A boutique hotel for cats has opened in Kampong Glam

There’s a new addition to Kampong Glam’s cluster of boutique hotels – and this time, it’s just for cats. Cradle Cat Hotel, a 20-room cat boarding establishment, opened its doors in November last year, and it’s been quietly gaining a foothold among pet parents in Singapore.

The two-storey boarding facility, which occupies the second level of a shophouse, is the brainchild of friends and business partners Dr Eric Yeoh, an emergency veterinarian at Beecroft Animal Specialist & Emergency Hospital, and Jing Wang, a breeder of ragdoll cats.

“I’m an ‘escaped’ lawyer, and she’s an ‘escaped’ architect,” quips Dr Yeoh, who elaborates that they both left their respective professions years ago to pursue their passion for animals. While Dr Yeoh was inspired to trade his lawyer's robes for a stethoscope following a stint volunteering at animal shelters, Jing was driven to provide Singaporean owners access to better bred ragdolls.

As it turns out, it was also a decision that led them to cross paths. Jing shares that the two met when Dr Yeoh was her veterinarian at the clinic he worked at previously, and they’ve kept in contact ever since. “It’s quite random; I guess the both of us are just quite chatty, and that’s how it all started,” she adds.

It took the duo about a year of conceptualising and designing the space before the hotel was finally launched. Currently, day-to-day operations are managed by Jing, who oversees most aspects of the business, including its logistics. Former vet nurse Teri Lim looks after the needs of their feline guests while Dr Yeoh, together with his cat Tisoy – the hotel’s manager at large – drop by to help out whenever they can.

All in good hands

Dr Yeoh also lends his expertise in establishing a veterinary-formulated approach to cat care. What this means is that Cradle Cat Hotel applies an evidence-based method when it comes to nutrition and veterinary care, and the space is kept as sterile and as spotless as possible – not an easy feat when your feline guests are frequent shedders.

“When a cat checks in, we physically examine our guests thoroughly in a systematic manner. We track their weight on admission, during the stay and before discharge. For example, we examine their fur for ectoparasites, and check their ears and skin for infection. We also check for respiratory issues and enquire about relevant medical history that may be relevant to their care during their stay with us.

"For older cats, we have more detailed health screening and closer monitoring protocols that address the common health conditions that affect geriatric cats. We've also taken great measures to ensure that stays at Cradle Cat Hotel are as stress-free as possible," explains Dr Yeoh.

He adds that all staff working at the hotel are trained according to International Cat Care's AAFP-ISFM* veterinary standards, and that Cradle Cat works closely with veterinarians here, in the event that the cat requires medical attention.

Purr-fectly serviced rooms

There are three types of rooms available for hire: The spacious Cradle Suite, fitted with perches, hideouts, and a snug cat bowl; the Loft Suite on the second floor features similar amenities for cats who prefer to keep a close (bird’s-eye) watch on things; and the Garden Apartments, a cosier option with a view of the outdoor patio.

Owners of escape artists can rest easy – the facility is cat-proofed with a mantrap access control lock system as well as interlocking doors that cannot be opened simultaneously to minimise the risk of escape. All these measures are designed to contain and deter cat-scapists.

"There are six Cradle Suites, five Loft Suites and nine Garden Apartments – apartments can hold up to two small to medium cats each and Suites can hold up to three cats," says Dr Yeoh.

Other perks of the stay? Netflix-and-chill videos of squirrels and birds on a flat screen TV, as well as regular one-on-one playtime with the carers in the play area outside the cats’ enclosures. 

For both Jing and Dr Yeoh, Cradle Cat Hotel functions more than just a business. They hope that in time, it can become a platform to raise awareness about the importance of evidence-based pet care.

“We’ve received appreciative notes from customers, and each one tells a story. For example, we noticed that relocating a client’s cats to a different room reduced their stress levels and made them happier. Another customer's diabetic cat, who is 18-years-old, required additional love and care, which we provided. We pay attention to the little details and educate owners about cat care at the same time. 

“Ultimately, understanding each cat's personality and building a relationship with them (and their humans) is a rewarding part of our work,” says Jing.

*ISFM (International Society of Feline Medicine); AAFP (American Association of Feline Practitioners)

More details can be found on Cradle Cat Hotel's website and Instagram.

Photography Lawrence Teo