“Alcoholic” Cats at the Planet Inn Perth

People who have pets often treat them as part of the family, and at Planet Inn we feel the same way.

Many young travelers miss their pets and even some of the most committed ‘dog people’ say that they have taken a shine to our ever so chilled out hostel cats.

Our two remaining cats, ‘Bourbon’ and ‘Champagne’ are on the payroll working conscientiously in the pest control and purring departments.

Aside from me, “Bourbon’ is in fact the longest serving member of staff. She was a kitten in our house before we took over the hostel in March 1996. She had a sister named ‘Coke’ who was unfortunately run over.

After the coke went flat, we enlisted ‘Tihsa’ (spell it backwards), but she went the same way.

Several other incumbents joined the ranks : ‘Guiness’ (ran over), ‘Keg’ (ran away), Stolli (moved in with an old lady after the girls gave him a hard time) and ‘Malibu’ (adopted by former staff Keef and Shaz.).

Champagne and Malibu were both rescued from the cat haven and have enjoyed happy lives ever since.

There was once a dog, named ‘Rusty’, before my time, but he was alas run over and died in Lesley’s arms.

Why cats?

They clean themselves, they bury their droppings (mostly!) and don’t need taking for walks. They have been trained not to climb on tables but are frequently seen nearby, and pretending that no-one ever feeds them when backpackers are eating.

I too was a ‘dog person’. Now I’m both a ‘cat and dog’ person.