When a beloved local pet-boarding facility in Ashford, Kent, closed, cat parents in the community were left scrambling for a safe, reliable place to board their pets. For longtime cat lover Claire Rada, the closure wasn’t just a loss of convenience — it sparked the idea for her own business.
“I opened nearly a year ago when a cattery I used myself was closed and sold for redevelopment,” Claire explains. “The cattery was built at the bottom of my garden and opened in September 2024."
That was the beginning of Green Ridge Cattery, a safe and comfortable home-away-from-home for cats in the Ashford area.
Clare has 12 pens with a maximum occupancy of 24 cats.
"Already this summer, I have a waiting list," she said. "I run it on my own with occasional help from my father.”
In less than a year, Claire has not only built a growing customer base but also earned rave reviews from pet parents who appreciate her flexibility, personal touch, and modern booking process powered by Revelation Pets.
Like many small business owners, Claire started Green Ridge Cattery because of a gap she saw in the market. The closure of her preferred boarding facility left her — and other cat owners in the area — without a trusted option. By building a purpose-designed cattery on her property, she created something uniquely convenient for both herself and her customers.
“[My favorite thing is] being able to work from home, and the ability to be very flexible with regard to drop off and collection times,” Claire said.
That flexibility quickly became a cornerstone of her service. Unlike larger facilities, Claire can accommodate pet parents with irregular schedules, making the experience less stressful for both cats and humans.
Green Ridge Cattery isn’t just about convenience. Claire takes pride in offering individualized care for every cat, with pens that can house between one and four cats and discounts for multiple cats from the same household.
She understands that boarding a pet can be an anxious experience for their human companions. That’s why she encourages inspection visits by appointment and keeps communication open.
“Give your pet a holiday too!” she likes to say, reassuring customers that their cats will be cared for like family.
Starting a new business is never easy, especially in the pet-care industry, where organization and reliability are essential. For Claire, using Revelation Pets has eased the heavy lifting.
“RevPets software manages every aspect of the cattery and integrates with Xero accounting software,” she said. “I use the Calendar on my phone, and when I receive telephone enquiries, I can give instant answers with regard to availability."
While the pet industry shares commonalities, as business owners know, every facility and their client base is different. Clare said her customers prefer the personal touch of phone calls rather than online booking, so she keeps that option open.
Having instant access to availability through Revelation Pets' digital tools and calendar integrations has made Claire’s customer service seamless. Instead of fumbling through notes or paper records, she can answer questions on the spot.
Her favorite features? “The calendar, check-in and check-out, and the Boarding Pass,” she said. Each one streamlines daily operations, from organizing reservations to managing arrivals and departures.
And when technical issues or questions come up, Claire feels supported by the RevPets team.
“Support was excellent when the Stripe terminal required some settings to be altered on my PC,” she said.
While Claire is still new to running a pet-care business, she credits Revelation Pets with giving her the confidence and tools to look polished and professional from day one.
“RevPets has enabled me — a newbie — to manage the business efficiently,” she shares. “Customers are very impressed and comment on it.”
In an industry where first impressions matter, Claire has been able to establish trust quickly. Clear booking processes, organized records, and smooth check-in/check-out experiences reassure pet parents that their cats are in good hands.
Green Ridge Cattery has only been open a short time, but its rapid success speaks volumes. The business is already operating at full capacity during peak times, and the waiting list shows growing demand.
For Claire, the journey has been both challenging and rewarding. Running the cattery herself, with only occasional help from her father, requires careful planning and dedication. But with the right tools in place, she’s able to balance everything — from managing reservations to caring for the cats.
Claire’s story is just one example of how the right tools and systems make it easier for new business owners to get up and running quickly. From intuitive calendars to seamless check-in processes, Revelation Pets is designed to simplify operations, impress customers, and give owners peace of mind.
Whether you’re just starting out like Claire or looking to streamline your established pet-care business, Revelation Pets can help.
Start your free trial today to see how easy managing a bustling cattery or relaxing doggy spa can be!