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About us
Purpose built
Boarding facility
On-site veterinary
Special care for cats
with medical needs
Nelson Cat Hotel is a family-run boarding facility with veterinary oversight designed with one purpose: to offer safe, comfortable, and reliable care for cats of all kinds—including those with special medical or behavioural needs.
We’ve lived in Nelson since 2005, drawn here by the landscape and lifestyle. It quickly became home. Over the years, we’ve raised our family here, worked in local businesses, and stayed active in the community. The idea of opening a cat hotel was something we talked about often—a practical, meaningful project that brought together our skills and values.
Melanie is a practising veterinarian with over 20 years of experience. She’s worked with animals across all stages of life, from routine check-ups to complex care. Michael brings a background in business operations and management. Together, we’ve built Nelson Cat Hotel to offer a professional, trustworthy place for cats—especially those who need some extra attention.
We know how hard it can be to find care for a cat who’s elderly, on medication, or just a little different. Our facility is designed to support these cats safely and calmly. Healthy cats have their own spaces too—clean, quiet, and enriched—so every guest can feel secure and at ease.
Located at the top of Somerset Terrace in Stoke, our cattery overlooks a peaceful stretch of farmland, just minutes from Nelson Airport. It’s quiet, light-filled, and designed to reduce stress—for cats and their people.
At Nelson Cat Hotel, we keep our numbers small so we can focus on doing things well. Whether your cat needs extra care or just a dependable place to stay, we’re here to help.
Your Nelson Cat Hotel Team
At Nelson Cat Hotel, we’re more than just a boarding facility—we’re a family-run home away from home with expert veterinary oversight for your feline companions.
Meet Melanie
Dr. Melanie Zwiener leads the veterinary care at Nelson Cat Hotel, bringing over two decades of hands-on experience in small animal medicine. Her career has taken her from Germany to Australia and New Zealand, building a strong foundation in surgery, internal medicine, dentistry, and diagnostics. Here at the cat hotel, that expertise ensures every cat—whether healthy or requiring extra care—receives the attention they need.
Melanie’s interest in animals started early. She grew up in a small German town surrounded by pets and livestock, and that upbringing shaped both her career and her outlook. Her academic path in veterinary science included research that was recognised with a national science award—an achievement that reflects her analytical mind and commitment to improving animal care.
Melanie has a calm, intuitive approach to working with cats. Years of clinical experience have given her a deep understanding of feline behaviour and health, and she brings that insight to every aspect of the cat hotel’s care model. Whether it’s a routine check or a more complex medical case, her focus is on keeping cats calm, safe, and well.
Outside of work, Melanie enjoys exploring the Nelson region’s outdoors—hiking, fishing, and spending time with her family. Together with her husband Michael, she co-founded Nelson Cat Hotel to offer something they felt was missing: a boarding facility that combines professional standards with personalised, compassionate care.
Melanie’s presence is what makes Nelson Cat Hotel more than just a place to stay—it’s a place where your cat’s wellbeing is genuinely understood and prioritised.
Meet Michael
Michael Zwiener is the driving force behind the day-to-day operations at Nelson Cat Hotel. With a long-standing love for cats and a strong background in management, IT, and paramedicine, he ensures the facility runs smoothly, safely, and to a high standard.
Michael’s connection with animals goes back to childhood, having always shared his home with cats. Over the years, that personal passion has grown into hands-on experience—fostering cats, volunteering with the SPCA in Nelson, and completing formal training like the New Zealand Certificate in Cat Welfare (ANCN6015). His practical, grounded approach is shaped by a deep respect for animal wellbeing and a strong commitment to learning.
At Nelson Cat Hotel, Michael’s role is all about creating the conditions for great care. From managing systems and logistics to supporting Melanie’s veterinary oversight, he makes sure everything works behind the scenes so that every cat’s stay is calm, safe, and comfortable.
It’s a role that suits him perfectly: combining his skills in operations with a lifelong love of animals, all in the service of creating a better experience for cats—and peace of mind for their people.
Our Family
Nelson Cat Hotel is a small, family-run operation—and that personal touch is felt in everything we do. Alongside Melanie and Michael, our two teenage children, Ben and Sarah, play an active role in daily life at the cat hotel.
Ben has a natural ease with animals. He’s calm, patient, and playful—qualities that make him a favourite among our feline guests. When he’s not helping out at the cattery, he’s busy teaching breakdance classes in the local community or practising his moves at home.
Sarah brings creativity to the mix. A skilled young artist with a love for animals, she would love to paint a portrait of your cats if you like. She has her own cat which she adores.
As a family, we’ve created a place where cats can settle in and feel at ease—and where owners can trust that their pets are being looked after with care and sincerity. Nelson Cat Hotel isn’t just a business; it’s a home built on genuine love for animals and a shared commitment to doing things right.
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