Specialcats of Ayr

Took my kitty for a bath after she'd found her way under the floorboards and gotten quite a bit of dirt in her fur. Specialcats was able to see her within an hour of me calling and the service was exceptional. Such a lovely place, an amazing and well taken care of space. My cat had a lovely bath and was able to relax, dry off comfortably nd have a snack afterwards. It was a stressful day for me but Rosie was the calm after the storm and made us feel completely at home. She knows what's best for these kitties and you can tell she is passionate about what she does. Specialcats is a brilliant business run by a brilliant woman and I wouldn't go anywhere else now that I've experienced this level of care.

This looked like a very good cattery based on the Feline Advisory Bureau and comments on that website from other customers. However there were a number of things that made our cat's trip there an unpleasant experience. We had already tried Holmbyre in Dalry and had really liked it but wanted to try Specialcats too. So our cat had already stayed at a cattery before and had been okay. We booked over the phone with plenty of notice. Closer to the time (less than a week before) I phoned to arrange dropping our cat off out of normal opening hours. I'm glad I did as there was no record of our booking even though we'd paid a deposit. Fortunately there was still room. So for a second time I went over the cats details (name, nature, food etc) over the phone. At this point the owner seemed friendly and made a point of offering lots of cat advice over the phone, which at the time I thought was nice but a little too much as it was unasked for and I felt slightly lectured but didn't think too much on it. When I took our cat up there she was not happy after the car journey and was confused (natural). I was met at the gate by the two dogs, who are lovely, but whose close proximity and loud barking upset our cat even more. When I met the owner and took our cat too her pen she was naturally nervous. I then had to go over her details for a third time. The owner then basically took over, not letting me settle her into the pen. I explained that she doesn't like being picked up or stroked until she's comfortable with someone (and even then still dislikes being picked up). I've never before seen my cat so scared or growl before (or since) with ears flat back. The owner would not leave her be (trying to calm her but having the opposite effect). I again tried to explain she doesn't like people getting too close and in her face. Deaf ears...I had no choice but to leave her - I felt like she was being overcrowded in the pen and the owner had blocked me off from her, so I left feeling uneasy.When we picked her up two days later the owner inferred that we were doing something wrong by waking her up to take her home (as it was cats 'sleeping time' in the afternoon and we'd disturb her). We felt that she'd rather be wakened and back with us rather than in a pen on her own. The owner was patronizing and condescending and basically infers that she knows a lot more about cats and your cat than you. She even suggested that she was timid and afraid of pigeons that she'd seen outside her pen - she loves to watch pigeons at home and as cats go she's rather bold and seems to adapt easy to situations and new people. Which is why I felt so uneasy leaving her there.On top of this we we charged for 3 days even though it was Friday to Sunday. The other cattery charges less money per night and charges by the night. So we felt a little robbed. All round bad experience. Will definitely be going to back to Holmbyre.

Rosie has bought a number of electric infrared heaters from us for the cattery business over the space of a few years. She is clearly passionate about the animals welfare and comfort, as well as health and hygiene in the cattery from the pens to the kitchen and food prep area. Even the heating has been carefully researched and chosen correctly!

I took my two cats for grooming. I was expecting a specific set up place for it. She took me to one of the shelters. It was filthy. One chair where she sat down and one table with the tools. I was not happy but my cat was calm in that moment. She started cutting her nails, they started to split instead a clear cut. Then she used a wool to clean her ears, the wool fell on the dirty floor and she used the same one to clean the butt. I said, please, use a new clean one. She put a cleaning liquid inside the ears very smelly I never came across. At this point I was very anxious, she took a comb from a filthy box without cleaning and clearly had been used before without disinfecting after. At this point I couldn't handle and took my cat to her carrier and said those were not the proper conditions and left.

After a bad cattery experience last year, we decided to try Specialcats this year. The two experiences were like night and day. Rosie appears to be very passionate at what she does. Our cat was clearly very comfortable with Rosie, and, unlike last years experience, has been so content since returning home. I would definitely recommend Specialcats, and will certainly be using this cattery again in the future.

Specialcats is a wonderful cattery. Rosie and the other staff make a real effort to get to know the cats and make sure they are relaxed and comfortable. My two cats stay regularly and are always welcomed like part of the family, with their preferences and personalities well catered for and understood. The cattery cabins are situated within an eco garden teeming with wildlife, and the whole set up is testament to Specialcats's commitment to maintaining a caring, nurturing environment that exists in harmony with the surrounding flora and fauna. My cats are indoor cats usually - they love watching the bees, ducks and chickens while on their 'holidays', and always come home sleek and relaxed.In terms of fees and administration I have always found Specialcats to be absolutely courteous, approachable and flexible. In 23 years of using catteries it is my experience that charging by the day (and not per night) is absolutely standard. Booking is always straightforward, and Rosie is perfectly happy to have the cats dropped off or picked up outwith the standard times if you give her prior notice so that she can make sure someone will be there to speak to you and let you know how the cats have been etc. All in all, Specialcats is the best cattery I've come across and I can't recommend it highly enough.

We have been using Specialcats for years, and as we tend to adopt oldies we've had quite a few cats that have come in to our lives and that we have sadly lost, but all have stayed at Specialcats at some time in their lives.Every special need is catered for, whether it be diet or mobility related, and shy or stressed cats are welcomed in to a calm and understanding environment.They always come home looking tip-top and groomed.The main thing for us is that we know that our pets will be cared for as if they were at home (if not better!). Highly recommended.

My cat has boarded at Specialcats a number of times over the last few years, and I have found them to be an excellent cattery. The owners have a great deal of experience with cats and this is apparent in the way that they interact with the boarders and in the way the cattery is organised and designed. There are many different things for the cats to look at in the beautiful wildlife garden. My cat can be quite nervous at times especially in unfamiliar situations, however she settles in well and is relaxed and happy when I return to collect her. Right from the first day my cat boarded at the cattery all the staff understood her and her needs very well. I always feel comfortable about leaving my cat at Specialcats when I go away, as I feel she is looked after in the best possible way.

Rosie is a wonderful lady to look after your fur babies. The business is of the highest quality, very reliable and great value for the level of care and attention she gives to the cats in her care. I wouldnt use anyone else.