A SUFFOLK cattery has today come up with the purr-fect idea to help jet setters who hate to leave their feline friends at home.Cat owners who miss their pets while on holiday will soon be able to see their loved-ones at any time of the day - from anywhere in the world - thanks to an innovative webcam system.

A SUFFOLK cattery has today come up with the purr-fect idea to help jet setters who hate to leave their feline friends at home.

Cat owners who miss their pets while on holiday will soon be able to see their loved-ones at any time of the day - from anywhere in the world - thanks to an innovative webcam system.

Cameras are set to be installed at the new Andalyn Country Cat Hotel, Rickinghall, from spring next year, so owners can log on to the internet if they start missing their cat - and take paws for thought with their kitty.

So whether they are holidaying in Southend or South America they will never be more than a click of a button away from their pet.

Lynne Putland, proprietor at the hotel, said: "I've not heard of the webcam idea before but have had several customers request it, especially in the pedigree world.

"One lady hasn't been on holiday for goodness knows how many years as she couldn't bear to leave her cat and said because of our facilities she's decided to go away.

"She has vowed to look every day to see if her cat's okay and to put her mind at rest.

"Believe it or not, there are quite a lot of people out there like her.

"Missing your pet can be heartbreaking and they want to know their cat is in the best place and being looked after.

"I'm quite happy for people to see what I'm up to at any time of the day or night - I've nothing to hide."

Mrs Putland has been breeding and showing cats for more than 30 years while holding down a job as a full-time nurse. She has now given up nursing to run the hotel.

The plan is to put cameras in four of the pens to begin with and charge a higher fee for the privilege.

She added: "People seem to be getting closer to their pets than they use to be.

"For many of the older generation they become like surrogate children.

"Cats can give you so much love and affection so its understandable people devote so much time to them."

The cattery, which has room for 30 cats, opened last month after a loan from the Suffolk Regeneration Trust. It already offers five star accommodation and a 24-hour CCTV system.

WEBLINK:

www.andalyncats.co.uk

www.suffolkregenerationtrust.org

Would you log-on while on holiday to take a look at your pet cat? Write to Your Letters, Evening Star, 30 Lower Brook Street, Ipswich, IP4 1AN or send us an e-mail to eveningstarletters@eveningstar.co.uk