When Felicia opened Longcroft Crowthorne in August 2023, she fulfilled a lifelong dream: to turn her deep love of animals into a rewarding and sustainable career. Tucked away in her peaceful, leafy garden in the picturesque village of Crowthorne, Berkshire, Felicia’s luxury cat hotel offers a tranquil retreat for feline guests with eight beautifully designed suites and a five-star standard of care.

With a background as an equine veterinary nurse and experience at the prestigious University of Cambridge School of Veterinary Medicine, Felicia brings an exceptional level of knowledge and compassion to her role. She’s cared for animals of all shapes and sizes – from horses to big cats – and now channels that expertise into offering a truly bespoke experience for every kitty guest.

“I had struggled to find quality care for my own cat, Jess, until a friend recommended Longcroft. I saw immediately that this was something truly special and I wanted to be part of it. I just wanted to work with other people like me, who love and respect animals and would treat kitties as the precious family members that they are. I could instantly see myself as part of the Longcroft family, offering the level of care I had desperately been seeking for years.”

Felicia’s feline family includes her beloved cat Jess, and she’s currently on the lookout to welcome a few more paws into her home. Her human family – husband and three children – are also fully onboard with life as luxury kitty concierges!

Felicia says the most rewarding part of running her own Longcroft hotel is, without doubt, the guests: “I love working out what makes every guest tick – whether it’s catching ping pong balls, devouring fresh chicken, chin scratches, or chasing catnip bubbles. That moment when I know my guests are truly happy – it’s why I do this ‘job’! I love being able to share these precious moments with my guests’ owners too – helping customers to relax while they are away from their fur babies.”

Running a business from home, around family life, has been a game-changer for Felicia, but she’s also quick to highlight the importance of joining a franchise rather than going solo: “I have had people ask me why I decided to join a franchise and not open a stand-alone hotel. The answer is that the support has been phenomenal. Abi, Lucy, and the team took care of everything – training, marketing, planning, licensing – so I could focus on my guests. I didn’t have to make rookie mistakes, because I had a team of experts guiding me from day one.”

As part of the UK’s only luxury cat hotel group, Felicia is meeting the rising demand for expert feline care – especially from a growing number of pedigree kitty owners who expect nothing but the best for their four-legged family members.

And her advice for anyone thinking of joining the Longcroft family? “Visit a Longcroft Cat Hotel and really experience the magic. If you’re someone who’s ready to go above and beyond for animals, this is more than just a business – it’s the most rewarding job.”

To find out more about franchise opportunities and for an informal chat with our team, call 020 3887 2443 or email franchise@longcroftcathotel.co.uk