Tiumpanhead Kennels on Point has announced it is closing down after 23 years in business.

The boarding facility for cats and dogs is based in buildings adjacent to the Tiumpanhead lighthouse. 

Yesterday (Tuesday 13 October), the business announced on Facebook that it is set to close its doors in January next year. 

Owners Richard and Jenny Pain are starting a new chapter as they close the beloved kennels and cattery after more than two decades of caring for hundreds of pets.

The decision came as they began to consider their time in the business. Jenny said: “We’re both approaching retirement, and it was just the right time.”

While speaking with welovestornoway.com, Jenny shared that it is the relationships that have been built with customers over the last 23 years that will be missed the most.

Jenny said: “Gosh. We have had such amazing support from our customers, you know, and even telling them that we’re closing, everybody’s still been really kind. So, I guess that’s what we’ll miss.”

She added: “It isn’t just about the animals, it’s about the people.”

Jenny then shared of how she felt like they have watched families grow as well as the pets they have cared for.

"We started off with customers where we were looking after their puppies or kittens, and we’ve looked after them through their whole life, which is amazing,” she added. “You’ve literally seen their pets grow from babies to old age, it’s lovely. And also, it’s a bit emotional.

“But it isn’t just that. We’ve watched customers bring their children here with their pets when they were young, and then we’ve watched the children be old enough to bring the pets themselves. Then you think, ‘Yeah, it’s time to retire,'" she joked.

Richard and Jenny have always prioritised providing a service that is open "every day of the year" for all their customers, which from time to time has meant to couple have taken separate holidays to ensure the business is following through on its commitment.

Following their retirement, the couple are looking forward to starting their next chapter which sees them leaving island life behind and heading to a sunnier, and warmer Tenerife.

Jenny said: “We’re staying open over Christmas and New Year because we had a lot of bookings already, and then we’re going to close at the beginning of January. We’re actually leaving the island at the end of January, so yeah, we’re moving on.”

It’s a bittersweet move for the owners and Tiumpan Head Kennels team. However, Jenny hopes the business can carry on if the willing participants step forward to carry on the useful service for islanders and pets.

She said: “I hope somebody else opens the kennels and the cattery, you know, because there’s a huge need for it here. It isn’t just about people going on holiday, it’s about hospital appointments, family emergencies, you know, island life can be difficult. 

She added: “And I think the people that have used that space, I really hope for them that somebody else sort of picks up the opportunity to provide them with a service.”

As for their customers, Jenny said the support has been “amazing”. Even since sharing the news of the closure, they have been overwhelmed by the kindness and support shown to them. 

She said: “They’ve just been so lovely to us. It’s hard looking after other people’s animals sometimes, you know. It’s a responsibility and they trust us, so you couldn’t ask for more than that.”

Reflecting on their time running the kennels and cattery, welcoming hundreds of family pets in and out, the trust has been at times “overwhelming” but “lovely”. However, the most memorable aspect of the job is to see each pet grow as the year’s go on. 

When asked if there was anything she would like to say to the customers, Jenny said: “Honestly, just a great big thank you. Over all these years, to everyone that’s stuck with us and have supported us and been so kind to us."