Suma Farm Cattery Diary

Suma Farm Cattery Important Dates in 2022

Planned Closures & Revised Opening Hours for Suma Farm Cattery

With extra bank holiday dates in 2022, Suma Farm Cattery will have a number of additional closures and alterations to our opening hours. We are already receiving a high volume of bookings for these period – please see below for a list of these revisions to our standard calendar. These will have an effect on the drop off and pick up times available.

Easter Weekend – 15th to 18th April 2022

Thursday 14th April – Cattery closes at midday

Friday 15th April – Cattery closed

Saturday 16th April – Cattery closes at midday

Sunday 17th April – Cattery closed

Monday 18th April – Cattery closed

Tuesday 19th April – Cattery open as normal

May Bank Holiday

Monday 2nd May – Cattery closed

Jubilee Weekend – 2nd to 5th June 2022

Wednesday 1st June – Cattery closes at midday

Thursday 2nd June – Cattery closed

Friday 3rd June – Cattery closed

Saturday 4th June – Cattery closed

Sunday 5th June – Cattery closed

Monday 6th June – Cattery open as normal

Summer Bank Holiday

Monday 29th August – Cattery closed

Christmas & New Year – 24th December 2022 – 3rd January 2023

Saturday 24th December – Cattery closes at midday

Sunday 25th December – Cattery closed

Monday 26th December – Cattery closed

Tuesday 27th December – Cattery closed

Wednesday 28th December – Cattery closes at midday

Thursday 29th December – Cattery closes at midday

Friday 30th December – Cattery closes at midday

Saturday 31st December – Cattery closes at midday

Sunday 1st January 2023 – Cattery closed

Monday 2nd January 2023 – Cattery closed

Tuesday 3rd January 2023 – Cattery open as normal.

A reminder of our standard opening hours can be found here.

With love,

Suma Farm Cattery

Christmas Kitty - Cattery

Cattery Opening Hours – Christmas & New Year 2021

There Will Be An Adjustment To Our Usual Opening Times At The Cattery During This Time.

Seasons Greetings! Over the 2021 Festive period, our cattery opening times (and therefore our pick-up and drop-off times) will be adjusted.

These will be as follows:

Thursday 23rd December – Cattery Open As Normal (10am – 12:30pm | 2pm – 4:30pm)

Friday 24th December – Open until Midday (10am – 12pm)

Saturday 25th December – Closed for Christmas Day

Sunday 26th December – Closed for Boxing Day

Monday 27th December – Closed

Tuesday 28th December – Closed

Wednesday 29th December – Open Until Midday (10am – 12pm)

Thursday 30th December – Open Until Midday (10am – 12pm)

Friday 31st December – Open Until Midday (10am – 12pm)

Saturday 1st January 2022 – Closed

Sunday 2nd January – Closed

Monday 3rd January – Closed

Tuesday 4th January – Cattery Open As Normal – (10am – 12:30pm | 2pm – 4:30pm)

*New Office Hours from January 2022, please read here.

Please do remember to arrange a drop off/collection time with us during this period – these times will be incredibly busy for us, so your patience and understanding will be incredibly appreciated.

We are very much looking forward to welcoming your kitty over the festive period, and don’t forget, you can always follow us on Instagram for updates during their stay.

With love,

The Suma Farm Team

Two cats in medical protective masks. Protection and treatment of the virus. Pandemic 2020.

Covid Secure Cat Hotel

The Measures We Are Putting In Place For A Covid Secure Cat Hotel

The Covid pandemic forced the Suma Farm Cat Hotel to temporarily close as of March 2020. After a difficult few months for everyone, we’re now looking forward to an eventful summer where life (hopefully) returns to normal. Suma Farm will be re-opening on the 1st July 2020 and here’s what we’re doing to make sure your furry friend will be staying in a covid secure cat hotel.

Previous Bookings

Any deposits paid for bookings during our closure have been credited to future reservations, or held on account as credit. This has been a challenging time for everyone, and we want our customers and their lovely cats to return to us.

Our New Booking Process

We have taken this opportunity to upgrade our booking system. If you have had a booking with us previously, you will already have an account with us. Please click here to log in to your account, where you will be able to request bookings and fill in the required information for your cat’s stay.

We are currently accepting bookings for boarding from 1st July 2020 through to July 2021.

Suma Farm will now be requesting 20% deposit (or £20 if less) for new bookings arriving from the 1st July 2020. This deposit is non-refundable/non-transferable, and is due within five days to hold the room.

The remaining balance of the boarding fee is due 21 days prior to the booking date. This can be paid by phone or bank transfer – We are not accepting payment on site. 

Cancellations within 14 days of the booking commencement are payable and non-refundable.

We will be changing some of our usual opening times to suit the level of bookings and staffing. When you settle the final payment, you will be asked to select a drop off and pick up time. Please stick the these times as we will be expecting you. For collection, your cat will be placed in its carrier shortly before your appointment.

Prior to your cat’s arrival

To keep operations going and to ensure a covid secure cat hotel, we will be operating a contact-free exchange upon arrival. We will require the following information to be submitted to us prior to your cat’s stay:

  • Please email a copy of your cat’s valid vaccination card. This is now required to be kept on file by the licensing board and DEFRA)
  • Up to date information for yourself – contact number, address etc
  • Information about your cat – feeding instructions, frequency, and any health issues

Please email this to info@sumafarmcathotel.co.uk

We will not be able to board your cat without this information on file, and please ensure the vaccinations are up to date in good time for your booking.

You MUST provide us with an emergency contact of someone who would be able to collect your cat on your behalf, should either you or we become ill during your cat’s stay. Should we need to self-isolate for 14 days you would need to arrange for your cat to be collected.

Your Arrival at Suma Farm

To maintain health and safety of our staff and customers, please DO NOT bring/collect your cat if you have had symptoms of Covid-19 in the 14 days prior to drop off or collection, or are self-isolating. Please telephone us if this is the case on 01932 862210.

Unfortunately, we cannot accept any belongings for the cat. This inlcudes:

  • Bedding
  • Toys
  • Scratch Posts
  • Feeding or Water Bowls

If you wish to provide your own cat food, this should be provided in a cleanable plastic container.

Medication – Medication must be clearly labelled in containers and include the cat’s name, dosage, method, frequency, and storage instructions.    

We are now operating a one way system in the car park, with space available for two cars. On arrival please wait in your car until directed to the parking zone. To exit, continue straight through the cattery. This will come out a little further down Ockham Lane.

For drop offs, when our staff member signals to you, please place your cat in its’s carrier on the ground in front of your car and return to your car.   Our staff member will be wearing personal protection equipment (PPE) and will pick up the carrier and feed/medication.

We are no longer permitted to have owners enter the cattery buildings, and so our lovely staff will settle your cat(s) in for his or her stay.

Please do not enter the reception area or any part of the cattery, or touch any doors or handles. Unfortunately we are not able to provide viewings within the cattery. 

Hopefully, with these measures in place we can protect one another whilst providing excellent care for our feline guests. 

We look forward to welcoming everyone back very soon to our friendly, covid secure cat hotel.

Claw Clipping Tips

Claw Clipping and Maintenance

Regular Claw Clipping Will Prevent Discomfort To Your Furry Friend… And You (And Your Furniture!)

Like human nails, our feline friends claws grow continuously. If your cat is an outdoor cat, the likelihood is that claw clipping won’t be needed; outdoor activities such as tree climbing and digging help keep nails at a reasonable length! However, for indoor cats, kittens and the older pet amongst them, claws can easily become overgrown. This can cause your cat huge discomfort, growing into the pads or risk of tearing, which might also lead to infection.

Trimming your cat’s claws for the first time can be a daunting task. You must pay every care to not trim them too short as there are blood vessels located at the base of the claw. As well as this, your cat could become distressed and fidget making the task even more difficult.

Tips for Claw Clipping

  • Pick a time when your cat is relaxed
  • Ensure a peaceful, well lit location (with no time pressure!)
  • Either placing your cat on your lap or on a table, have him/her face away from you. If your cat is a little nervous, you can always wrap them in a towel, like burrito!
  • On the first paw, gently press the top of each toe to extend the claw. Be gentle!
  • The bit you’ll need to trim will be transparent. Examine the claw carefully – you’ll see the blood vessel (quick) in the centre – avoid this!
  • Do not struggle with your cat – if they become stressed, stop and try again at another time
  • Work your way around the claws…. good luck!

An Alternative Option

If you can’t face the trauma of struggling with your cat or a little nervous about doing it, Suma Farm Cat Hotel offers a claw clipping service in their grooming facility. You can either add this on to your booking with us and we’ll do it during your cat’s stay, or you can pop in a we’ll do it for you.

We also offer other cat grooming services that include bathing, face and ear cleaning, brushing, and clipping (lion cuts, matt removal etc.)

Logo Ideas_Logo 4

Five Star Cattery

2018 saw some major changes in ‘The Animal Welfare (Licensing of Activities Involving Animals) (England) Regulations’ which meant our yearly inspection was a lot more intense!

Not only did we have our facilities looked at in greater detail, but all of our supporting documentation was read through with a fine-toothed comb. This meant the Suma Farm Cat Hotel had to meet welfare and environmental legislation in order to operate as a cattery service in Surrey.

Subsequently, a new star rating was introduced for all boarding establishments, and we are very VERY happy to announce that we achieved the full 5 out of 5 rating.

We would like to thank you all for your continuing support of our small business by bringing your loved pets in to board with us 

Medical Notes

Required Inoculations for Cattery Boarding

These Are The Required Inoculations You’ll Need to Board At Suma Farm

The Animal Welfare Act of 2018 states the required inoculations to board your cat in a cattery setting. These are imperative to prevent the spread of infectious diseases amongst animals.

When making a booking at Suma Farm Cat Hotel, you’ll need to provide us with copies of your up-to-date vaccination records.

A cat receiving its first vaccination requires two injections, usually three weeks apart. In accordance with the manufacturer’s instructions, these become viable after two weeks. Unfortunately, we cannot accept your cat for boarding until after this period.

After the initial course, your cat will require a yearly booster, which should be administered at least two weeks before entering the cattery, as this will increase the level of protection.

To ensure that your cat can be boarded at Suma Farm, please ensure your booster jabs are up to date and cover the duration of your cat’s stay. We won’t be held responsible for reminding our clients of vaccination dates. A number of vets will require a re-start of vaccinations if the booster has lapsed a year.

Where large numbers of cats are kept closely together, there is a greater the risk of disease to spread. Therefore, vaccination and protection from disease of cats in a cattery situation is very important.

Required inoculations include:

– (FPV) Feline panleukopenia virus

– (FHV) Feline herpesvirus, and

– (FCV) Feline calicivirus (FCV)

All licensed catteries are required by law to abide by these terms. As a result, Suma Farm will not accept a cat after just the first initial injection of without proof of veterinary vaccination.

Homeopathic vaccination is not acceptable. gr

Unfortunately, no booking charge refunds will be given for invalid or out of date vaccinations.

Suma Farm Grooming

Suma Farm Grooming Facilities

Advice from the Suma Farm Grooming experts

Grooming plays a vital part in the happiness and health of your pet. Not only does it create a great bonding experience between you and your cat, it is also the perfect opportunity to complete health checks on your cat. A busy lifestyle can often mean grooming is not as regular, so let the Suma Farm grooming team help keep your cat’s coat in tip top condition.

It is a myth that your cat does not need help to maintain its coat.

A cat’s coat gets extremely greasy, especially if they are outdoor cats and like to forage through the undergrowth. You’ll also often find traces of saliva, dander, dust and external parasites. Nice!

Knots and mats form in long haired cats (and quite often in short hair too) – these matted areas slowly tighten and can cause sensitivity or soreness underneath. Grooming and handling your cat regularly will, in the long term, avoid vets fees, sedation costs, health issues and overall stress.

Why not utilise the Suma Farm Grooming Facilities during your cat’s next stay?

Our trained grooming staff can groom short haired, semi-long haired and long haired cats in a variety of styles and cuts. We have plenty of techniques to ensure your cat enjoys the experience and doesn’t get stressed.

Not only will your cat look (and smell) great, they’ll also benefit from:

– Improved circulation throughout the skin and coat

– A visual health check – catching any signs of ill health in early stages and improve good health

– The removal of unwanted hair and debris – all coat types

– Prevention of fur balls – which can cause intestinal blockages

– Good bonding time – Your cat will enjoy this contact as cats love human companionship

Wet bathing is the easiest way to keep your cat knot free and 98% of cats enjoy it

Ask about our Suma Farm Grooming when you book in for your next stay with us.