Vicarage Farm Cattery

25/06/2024

Hello All,

Since saying July and August are full I’ve had a few people double checking and have noticed the odd mistake. Please remember that everything is online for you to see, please check it before coming in, including drop off and pick up AM/PM, as in order to fit people in I am relying on people sticking to their correct times. I don’t mind if you want to pick up early, just let me know so i know to expect you, but you will still be charged for the full original dates.

If you want to arrive earlier, I will not accept your cat u less you have a response from me saying this is ok. Sending an email to tell me with no response won’t be accepted as it means I don’t know!

I’m at absolute maximum capacity for most days during these months and will need time to clean pens in between departures and arrivals.

I appreciate some people need to drop off as early as possible but my suggestion (and to help me out!) would be over the holidays if all departures could arrive as soon as they possibly can, so I can turn the pen over, and for all arrivals to try and give me as much time as possible and arrive during the latter part of their slot.

Thank you all and let’s get through my final summer holidays as smoothly as possible!

😺

Link to booking system to check your booking:

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18/06/2024

Good Morning everyone,

I’m effectively full for July and August and currently in the process of turning several away now.

Please be patient with me during this time as I don’t enjoy disappointing anybody.

Unfortunately it is first come first serve and peak seasons need to be booked way in advance to ensure a pen!

I have ‘spare pens’ if you will, on the online booking system that I use for myself only to enable to me to move cats around when on the calendar. If you find your booking is being put through without automatic refusal, this is because you are being allocated to one of these pens, which infact do not exist. so I will manually respond with a no can do response when it comes through.

Thank you

Alice

26/05/2024

Just posting this on behalf of a gent who has messaged me regarding needing a new home for his kitty! He originally asked for him to come here on holiday but he isn’t fully vaccinated, hence which led us to this conversation.

If anyone is looking for a furry friend to joking their family, here is a picture and a little info, more available on request!

His name is Sid, he’s about 8 years old (we got him and his brother, Alan, from a rescue/refuge) and in good health (he’s not fully up with his vaccinations, so they are being restarted tomorrow and will need a booster in 3 weeks, but happy to help with that). He’s always been a house cat. He’s very shy and timid. I don’t think he’s aware of what a dog is, having never been out or in contact with one … I’m guessing he’d probably be a bit nervous around one (but might surprise everyone and get on like a house on fire!).

He only eats dry food, is house-trained. Not aware of any hobbies.

17/05/2024

For anyone dropping off today (all down for PM)

If you turn up this morning and I’m not there (as I’m going in early to finish early), please be patient and bare with me as last night my grandad was rushed into hospital and is in a poor condition after battling with many health issues over the last year. My mum was with him til 3 am this morning and I very much want to be by his side as soon as possible. I will leave a note on the office door aswell.

As this was a bit unexpected please just understand that it wasn’t enough time to get cover. But I am not expecting any customers this morning, as stated in previous posts please be aware of the am/pm time slot you chose. I will be back as normal 4:30-6 later today.

Thank you x

30/04/2024

Reminder to please check your booking online to see that your AM/PM slots are correct!!!!!

What you see - I see, so please understand that if I was not expecting you, then I’m only going by what was booked. I do encourage customers to book them selves to help stop mistakes happening as i appreciate if I make the booking I can make an error, as normally I’m taking many other bookings the same day or busy feeding/cleaning if it’s during opening hours, but it’s not fair for me if you turn up without having properly checked you booking.

I do not feed cats before you collect them, as I don’t want them to leave and then have to sit in a carrier in the car with a full belly, so me being strict with slots is not me being awkward it’s for the well being of the cats.

Sometimes if I finish feeding early and I have errands to run I will leave during opening hours if I am not aware of any arrivals or departures. I do not accept drop ins for viewings and unless I’ve been given at least 1/2 days notice, I do not accept early pick up or drop offs without prior knowledge. The cat’s safety is paramount for me and I like to know who to expect and is on site. I do not allow anyone to enter the barns without permission, even if I’m in there as I cannot guarantee that the cat I am currently attending to will be in its pen.

Absolutely everything you need to see and I need to see regarding bookings and cat medical/dietary information is on this booking system which Is very easy to use. Just put your email in, make a password and you’re away!

Please please do follow this link and make sure your bookings are correct. If not you can request to alter them, which is of absolutely no bother at all.

Click on the logo below:

https://eu.revelationpets.com/publicCustomer/vl5lgnjdr2/profile

Thank you

Alice

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14/04/2024

Local cat missing!

Saw this on the Brinklow page and thought I would help by giving it a share. keep an eye out for this little orange baby 💙

05/04/2024

Cancellations

Please can all customers give me at least one weeks notice if you need to cancel, as this gives me considerable more time to plan and budget for food, litter and how much help I may need for the amount of cats I have in. Please understand that this is my business and my income and it can be quite a hit to me to be expecting a cat and to find out the day before they’re not coming in! Of course, things happen, that’s not a problem, but remember that by agreeing to keep your cat here you are agreeing to my terms and conditions of payment forfeit, if im not given more than one weeks notice! Terms and conditions are on the website! I’ve had several people cancel over Easter and nearly all have assumed that they only lose their deposit if they give me less than a week. I can understand why this is assumed, but the deposits I purely take to ensure the booking is 100% neededat the time, as when I took over from Michelle I was finding far too many people weren’t bothering to turn up as it was of no consequence to them, and I was always the only one to lose out and mistakes were being made too often. This is not the case, please read the terms as I really hate the dreaded email back asking for more money when you’ve already had to cancel your holiday. Catteries have to have these terms in place, just like hotels and flights would, should you cancel them last minute aswell!

Regular customers i know this doesn’t need to be stressed to, so please don’t think this is aimed at every person. I’m hoping this post reaches the newer folk coming across us more than anything!

Please also make sure deposits are paid, as this is another problem im finding, where bookings are made, no deposit, and leaving me with no communication as to whether you still need the booking. More often than not i find the cat still shows up. I would have every right to refuse your cat if deposit isn’t paid - but I hate the thought of having to do that so please respect my deposit system so I know who I am to expect.😺

Note also that the summer holidays I cannot have cats turning up that I’m not expecting due to unpaid deposits, as I can 100% say I will not have space and the bookings will be deleted if I’ve emailed you with a reminder and receive no response.

Sorry for the negative post, but I hope the message can be taken from this post! 😺

See below a screenshot of cancellation policy:

Thank you

Alice

01/04/2024

* important announcement*

We can now formally tell you what is happening with Vicarage Farm Cattery, below I have a note from who will be the new proprietors of the cattery!! I am personally very happy to have them take on VFC and cannot wait to see where they take the business going forward! I’m hoping we’ve given as much for changeover as we can, and as we’ve all agreed we will all be happy to speak to anyone in person about the changeover (more details to come). I am of course sad to leave, but I feel like I’m ready for a new chapter! The cattery has been and always will be a massive part of my life, being my first time running a business. I was very thankful to have Leanne Goodman at the helm for the first 3 years and was sad to see her leave, but for anyone wondering is absolutely smashing her new career! I only wish it could’ve started better than it did, as we all know only I could take on a cattery on the brink of a mass pandemic!! Regardless, I made it through and I’m leaving with my head held high, in admiration for my own strength to keep going after so much loss of business through what I can only describe as the most financially difficult time of my life!

I shall stop waffling now and allow you to find out who will be replacing me. I know you will all love them as much as I do!

Alice x 💙💙💙

Hello,

We hope you are all keeping well and your fur friends are keeping you busy! 🐾

We would like to introduce ourselves to the Vicarage Farm family and give you an update on some exciting news and hopefully settle any nerves.

From October 2024, we will be the new owners of Vicarage Farm, serving all your fur friends. We will slowly become more present throughout the year and will be hosting multiple meet and greet days! Please come say hello!! 👋

Our aim is to continue the amazing service Alice provides and provide a seamless transition, offering you all endless support during this exciting time!

We have a new website being built, some exciting renovation work planned, and plenty more to make your fur friends' stay as comfortable as possible… keep your eyes peeled for kitty cam!! 🐱📹

Our Family

Meet North (Maine C**n), North is 5 years old and is a pedigree Maine C**n who loves attention and fuss! No lap is safe!

Noah (Persian), Noah is 7 years old and definitely has a big personality for a little cat. He is the boss of the house.

Bracken - Dachshund, Bracken is 2 years old and is best friends with North.

Lastly, Our names are Gemma Ryan and Luenna.

We enjoy every aspect of animal care. We have supported multiple animal events over the years and From a young age, we have been brought up around animals (mainly cats) and have a huge passion for caring for animals.
We have 4 cats in total 2 live with us and the other 2 live with family. We use Vicarage Farm ourselves for cat boarding and when the opportunity was presented, we simply couldn’t turn down the chance of having unlimited cat cuddles and helping the Vicarage Farm family and continue to support you all!

We look forward to meeting you all! The kettle will always be on and maybe biscuits ready. 🍪☕️

27/02/2024

Good Morning everyone!! 😺😺

Summer bookings are firing in so that’s great! The new booking system has been a great asset to my admin life i tell you!

Sorry to sound like a broken record but I’m aware that new traffic will come across these posts at different times!

I am a one man band with admin so I do struggle to keep up with it at times so please be patient with me - this is why I have the new system as it takes me seconds to sort rather than typing lengthy emails. Sometimes your emails can be missed/ or they don’t come through/ go to junk and get lost so if I don’t reply within two days just send it again for me! Or visit this fancy new system and give it a go for me 😺

Just follow the link below and if you’ve been to VFC before it will recognise you (unless you’re using a new email). Make a password if you haven’t already then you’re away! If you’ve not been with us before then you can create an account through this link also. You can’t select what particular barn/pen you want so if you have a preference you can send a cheeky note with the booking for me to see.

Please keep all future booking enquiries coming in as normal, the transition will be nice and smooth and I want to make sure the new owners have as normal a business as they can get. Updates will be given as and when I am able to! 2025 bookings i will make a note of to pass on, but I will not be taking any payments for these as they will be dealt with by the new owners 😺😺

Reminder as well to make sure your furry friends are up to date with flea and worm treatments, and if they are on any medications to please check with you vet that they are fit to board before coming in! I keep the cattery clean and the responsibility comes down to you guys to be responsible for your cats by keeping on top of their treatments. Please don’t be offended if I ask to check records as i am within my rights to turn cats unfit to board away.

Anyway sorry for the waffle, have a lovely week everyone, updates will be given regarding later this year 😺😺

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10/02/2024

Hmmm 🤔 in this case the cat is most definitely *not* out of the bag….

It wasn’t even his bag! 🙈 Stormzy is a very cheeky regular who we always enjoy having with us! Love it when they’re little quirks come out at the cattery!

24/01/2024

Good Morning All!

Apologies I’ve been a bit quiet recently! Although ive been keeping the cattery open all year round - it is nice to step back thid time of year!

I do have my emails sent to my phone but I don’t think they all make it through for whatever reason - or a lot end up in junk!

Please don’t think you’re pestering me - if I don’t respond within two days then assume I have missed your message! I am focusing a bit more on emails now after a slower couple of weeks, and taking bookings for this year!

I can confirm I am leaving end of Oct 2024, and there WILL be a new manager taking over, so rest, assured, vicarage farm will still be here to meet your needs!
As before, when I was introduced after Michelle left, I will make sure I introduce the new manager to you all, and work alongside them to ensure a smooth transition.

I hope to go on to continue working with animals, but let’s see where the future takes me! During my free time between sorting the kitties, I am volunteering for the guide dogs for the Blind Association as I’ve always admired their work and values! If there’s anything you want to know regarding the national breeding centre and being a puppy holder/foster let them send me a message!

Get your bookings in via this link, this is the quickest way to make a booking as I get a notification straight to my mobile, and can answer them on the go, and all payments can be processed through this booking system, securely and efficiently:

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29/11/2023

Good Morning Everyone!

The 27th December (as always due to being closed xmas day and boxing day) is a very busy day for swapping over. I have got a few arrivals that will have to wait for departures before they can go into their pens both morning and afternoon.

Please be patient with me on this day, you are welcome to either leave your cat with us in the holding pen (which will be disinfected between each cat), or If you aren't pushed for time you're welcome to wait in your cars as there is plenty of parking spaces.

My advice to make things as smooth as possible would be for departures to arrive as early as possible after 8:30am, and for arrivals to try and wait until closer to 10:30 am.

This won't be ideal for everyone, hence why I do have two holding pens available!

Thank you

Alice xx

26/11/2023

The cattery is now full for Christmas 🎄

I’m happy to take down dates to put on a cancellation list as more than likely someone will cancel as plans change all the time at Christmas!

If you find yourself needing to cancel, to avoid any charges please give me a weeks notice - as it’s only fair to give me time to refill the pen! Although I have a cancellation list it’s likely they may have found alternate accommodation within a week before xmas!

Plenty of space for NYE - if you’re having a little party and want your animals to be safe and stress free out of the way - then consider kennels and catteries! Music is played, all pens are individually heated and cats are tended to with love as if they were our own 🥰

We are quite lucky here in that we don’t have any close houses that do firework displays and we don’t hold our own on the farm either due to the horses and cats we have here.

🐈‍⬛ —————I’ve decided this year as my way of saying thank you for everyone’s support, and valued custom over the past years, to do a **SPECIAL ONE-OFF OFFER!!**

If you book 5 or more days between 30th December and the 31st January, you will get 10% off your next booking! This is applicable PER PEN should you require several pens. I will add a note online to your profile to flag up the discount owed for your next booking. Those who have already made bookings shall be given the discount don’t worry! ————— 🐈

The offer is only applicable for bookings up until the 30th September 2024 due to a change in management!

Enjoy your Sunday everyone!

Alice ###

18/11/2023

Good Morning Everybody!

Just to do a post about the pesky national shortage of vaccines!!

I spoke with my own vet yesterday and he confirmed for me what I already assumed as this was said over COVID - that a 3 month period after the due date for boosters is adequate protection for your cats to come to the cattery /be around other cats. So if you’re slightly late I have been told this so please don’t panic - but still try and get your jabs booked asap!

In regards to re-start jabs, cats must have had 2 jabs (3-4 weeks apart) and one week must be allowed after the 2nd jab before your cat can interact with other kitties/be in the cattery.

I know your holidays/reasons for needing the cattery are important but so is my animal boarding license and reputation, so please just know that I’m not trying to be awkward if I have to turn down your cat if not appropriately covered!

Have a lovely day all, next week I’m saying goodby to grandma so please bare with again as it’ll be quite an emotional week for me.

Take care

Alice ### 🐾

07/11/2023

Good morning Everybody I hope all is well 😸

November is a very quiet month for catteries so I try to find extra work between tending to the kitties! If anyone is planning on dropping in please don’t be alarmed if the opening hours say I should be there and I’m not - it’s just that I will be heading to do other work. The kitties are still getting all the attention they deserve - i just don’t have the same amount of pen cleaning and admin to do as normal so I won’t need to be in the office as much 😊 although I welcome drop ins it is best to let me know if you plan to pay me a visit for this reason😸😸

Alice xx

31/10/2023

Happy Halloween 🎃 👻 🐈‍⬛

Have a fun and safe night one and all!

My recently dearly departed grandma was one of those who would say trick and stand there waiting for the poor kids to respond and this brought a smile to my face as she believed everyone should know a trick 😂 (she did give them the sweets in the end!) It’s so important to remember the good times when you’re feeling sad.

On the 22nd November we will be saying our final goodbye to her and so please bare with me around this time of trying to make last minute xmas bookings.

I have a handful of spaces left so please don’t leave it too late!

Lots of love and spookiness!

Alice xx

17/10/2023

Good Afternoon,

Due to a family bereavement I’m just taking a couple of days from emails/ may just be a bit slower. I know I will kick myself for it in a few days but just need to spend some time with my family as this has come as a complete shock and we have a lot to sort as it was my lovely grandmother who died and my grandad is in the hospital with vascular dementia so there is a fair amount of pulling together to do in the family.

The cats keep me smiling on my bad days and are in great care with me still working every day, but I must admit at times like this it’s the emails that will be pushed aside.

I hope everyone can understand, I will miss my washer upper. She loved to colour co-ordinate the food bowls. I would say to her to let everything drip dry but she insisted she would stand there and hand dry each bowl and stack them neatly for me. She was a massive animal lover and so dearly loved coming to visit your kitties when she visited me at work. I’m absolutely heartbroken 💔

Hug your loved ones extra tight tonight, you never know when your last conversation or hug will be 💜

Alice xx

28/09/2023

Good Afternoon!

Just a first reminder email regarding how this look my end for xmas dates! I’m 50% booked up as of today so if you’ve not already got your plans sorted and need possible Kitty care - please bare in mind the barns will soon be filled!

Get your bookings in by following the link attached to this post!

https://eu.revelationpets.com/publicCustomer/vl5lgnjdr2/profile

I’ve got emails redirected to my personal email to make it easier to reply but some do end up in junk or take a while to come through so please leave a voicemail for urgent enquiries and/or use this booking system as i promise you it is SO MUCH QUICKER! 😝

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19/09/2023

🚨 Phone issues

Hello!

Just to make everyone aware that I appear to be having broadband and landline issues since that nasty storm we had the other night! Me bring me I’ve only just noticed as I do emails at home and didn’t realise the phone has been unusually silent!!

Please place bookings on our new online system and i will get back to you with a confirmation and 25% deposit request 😸

https://eu.revelationpets.com/publicCustomer/vl5lgnjdr2/profile

Sorry for any inconvenience caused!!!

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17/08/2023

Good Afternoon!

Hope everyone is enjoying the odd bits of sun we seem to be getting at last!

I have two notifications! One is that there is a slot from 24th - 29th Aug now availible if anyone wants this? I have checked waiting list and none fit these dates. I have had a last min cancellation for this!

Second is that the terms and conditions have now been updated - these updates have increased my notification period from 4 days to one week to let me know if you need to cancel your booking. I am making this effective immediately, and shall be issuing a mass email to let everyone know this. Also, I now require one week notice for date changes to your booking whether that be an increase or decrease, during July/Aug/Sept. - to explain the reasoning for this. pens are precious this time of year and I would appreciate as much time as possible to refill pens as I've found that 4 days just isn't enough and year after year get left with empty waster pens that could have been used :)

Here are the updated t's and c's - http://www.vfarm.co.uk/terms.html

Please do try to check these before each booking and look out for what you need to know before making a booking! :)

All cats are accepted solely at the owner's risk.  Vicarage Farm Cattery accept no responsibility for accidents or illness.

21/07/2023

***AUGUST IS FULL***

Please I must stress again that I have a waiting list as long as my arm and I am spending so much of my admin time saying I can’t take anymore cats for August, I am so sorry but the summer holidays simply must be booked way in advance! Do not book your holiday without my confirmation that I can take your cat because I hate letting you down and saying you now can’t go away because of the cat is really not my fault! 😿

I’m also dealing with a lot of people scrambling for a pen then not showing up because they’ve been doing the same with other catteries and forgetting to let me know if they decide to go elsewhere. 3 pens in the last 2 weeks I’ve cleaned and have gone to waste.

Another thing I must add is that if you wish to shorten your dates on arrival or during the booking (or within 4 days of expected arrival date), you will be charged for the original dates that were booked. I cannot fill up a pen that last minute and refuse to lose business because I wasn’t given appropriate notice. I appreciate things come up and can be out of your control but this is not my fault and this is the risk taken when asking for a pen to be held for your cat(s) for those dates. Holiday companies and hotels go by the same policy so I don’t see why boarding services should be any different! Rudeness won’t be tolerated!

Apologies to the lovely people that never feel the need to argue any of the above mentioned topics, but there’s only so much I will deal with before I have to say something!

Have a fabulous weekend all, and I do look forward to seeing everyone come in for their summer breaks, and wish everyone safe travels!! ✈️ 🚙 🚕🚐🧳🏝️🚞⛴️🗺️🏖️🛳️

06/07/2023

Had to laugh when I saw this as im always doing it 😂😂😂😂😂

27/06/2023

Will be back on emails and replies tomorrow everybody, today we sent our beloved cat Berlioz over the rainbow to join the rest of our resting pets from over the years. Berlioz had stage 4 kidney disease and was no longer interested in eating and today we just knew, it was time to let me go peacefully.

I even cry why you all tell me your pets leave us so I’ve been pretty inconsolable today. Just had to spend a quiet day with my household so apologies for the delay.

Here is the man himself, taken today before he left for his finally journey ❤️🌈🐾

23/06/2023

Hello!

Everyone seems to be adjusting well to the new booking system and my word is it making my admin life easier!

Just going to put reminders now and again that the link is https://eu.revelationpets.com/publicCustomer/vl5lgnjdr2/profile

Verify your email, make a password, then you’ll see your profile. once again if your future bookings aren’t on there yet it’s because I’m taking my sweet time getting them on there so please do not panic as I have them all nice and safe on the old system 😺😺

Please check out your profiles, upload pictures of the cats, go crazy with information that i will see in their individual clipboards when they come in, and just have a good old nose on there really!

Thank you one and all for the repeat business, it fills my heart it really does, as I know many of you have been there with me since day one ❤️😺😺😺

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19/06/2023

Good Afternoon!

Just a polite reminder that August is **Full**

And also to just say that verbal abuse or impatient emails won’t be tolerated if i cannot get back to you within the same day, and/or if im not able to take your cat for your desired days! Most of the emails im receiving currently are all for August and I am so sorry but I already have a waiting list and August needs to be booked months ahead ideally!

I primarily work alone with the odd weekend help and do all admin alone and this is why I am trying to encourage everyone to the new booking system, to help ease my admin workload! Im doing what I can with the time I have 😺

I am forever grateful for the continued and repeat business i recieve from the lovely people I see throughout the year, especially after an incredibly rough start and being closed down due to COVID which I am still dealing with the effects of, hence why right now I mostly work alone. I hope all can clearly see that the cat’s welfare is my priority always, meaning sometimes I do not find time every day to respond, as the more cats I have in, the longer feeding and cleaning can take and that has to be my first job.

Please, if you want summer holiday bookings, book your kitties in before you book your holiday and do this well in advance 😺

Have a lovely day all - off to do emails!

Here is the link to follow once again to make bookings for September onwards, and to update kitty info:

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06/06/2023

Good Afternoon!

Important update regarding booking in the future!

I am moving onto a new database and therefore the booking system will be changing- for the better!

I appreciate this time of year I can be a little slow in replying as since Leanne left the admin has been quite the job for me to keep up with as of course my main priority when at work is the cats I have in my care so some days I struggle to find the time to keep up!

So with this in mind I’ve moved onto ‘Revelation Pets’. You can make your own bookings, upload you cat details (and a piccy if you like!) and you won’t even need to keep remembering your vaccination cards as you can upload these too!

At the minute I’m going through the incredibly gruelling task of putting all of this years current bookings into the new calendar on Revelation Pets, and so I will just ask that for now you *DO NOT BOOK VIA THE NEW SYSTEM* until I update on here and on the website again once the current bookings are all on there so you can see my true availability over the summer. At the min it looks like I have tonnes of space- but i don’t!!

The reason I am posting this now when im not quite ready yet is because it would be helpful for owners to sign into their accounts and update their cats info /contact info etc for me so that we can start getting that all up to date for the summer 😀

Follow this link below to access your profile, you just need to use your emails address that you would usually book with me on, and make a password!

https://eu.revelationpets.com/publicCustomer/vl5lgnjdr2/profile

So once again, please do not yet make a booking on the new system until I update again - just update kitty info for now 😀

For now please keeping emailing [email protected]

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