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[title]I'd like to start this article with some facts provided by the consulting firm VOICES!:
- More than half of Argentinians live with a cat in their home.
- 7 out of 10 cat owners see their cat as part of the family.
- In 4 out of 10 households with cats, there's more than one, and in most homes, cats live with dogs.
- 2 out of 10 cat owners feed them homemade food.
It's clear that cats are an essential part of Argentine families, right? In this context, veterinarian Virginia Vallejos decided to offer a solution to those owners who need to temporarily board their cats. That's how Mishmosos was born, a chain of hotels for cats that provides all the comforts and amenities so pets feel at home and their owners can rest easy and confident.
Virginia, how did the idea to create cat hotels come about?
In 2011, at the age of 17, I traveled from Trelew, Chubut, to Buenos Aires with the dream of becoming a veterinarian. In 2013, when I was going through a tough financial time, I came up with the idea of becoming a cat-sitter. That's how I later founded Mishmosos, and my first guest was Pancho, a kitten who stayed for one day. In 2019, I achieved my dream of becoming a veterinarian and expanded my business. Today, Mishmosos has locations in Parque Chas, Vicente López, and Quilmes, and we host over 1,500 guests a year, providing them with love and care just like at home.
"We host over 1,500 guests a year, providing them with love and care, just like at home"
What sets your hotels apart?
More than 10 years of pampering cats, veterinary supervision, constant innovation, and personalized care. At Mishmosos, we understand that cats are a part of the family, so we provide all the comfort, convenience, and professionalism they need to feel just as good as they do at home. We don’t use cages, and we pay attention to every detail to ensure a 5-star experience. We've built the "Disney for cats," and our approach goes beyond simply taking good care of them—we aim to create a unique experience. Families receive a folder with photos and videos of their cats’ adventures at Mishmosos, and they can see them daily.
"We've built the 'Disney for cats,' and the aim is to create a unique experience"
What are the main requirements that clients are looking for?
That their cat adjusts well and is treated with personalized care. They want us to play with them, feed them, and share lots of photos and videos. When families and their cats arrive for the first time, they’re often nervous, so empathizing with them and helping them build trust is one of our key tasks at Mishmosos.
Can you share a funny story about a guest?
One day, a cat’s dad came to pick him up, and the cat turned his back on him! The owner was super offended. Though, he got over it when he offered his cat a treat, but it was quite the moment. The cat was very affectionate, but he resisted jumping on his owner. It seems like he had a great time with us.
What’s next for Mishmosos?
This year, we launched a plan to generate sales through veterinary clinics, pet shops, and travel agencies. We realized that recommendations are key in our sector. Plus, we’re planning to add two more locations in Buenos Aires, and we’re aiming to open in Rosario and Córdoba.
Where: Ginebra 3943, Parque Chas; Balcarce 315, Quilmes; Arenales 1561, Florida.