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Kalmar Cat Hotel is a purpose-built, cats-only boarding facility created with comfort, safety, and peace of mind at its heart.

  Hi, I’m Donna, the creator and owner of Kalmar Cat Hotel.

About ten years ago, while living in Campbell River, I had a sudden realization: retirement was approaching quickly, and I hadn’t given much thought to how I might supplement my pension. I wanted to do something meaningful—something I truly cared about. That’s when the idea of a cat-only boarding hotel was born.

  When I began researching the pet boarding industry, I was surprised to find that cats were hugely under-represented. Dog kennels were everywhere, but cat-specific boarding? Almost unheard of. Even insurance companies were puzzled—dog kennels, yes… but a cat hotel? That was new territory.

  Despite the skepticism, Kalmar Cat Hotel caught on fast.

Within days of our grand opening, we had our first guests. Word spread quickly, and soon the local newspaper featured the hotel. Other newspapers across British Columbia picked up the story, and before long, CBC Radio contacted me to take part in a nationwide, live-on-air interview. The host asked all sorts of questions about what a cat hotel actually is and how it works—and it was an absolute blast.

  During COVID,  CHEK NEWS  (Victoria) reached out and asked if Ed Bain and Jeff King could come film a segment inside the hotel for The Upside. Their visit caused quite a stir—once the CHEK News van arrived, word spread quickly and the street filled with people eager to meet them. It was a fun and memorable experience that brought even more attention to what we do.

  In 2022, I decided it was time for a quieter, more rural lifestyle. We relocated to Telkwa, settling on five acres of serene, forested land with the beautiful Bulkley River flowing just meters away.

The new Kalmar Cat Hotel was designed entirely by me and built to my exact specifications—based on what I would want for my own cats. The result is a calm, secure, and enriching environment that puts feline comfort first.

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Our Facility Features

• A fully secure 13’ x 25’ outdoor catio

• Heating and air conditioning with air filtration

• A refrigerator for medications

• A microwave for warming senior cats’ canned food

• Individual care and attention for every guest

Everything here is designed to reduce stress and help cats feel safe, comfortable, and at home.

Transportation Services

We also offer home or airport pickup and return for an agreed-upon fee—typically around $25 each way, depending on distance and weather conditions.

If you have any questions or would like to learn more, feel free to get in touch.

📞 (250) 926-0195

At Kalmar Cat Hotel, cats aren’t an afterthought—they’re the whole point.