About

A FIVE STAR FELINE EXPERIENCE

Owned and managed by the Spate family, our feline retreat, named after a very much loved family cat, is located in Chalfont St Giles, Bucks (30 mins from London, 20 mins from Heathrow airport). Nestled adjacent to our house between our own private woodland, fields and formal gardens, our feline retreat provides a quiet, secluded yet stimulating setting where your cat can feel safe and secure with attentive humans on hand. Our aim is to ensure your cat is able to feel as at home as possible and to keep them feeling loved and cared for in your absence, allowing you to relax and enjoy your time away knowing they are under a constant watchful eye that they may not have if left at home.

Lily’s Luxury Retreat has been rated as a Five Star, Higher Standard establishment by Chiltern District Council under the new DEFRA guidelines. We are fully insured and undergo regular vet inspections. There is a full length safety corridor with five lever locked doors for added security. All pens are alarmed and soft lighting is provided at night.

Our pens are bespoke built by Peticular Pens who have made them larger than most and they are even more protected from excessively hot weather and colder inclement weather by being housed inside sturdy yet elegant Scotts of Thrapston buildings. They far exceed the standards laid out by the Chartered Institute of Environmental Health and have a thermostatically temperature controlled heating system to keep your cat truly comfortable. With only two pens within each building any chance of cross contamination is kept to an absolute minimum compared to other catteries’ pens and the modern impervious construction ensures a standard of hygiene second to none. We play ambient music at times through the day and provide stimulating play and grooming sessions as part of our overall experience if they enjoy this and will allow.

All our family members are keen animal lovers and are involved in the running of Lily’s Retreat be it accounting, photography, dealing with clients or playing with and entertaining our feline friends.

LOUISE SPATE

Head of house

I have spent my entire career looking after horses, dogs, cats and small animals. Formerly a professional dressage competition rider, I finally retired after a successful career spanning many years.
(See website Louise Spate dressage)

It was not easy at first to fill this void but smaller animals quickly claimed their place with me and, recognising a need for experienced, high quality care in a superb location in our area, we found a wonderful and rewarding way to utilise our facilities which provide a truly unique venue. Dressage requires a perfectionist attitude in many spheres and this follows through in the keeping of all animals in our care including good housekeeping and husbandry where every attention to detail is taken.

STIMULATING DECORATED SUITES

We only provide large pens which are decorated to enhance the feeling of space, warmth and stimulation which can help to aid relaxation. Cats very often like to snuggle away in quiet, darker places where they can feel safe and secure. We provide bedding that cats can curl up into, and of course you may bring your own bedding if preferred. Each pen houses a large activity climbing apparatus and we have a selection of stimulating toys for your cat to enjoy. Cardboard boxes are available on request! Each pen has a view over open land or woodland to the rear and a contained, peaceful courtyard to the front. Each pen has good ventilation but is protected from in-blowing rain and wind which other pens may suffer from giving your cat more chance of activities in the run area provided. In extremely cold weather conditions our pens are very well insulated and protected whilst also remaining cool in summer.

We understand!

Our family have been long term cat owners, and we understand that it can be initially unsettling for your cat to adjust to its new surroundings as well as being a worry for the owner to leave them somewhere unknown for the first time. We provide play sessions and encourage your cat to partake in grooming using soft, real hair bristle brushes if they will allow and work to get to know your cat’s individual characteristics as all cats are unique and require looking after in different ways.

THE TEAM

Louise Spate

Louise Spate

Head of house

David Spate

David Spate

Commercial Manager

Tania Crossley

Tania Crossley

Main team member

Jan Francis

Jan Francis

Helps with grooming and play

Keith Francis

Keith Francis

Helps with grooming and play

TESTIMONIALS

Don’t take our word for it, see what our amazing customers have to say: