A growing number of cat owners in Penang are turning to luxury services to ensure their pets receive the best care while they’re away. Ufi’s Premium Cat Hotel, which opened in July 2022, is leading the way in feline boarding with its high-end facilities.
Founded by Nur Athirah Ahmad Nazri Rizal, also known as Tiera, the hotel was established with an investment of RM200,000 in Kepala Batas. It offers a level of care that stands out from typical boarding services. In addition to Tiera, there are two specialized “cat experts” on-site, CCTV monitoring, and rooms designed with a toilet, play equipment, and a dedicated sleeping area. Prices are affordable, ranging from RM38 for an economy capsule to RM110 for a larger cubicle.
The hotel’s largest enclosure can accommodate up to eight cats, with a total of 60 boarding spaces across four options. Tiera came up with the idea of a premium cat hotel after struggling to find a suitable place for her own cat, Ufi, a seven-year-old grey British Shorthair, who the hotel is named after.
“I used to travel and needed a place for my beloved best friend, Ufi,” she explained. The hotel’s features include 24-hour air conditioning and individual CCTV access for owners, allowing them to monitor their cats through their phones. To ensure security and peace of mind, 16 CCTV cameras provide round-the-clock surveillance.
Since its opening, the hotel has boarded over a thousand cats, with peak times during festive seasons when booking is essential at least a month in advance. Cat owners can bring their pets’ favorite food, or choose to have them fed high-quality kibble. Cats are fed three times a day, and filtered water is provided to keep them hydrated.
In addition to basic boarding, the hotel offers grooming services and emergency vet visits. The staff are certified in cat handling and grooming, and only vaccinated cats are accepted. Cats are also kept separate from each other to avoid potential issues and to ensure a safe environment.
Each cat gets 30 minutes of playtime daily, though this can vary depending on the number of boarders. Playtime remains a key feature, and the cats have access to a safe, enclosed space with regular new toys and contraptions to keep them active and entertained.
Tiera, a marketing degree student at Universiti Teknologi Mara, hopes to expand Ufi’s Premium Cat Hotel nationwide. With many regular clients and positive feedback, she is eager to meet the evolving needs of pet owners and continuously improve the service. The hotel operates daily from 9am to 7pm, except on Tuesdays and Fridays, when it runs from 9am to 5pm.
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