Building on a successful mobile feline grooming business, Sydney Beers of Warner Robins is preparing to open Middle Georgia’s first cat-exclusive spa and boarding facility. Kitty Corner Spa & Boarding is set to open on March 15, 2025, at 2062 Watson Blvd, Suite C, in Warner Robins.
Why focus solely on cats? Beers, a member of the National Cat Groomers Institute, explains, “For the health of your cat, of course. There’s no barking dogs to stress them out, and they get a spacious suite to themselves.” Beers, who is working toward her NCGI Certified Feline Master Groomer certificate, aims to transform a 1,021-square-foot vacant space into a safe and cozy haven where cats receive extra care while being groomed or boarded. She has already completed 60 hours of grooming training at Club Meow Inc., a feline-exclusive boarding and grooming facility in Council Bluffs, Iowa, in addition to her years of hands-on experience.
The new location is situated in a shopping strip anchored by an ExtraMile convenience store and a Chevron gas station. The suite is in the far-right corner, which Beers finds fitting, given the playful connection to the name of her business, Kitty Corner Spa & Boarding.
Beers started her career grooming both dogs and cats at a Perry grooming business before venturing out on her own, specializing in grooming cats at their owners’ homes. She chose to focus exclusively on felines because, as she says, “Cats are my passion.”
Beers recalled, “I had several cat clients who came to me while I was also grooming dogs, and their poor kitties got so upset from the barking dogs. They were loud and all over the place, and the cats didn’t know what to do. It would be so great to have a place where I could take my own cats, knowing they would be cared for without all the stress from dogs and noise.”
Through her mobile Kitty Corner Spa, Beers travels across Middle Georgia, equipped with her own shampoos, towels, clippers, combs, nail trimmers, and even a hose that connects to a bathtub. She uses a high-powered shop vac to clean up cat hair and prides herself on being able to finish each grooming session in 90 minutes, leaving the space spotless. “I always leave wherever I’m grooming nice and clean, as if I was never there,” she says.
Beers, who has several rescue cats, is dedicated to offering plenty of TLC to the cats she grooms. Her mobile business has received positive reviews on social media. Julie Nichols-Johnson, for example, wrote in her Facebook review, “Today was the first time we’ve ever used a cat grooming service, and we are over the top happy with the service Sydney provided. She is so knowledgeable and genuinely cares about her furry clients! Frankie, our 6-month-old, long-haired kitty, was super comfortable with her. We look forward to future services from Kitty Corner Spa!”
Lacie Crow, another satisfied customer, praised Beers for her gentle approach with her elderly cat. “The end result exceeded my expectations,” Crow said in her review, which included a picture of her cat.
Beers also volunteers her services to groom rescue cats before they are adopted, including those at Paws Awhile Cat Cafe in Perry. The cafe, the first of its kind in Middle Georgia, provides a space where people can enjoy beverages and snacks while spending time with adoptable cats. Some cats need a bit of grooming to look their best for potential adopters, and Beers always helps out, offering her services for free, said Rebecca Marfell, owner of the Paws Awhile Cat Cafe.
“Sydney’s work has absolutely increased the adoptability of the cats she’s helped, and we are so grateful,” said Marfell, who met Beers as a customer at the cafe. The two became fast friends. “Sydney is fantastic at her craft, and she genuinely cares about every cat she works with. It means so much to her to support their health and well-being, and it shows.”
Marfell also praised Beers’ decision to focus exclusively on cats. “As a cat owner myself, I’m thrilled to have someone who specializes in feline care and understands their unique needs,” Marfell said. “I think other cat owners will appreciate the ability to board their cats in a calm, cat-centered environment where they will be well cared for.”
Interestingly, Beers is allergic to cats, which partly explains her passion for bathing them. Though some cat owners might not agree with bathing their cats, Beers believes it helps reduce pet dander, which can trigger allergic reactions. To manage her own allergies, she uses over-the-counter medication, keeps an epipen on hand, and wears a mask when grooming heavily matted cats. She explains that when cats groom themselves using their saliva, dust, dirt, and oils can build up on their coats, signaling the need for a bath.
Beers offers a variety of bath packages for short and medium to long-haired cats, including nail trimming, a bath, blowout, sanitary trim, and ear cleaning. She also offers lion cuts, teddy cuts, and additional services such as belly shaves or “hot mess” treatments for cats with mats or tangles.
To expand her business, Beers introduced cat-sitting services while she looked for the ideal location for a storefront. Once Kitty Corner Spa & Boarding opens its permanent location, Beers plans to work mainly out of the storefront. However, she will consider exceptions for clients with special needs, such as elderly cats or those prone to car sickness. The facility will feature generous boarding suites measuring 5 feet by 6 feet and 8 feet by 6 feet, giving the cats room to stretch and play. Each suite will include a comfy bed, litter box, water and food bowls, and a small cat tree for added fun.
The basic boarding package includes these amenities, but for an additional fee, cats can enjoy premium stays with perks like an electric water bowl and daily happy hour treats. Owners are encouraged to bring their cat’s regular food, but if they forget, Beers can provide food for a small additional charge. She can also administer medication for an extra fee. Owners are encouraged to bring their cats’ favorite toys, blankets, and beds to make their stay feel more like home. Cats may board together in the same suite.
To ensure the health and safety of all pets, the facility requires that cats be free of contagious diseases and parasites, with proof of current rabies and distemper (FVRCP) vaccinations. Flea prevention must also be up-to-date.
For now, Beers manages the business on her own, but as demand grows, she plans to hire a “kitty concierge” to assist with evening tasks like cleaning suites, feeding cats, and changing litter boxes.
Beers, who lives just five minutes from the facility with her husband, three children, and their cats, grew up with a love for animals. She helped her parents train guide dogs for the blind and worked on a farm as a child, eventually getting her own horse.
For the grand opening of Kitty Corner Spa & Boarding, Beers plans to host an adoption event to showcase the boarding suites while giving cats a chance to find forever homes. She also plans to have raffles, with proceeds benefiting rescue groups. Raffle prizes will include an $80 Kitty Corner Spa & Grooming gift certificate and a grooming supplies gift basket.
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