About Whiskers Lodge
We believe in a slower, softer approach to feline care—one that honors the natural rhythms of cat life. At Whiskers Lodge, boarding isn’t a transaction. It’s a thoughtfully designed experience rooted in calm, comfort, and trust.
Every guest is welcomed into a peaceful retreat that feels familiar, safe, and indulgent in all the right ways.
The Story
The History
Tom was the one who stayed.
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A senior cat facing cancer, he needed comfort and calm more than ever. When his human came to bring him home, Tom did not budge. Instead, he walked right back to his suite and chose to stay a little longer.
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That quiet moment said everything.
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For more than seventeen years, our family cared for cats through a cat-only boarding program.
Over that time, many stories stood out. Cats like Misty, who never wanted to leave, and Lulu, who returned home noticeably calmer after her stay.
Those experiences helped shape the understanding of feline care that influences the lodge we are building today.
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At Whiskers Lodge, we carry that perspective forward. A retreat where cats feel safe, seen, and gently cared for.
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Because here they are not just guests.
They are family and always treated that way.
Snuggles Inn began in 2009 in Woodinville wine country, where our family set out to create a different kind of cat boarding experience. One shaped by trust, warmth, and a deep understanding of feline wellbeing.
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Over the years, it became a beloved destination for cat parents, known for its attentive care and lodge inspired atmosphere.
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In 2026, we carried that spirit forward with Whiskers Lodge in Seattle’s Wallingford neighborhood. As the next generation of our family, we are building on what we learned while shaping a new space designed around the same core values: thoughtful care, serene environments, and an experience that feels personal for every cat and their family.
Calm Is The Standard
We design every interaction, routine, and space to reduce stress. Quiet environments, predictable care, and unrushed handling are essential—not optional.
Our Values
Respect the Individual
No two cats or parents are the same. We observe, adjust, and respond to each cat’s and parent's needs, preferences, and comfort level with patience and care.
Care Without Compromise
Safety, cleanliness, and attention to detail guide everything we do. From sanitation protocols to recordkeeping, we follow clear standards and do the work thoroughly, every time.
Thoughtful by Design
Whiskers Lodge is intentionally small, structured, and precise. Our systems, spaces, and processes are built with purpose, allowing us to provide consistent, high-quality care as we grow.
Every decision at Whiskers Lodge—from suite layout to daily routines—is guided by a single question: does this help a cat feel safer, calmer, and more at ease?
Our Team
Whiskers Lodge was built by people who understand both cats and systems—because thoughtful care requires intention, consistency, and follow-through.
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As a family-owned and independently operated retreat, we keep things small by design. Every cat is known by name. Every stay is customized. From trained staff who specialize in feline behavior to the hands-on owners behind the scenes, our team is united by a shared love of animals and a commitment to excellence in every detail.
Kip Brookbank
Co-Founder, he/him
Previously: Amazon (Project Kuiper, Amazon Prime Video), Microsoft (Xbox Game Studios / Undead Labs)
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Kip leads the day-to-day care and operations at Whiskers Lodge, bringing a lifelong commitment to cats alongside a deep respect for how they experience stress, routine, and unfamiliar environments.
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Before co-founding Whiskers Lodge, Kip spent over a decade in senior people and recruiting leadership roles at Amazon and Microsoft, including work across Amazon Prime Video, Project Kuiper, and Xbox Game Studios. That work required building systems where trust, safety, and consistency mattered, and those same principles now shape how care is delivered at the lodge.
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At Whiskers Lodge, Kip oversees daily care standards, staff training, and operational design with a calm-first philosophy. Every process is built around feline behavior, observation, and pacing, ensuring each cat is supported as an individual, not just a booking.
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Kip is also the voice behind Whiskers Lodge’s social presence, where thousands of cat parents follow along for humor, real-life moments, and behavior-informed insight grounded in how cats actually experience change.
John Hall
Co-Founder, he/him
John leads operations strategy, facility build-out, and serves on the Whiskers Lodge board, helping translate philosophy into a well-run, thoughtfully designed space.
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With a long-standing career at Sucker Punch Productions (Sony), John brings a systems-oriented, design-led approach to how environments function and feel. His professional background informs everything from spatial layout and workflow planning to the behind-the-scenes processes that support calm, consistent care.
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John also grew up in a family that has provided feline care since 2009, giving him early, hands-on exposure to what cats need when their people are away. While continuing his work at Sucker Punch, John remains closely involved in shaping Whiskers Lodge at the strategic level—ensuring the retreat is built intentionally, operated responsibly, and held to a high standard of excellence.
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Together, Kip and John built Whiskers Lodge to be small by design, thoughtfully run, and worthy of the trust cat parents place in it.