A FORMER nurse has swapped caring for patients in favour of caring for pets as she and her husband have set up a luxury cattery in their garden.

Julie Latta has spent 32 years working for the NHS with the last two spent at the Wivenhoe Surgery.

But she has left the job to set up Crofton Cattery with her husband David at their house in Braiswick, Colchester.

Their dream began last summer when their own moggies Ralph and Flossie had to be left at a cattery while they were on holiday.

After being inspired it was something they could do themselves, and after passing various tests, they are now open for businesses having been given the highest rating possible by inspectors for a new venue.

Mrs Latta, 52, said: “I was talking to David one evening when we got back and we were saying what a lovely life it would be to have a cattery and work from home.

“I told him it would be my dream job and one day I came home and he said he had something for me – it was a guide for how to run one.

“When you start from scratch there is a lot to do with animal welfare regulations and things like that.

“There are lots of risk assessments and certain procedures to go through – having an NHS background was actually quite helpful because it can be quite similar.”

The structure, put together by Mr Latta, has 12 spacious pens – 11 can house individuals or two cats of the same family – while the other is large enough for a whole family. Mrs Latta is hoping to provide peace of mind for people who reluctantly leave their cats behind when they go away.

She said: “When you are away you do worry about your pets.

“By providing a safe and secure space you can take that worry away.

“Cats can sometimes have a tendency to wander if their owners are not around.

“Our pets were initially quite intrigued and spent a lot of time wandering up to the glass but they are now losing interest a bit.”

Mr Latta, 62, previously owned newsagents in High Street and Crouch Street before selling them on and has spent the past few years raising his children. Bookings are now being taken.

For more information visit croftoncattery.co.uk or search for Crofton Cattery on Facebook.