News

Christmas 2025 Preperations

With Christmas fast approaching, the cattery is buzzing with festive excitement as we prepare for one of our favourite times of the year. This season, we’re expecting plenty of furry guests, and we’re making sure each one enjoys a magical Christmas morning.

One of my favourite parts of the preparations has been creating handmade crochet stockings—one for every cat staying with us over the holidays. Each stocking is crafted with care, using soft yarn, bright colours, and a sprinkle of Christmas sparkle.

These stockings will be filled with a selection of toys, treats, and little surprises to ensure our guests have a joyful and enriching experience. On Christmas morning, we’ll gather together to open the stockings with the cats, sharing in the excitement as they discover new toys to chase and delicious treats to enjoy.

The cattery already feels wonderfully festive, and seeing the growing collection of stockings ready to be hung has brought a real sense of Christmas spirit to the place. We can’t wait to celebrate with our four-legged friends and make their holiday stay as special as possible.

Stay tuned for updates—and plenty of adorable Christmas morning photos!

29/11/25 Ashdown Radio Christmas Fair

In my spare time, I love getting creative with crochet, knitting, and sewing. The handmade crochet cat toys I make are always a favourite with the cats here at the cattery, so I was thrilled to showcase them—along with festive Christmas tree decorations and other handcrafted pieces—at the Ashdown Radio Christmas Fair.

The event was absolutely wonderful. Christmas music filled the air, visitors arrived full of festive cheer, and the atmosphere was nothing short of magical. I had a fantastic day, made even better with help from my friend Shakira Flint, an outstanding insurance broker, and Debbie Hammond, who is truly so much more than a travel agent.

I sold plenty of items, met lots of fellow cat enthusiasts, and enjoyed countless lovely conversations. It was a truly memorable day.

06/08/25 Farewell to Our First Furry Guests!

We’ve reached a special milestone here at the cattery – the end of the very first stay for our initial boarders! It’s been such a joy getting to know each of these lovely cats, all with their own unique personalities.

Buster was a real social butterfly – always ready for a chat and never one to turn down a good leg rub. His friendly nature brought a smile to our faces every day.

Jasper, who needed a bit of extra care with daily medication, quickly became a favourite with his gentle cuddles and love for being fussed over. He reminded us how rewarding it is to provide personalised care.

Molly was all about the hugs. She adored being held and rewarded us with endless purrs and affectionate cheek rubs – a true cuddlebug.

And then there was Polly – our shy explorer. While she wasn’t the most social during the day, she loved the comfort of her hidey box and became a curious little adventurer after dark, keeping us on our toes!

Saying goodbye is always the hardest part, but we feel so lucky to have had these beautiful cats stay with us. Each one left paw prints on our hearts, and we hope to welcome them back again in the future.

26/07/25 Pre-Opening Garden Party

On Saturday, 26th July 2025, Poppie’s Cattery opened its doors to family, friends, and future clients for a special pre-opening garden party to celebrate the upcoming launch of the new feline retreat. The event was a heartfelt celebration of years of planning, dedication, and love for animals—especially cats.

Guests were invited to tour the purpose-built facilities, enjoy delicious food and drinks, and meet the owner, Melanie, whose lifelong dream of opening a cattery is now coming to life. The afternoon was filled with family-friendly fun, including a lively bouncy castle and a nostalgic candy bar that proved popular with guests of all ages.

In the spirit of giving back, Melanie organized a charity prize draw and accepted donations on the day, raising £152 for two local animal welfare organisations — City Cat Shelter,Brighton and The Kit Wilson Trust. Thanks to the generosity of attendees, and the kind support of local businesses who donated a wonderful selection of prizes, £152 was raised on the day. Melanie has pledged to match the amount personally, bringing the total donation to £304.

“It was such a joy to celebrate this special moment with everyone who’s supported me on this journey,” said Melanie. “It was equally important to use the occasion to support two charities that do such vital work for cats and animals in need. I’m so grateful for the generosity of our guests.”

The garden party was a resounding success, perfectly capturing the warm, community-focused spirit behind Poppie’s Cattery. With the official opening just around the corner, Melanie looks forward to welcoming her first feline guests and their owners into a space designed with care, comfort, and compassion at its core.