Running a Cattery Business through the Pandemic: Purr-severance pays off

Operating our Luxury Cattery Business through the Pandemic

When COVID hit Hillview Cattery in early 2020, we don’t think anyone could have prepared us for what was ahead. In our case, we were on track for our best year ever when lockdowns started. We lost nearly all of our forward bookings as we are inextricably linked to the travel, tourism, and the holiday industry. Many of those businesses were provided with industry-specific support, but unfortunately, our industry was not. Coming out of the last lockdown in late 2021, we really didn’t know if we would even have a business. (We already knew of a number of similar businesses that didn’t make it through COVID.)

Increasing occupancy rates

We were delighted when our occupancy rates started to improve as people started travelling again. Throughout 2022 and 2023 our cattery business thrived. In fact, our cat boarding bookings basically doubled in the last financial year just gone.

Loyal customer base

This would not have been possible without the support of our wonderful, loyal customers who chose to stick with us, and the many new customers who have joined the Hillview Family in the past 18 months. We remain very grateful for your support, which is enabling us to provide five local people with jobs, which in turn supports the local economy and other local small businesses.

Supporting our community

We have also maintained our local community support with sponsorship of our local Football club, Netball Club, Bowls Club, and various other community activities, including gold sponsor of the upcoming Birregurra Arts Show. We’re also both proud volunteers of Colac Area Health.

Hillview has always been more than just a business to us. Being part of and supporting the local community is just as important as the community’s support of us. 

Experience a 5-star luxury cat boarding suite at Hillview

Give the purr-fect vacation for your feline friends. Book one of our fabulous suites at our luxury cat hotel and experience the Hillview difference. We treat every furry guest as our own, lavishing love and attention on them and ensuring their health and happiness during their stay. Send us a message to book your stay or call (03) 5236 2115.