More than a love for cats —
What we believe in at Sundays Cat Hotel
When we tell people we run a cat hotel, they often imagine us spending the day playing with cats. There is certainly some of that, but it is only a small part of what it means to take responsibility for a cat’s wellbeing during their stay.
Exceptional cat boarding draws on knowledge, observation, experience and sound judgement. It means understanding feline behaviour, recognising subtle changes in health or mood, creating appropriate environments and delivering a consistently high standard of care from arrival to returning home.
Our philosophy is built on knowledge from multiple disciplines:
Understanding feline behaviour
Our training in the International Cat Care / ISFM’s Advanced Feline Behaviour for Cat Professionals programme is grounded in evidence-based behavioural principles. It has deepened our understanding of feline body language, emotional and psychological wellbeing, and the reasons cats respond as they do to people, other cats and their environment.
Knowing what to look out for
Formal training through a Diploma in Veterinary Clinical Science has strengthened our ability to recognise and document changes in a cat’s condition. It helps us communicate clear observations and practical next steps to cat parents when something seems different. Not every change calls for an immediate veterinary visit, while some warrant prompt attention. We do not diagnose or replace veterinary care; instead, we help cat parents decide whether closer monitoring, a call to their regular vet or an appointment is the most appropriate next step, while providing useful observations for the veterinary team.
A holistic understanding of cats
Our curiosity extends beyond behaviour and health. Training through the North American Veterinary Community’s Pet Nutrition Coach Certification has broadened our understanding of how diet supports wellbeing. Our exploration of the alternative practice of animal communication has deepened our sensitivity to cats as individuals with unique inner lives. We hold this perspective alongside—not in place of—evidence-based knowledge and veterinary guidance. Together, these approaches encourage us to consider each cat’s emotions, relationships, surroundings and ways of experiencing the world.
Learning from every cat
We have been very fortunate to care for and spend time with more than 1,000 cats over the years. Each one has taught us something different. These experiences have sharpened our ability to notice the small changes in behaviour or body language that can signal stress, discomfort or illness, while building a deep appreciation for every cat’s personality, routine and preferences. Above all, they have taught us to pay close attention to what helps each cat feel comfortable, secure and understood.
Creating comfort through space
Our experience in architecture has shaped how we understand the value of space — through the way it is experienced by its occupants. Space shapes behaviour and fosters feelings of comfort, security and enjoyment. A cushion or a box may offer comfort, but it does not make a space comfortable on its own. The design of our cat hotel is informed by an understanding of feline behaviour and first-hand observations of how cats respond to different types of space and what they seek from them in different contexts. This understanding takes shape in spaces purpose-built for the boarding context, where the built elements work together to support cats’ needs: to feel safe, observe their surroundings, play, rest and retreat while away from home.
Care supported by structure
We believe consistent monitoring, reliable records and clear communication are fundamental to good care. Drawing on years of hands-on experience, we developed our own in-house system to record the details that matter, support continuity across our team and keep pet parents informed in a clear and structured way. Because it is built around our needs, we can refine it quickly as our experience and standards continue to evolve.
We do not see these as separate disciplines
Behaviour influences health, health influences behaviour, and the environment shapes both. Every interaction, observation and design decision serves the same aim: creating a place where cats feel safe, understood and genuinely cared for, while allowing us to monitor their wellbeing as closely as possible throughout their stay.
Our approach is never static. Every guest teaches us something new, and every conversation with a cat parent offers another perspective. We regularly reflect on our practices, challenge our assumptions and refine our systems, because exceptional care comes from continual learning—not from believing we already know everything.
