Cockburn also recommends people book a year in advance.

Like Ms Hickey, she has a waiting list she won't be able to clear.


Chris Johns from Close to Home Cattery sends reminders to her regular customers to book their pets in early.

"People really need to start thinking about Christmas early on in the year."

* Can't find a cattery or kennel to take your pet over Christmas? Precious Paws is an in-home pet care service run by Nicola Martin who works for the Rotorua SPCA and she still has some vacancies.