Go elsewhere

Ainley Top / Warren House Cattery, Warren House Lane, Huddersfield HD3 3RS Be Warned! On 26th November, we entrusted the wellbeing of our two 4 month old kittens into the care of Ainley Top / Warren House Cattery (www.warrenhouseboardingcattery.co.uk) for 10 days. When we collected them, we were disgusted with the conditions in which they had been kept. The bedding contained at least 4 separate amounts of faeces. The image of the elderly male employee who handed us the kittens scooping them out with pieces of newspaper and dropping them into the litter tray was, frankly, beyond belief. Both my partner and I were speechless. On our way home, we believed the kittens were contaminated with faeces due to a strong smell of excrement. On taking the kittens out of their cat box at home, we found one lump of faeces in the cat basket. This was crusted and appeared at least several days old. The two plastic catches on the door of the cat box were chewed. Both the faeces and the chewed catches indicated the cat basket had been stored with the cats. We also found excrement on the top of the cat box which indicated at least one cat had had excrement on its feet at some stage. The bed we had provided for the cats, and the toys we had left with them, were all to be soiled with faeces. I have photographs which I will try to upload – should anyone have the urge to view them! My partner also noticed saw dust in the water bowl and food which she is certain was not the Whiskas we had asked for. I do not care to consider what dietary challenges faced the kittens during their stay. On reaching their home, one kitten took several hours before it would approach us and purr. The other kitten would not do this until the end of the day. I believe both animals were traumatised by their treatment. It is obvious to me that the kittens had not been inspected for several days prior to being picked up and may have been forced to sleep in their own faeces for some time. Quite how long this mistreatment had existed I am unable to stay but the state of their toys and the amount of excrement indicates they had been like that for some time and no attempt had been made to clean them. To say we are appalled and disgusted with the condition of our pet’s environment, and their bedding and toys, is an understatement and I consider this treatment to amount to animal neglect and cruelty. I complained to the RSPCA and Kirklees Environmental Services. Sadly, the RSPCA have not acknowledged my complaint. Perhaps it is just another in a long line – who knows! I paid the fees as I did not want to prejudice my principles of fairness and commitment to maintaining my side of an agreement. I was not really surprised to have had no response or refund following my complaint to Ainley Top / Warren House Cattery. I wonder why they use two names? This review as an attempt to prevent other animals suffering a similar fate as our pets. One kitten literally leapt at the wire gate and clung on when it saw us and I now understand why. Their relief at their salvation must have been beyond description. I did suggest in my complaint that all those involved in the care of animals at Ainley Top Cattery receive animal welfare training, and that the condition of animals and their environment is inspected at least once a day. Clean bedding, toys and drinking water should be the norm. Suffice to say, we will never use Ainley Top / Warren House Cattery again. You can but on your head (and the heads, paws, bed and toys of your pets) be it.

David Bates - 12/01/2014 | report this review