How a cat lover’s Creamfields dilemma led her to launch her own business Cozycat

When teaching assistant Fruz Racz was planning a trip to Creamfields three years ago, she couldn’t face the thought of her cat being without company for the weekend.

Fruz explains, “My mum couldn’t look after our cat, Kitty, and I really didn’t like the idea of leaving her.”

“She’s not that interested in food, she’s a real social butterfly so she just wants to be played with and have cuddles. I thought if we weren’t there, would she think we’d abandoned her?”

Not wanting Kitty to be alone or to have to move out of their home led Fruz to search for options.

“I found a catsitter which seemed like the answer, but then the one I was using was always fully booked so I realised there was a gap in the market.

“I love cats and I know that they much prefer being their own environment and in their own space so that’s what inspired me to set up my own business – the belief that cats should be able to stay at home and stress-free while their owners are away.”

Fruz, who lives in Whiston, launched CozyCat in July 2024 and she now has more than 100 clients across Liverpool who rely on her to look after their pets.

Her business has been so successful that she’s recently been shortlisted as a North West finalist at the UK StartUp Awards 2026.

After initially advertising through Facebook groups, social media and leaflets, personal recommendations have proved the biggest source of clients for 34-year-old Fruz.

And she’s had so many bookings she’s had to enlist help from her mum Kat, who has her own three cats and has been invaluable in lending support.

Fruz says anyone considering her catsitting service first fills out an online form with all their details, then they arrange a meet-and-greet.

“I think it’s important that people get to meet me and trust me because you wouldn’t just leave your kids with anyone so why would you leave your cat with someone you’d never met? It’s your house as well, so you want to know who’s coming into your home when you’re not there.

“Going to meet owners and their cats reassures me and them. It’s completely free and I give them the option to change their mind, although no one actually has.”

Fruz takes bookings for half an hour or hour-long visits which include feeding, fresh water, litter care and playtime or just company depending on each individual cat’s personality.

She also sends a photo and video update to owners’ phones at the end of every visit so they can relax knowing their cats are being well cared for.

“All cats are different so I go in and always let the cats decide whether they want to come to me. If they’re more confident, they’ll come straight away and sit with me – I have some who hear me coming and are waiting by the door! – and if they’re shy and hiding I’ll wait for them to approach me when they’re ready.

“Even with the same cats not every visit will be the same. I can go one day and they’ll want to play a lot, another time they’ll be happy just sitting at the window. It’s whatever they’re most comfortable doing.”

Fruz says CozyCat has proved so popular she’s considering giving up her teaching assistant job to focus on the business full time.

“It can be intense because it is so busy, but I love cats so much it doesn’t matter how long a day it is, if there are cats on their own who need food I would never let anyone down.

“The most visits I’ve done in one day was on Christmas Day when I did 14. I left my house at 6.30am, came home for an hour at 10am to open our presents, I had some food and then was back out until 8.30pm. 

“Me and my boyfriend celebrated our Christmas on the day after Boxing Day, that’s when we got to have our Christmas dinner, but I really don’t mind.

“I get to cuddle cats all day and I meet such lovely people so I love doing what I do.”

Check out Cozycat’s website.

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