The origin
Chat-o-Gand was founded in 2010 by Joline De Jaegher. It offers a complete service for cats and their owners. Starting from an in-depth knowledge of cat behavior and years of experience. The stay, treatment and contact with cats becomes a positive and stress-free experience.
Cats have only been partially domesticated over the centuries, so they have remained somewhat wild. The relationship between cat and human is one between two very different creatures who each experience and understand the world in a completely different way. Knowledge about cat behavior allows us to understand what cats need and to better understand their living environment.
Chat-o-Gand video portrait
Stefanie Heyse (student journalism) made this wonderful portrait about Joline and the origin of Chat-o-Gand.
The Chat-o-Gand team
Inspiring innovators and professional cat servants with an inexhaustible drive.
All team members have one thing in common: an unlimited passion for cats and their happiness.
In addition, they are enthusiastic to share their knowledge and inspire owners with all kinds of tips about the best way to deal with cats.
and how to make them happy.
At Chat-o-Gand, your cat is in safe hands, as it's surrounded by a team of qualified animal caretakers.
Our cat servants are all trained and have a professional bachelor in animal care. Joline and Riet even have an additional Post Graduate diploma.
Playful or quiet, meowing for cuddles or a bit more cautious. Every cat is unique. We observe and adapt our approach according to the wishes and preferences of the animal. Our cat servants understand the character of your cat and respond seamlessly to her needs: from extra rest to extra playtime.
About founder Joline
Education
Joline is trained as an animal caretaker/veterinary assistant (at Hogent) and graduated in 2010 with a Post-graduate diploma of Applied Animal Behavior (at Kaho Sint-Lieven). Since then she has worked as a cat behavioral therapist at Chat-o-Gand.
These educations formed an excellent foundation to further expand her knowledge about cats.
Learning about cats is endless and incredibly fascinating. That's why Joline went to
The Netherlands in 2018 (the Pet Knowledge Institute) to train to become a cat and coat-friendly groomer.
Activities
In addition to being the founder of Chat-o-Gand, a cat behavior therapist and a cat groomer, Joline is a founding member of the Association for Animal Behavioral Professionals (VDG), which was established in 2013. Furthermore, she's also the behavioral therapist at DreamCatchers: the unique cat-friendly adoption café in Ghent and regular cat behavior expert at veterinary practice WelloPet.
Mission
Joline has made it her mission to improve the welfare of cats, provide expert cat services, approach cat problems and provide qualitative advice to owners and enthusiasts.
Cat Servant functions
- Cat behavior therapist
- Cat hotel caregiver
- Groomer
- Cat school lecturer and guest teacher at Vives and Odisee university college, among others
Spare time
Joline lives with her husband, two sweet daughters and a quirky black cat in Ghent!
If there's some time left, she likes to explore
nature or to play board games.
About Riet
Training and background
Riet has had a great fondness of cats from an early age. She graduated from Hogent as a professional animal caregiver and started working as a veterinary assistant at DAP De Groote (who is also our excellent Chat-o-Resort vet).
Riet is fascinated by cat behavior and has tackled the Post-graduate training of applied animal behavior where she successfully graduated in 2018! Riet came into contact with Joline during her internship and followed additional training to start grooming cats.
Cat Servant functions
Spare time
In addition to her love for cats, she loves eating desserts, large houseplants, going out with friends and she has a weakness for Freitag bags.
About Wiske
Training and background
Wiske has loved nature, animals and cats in particular from an early age!
This has led to the choice to study animal care at Hogeschool Ghent.
Besides that, she contributed for six years as a volunteer in an animal shelter at the cat department.
Cat Servant functions
Spare time
Besides the professional work with cats, Wiske herself is the proud owner of 3 sweet cats and she likes to go for a run. With lots of enthusiasm Wiske goes to work to give your cat a pleasant time!
About Bart
Training and background
Bart is trained as an industrial engineer in computer science. He is the partner of Joline as well as the technological brain of the team.
He functions as a co-manager, product developer and sometimes helps in the cat hotel.
You can mainly meet Bart in the cat hotel during technical defects of all kinds, occasionally as a Cat Servant in the Chat-o-Resort and as a spokesperson of the products in our shop and at fairs. :-)
Spare time
- Developing projects
- (Board) gaming
- Reading fantasy books
About Marjolein
Training and background
Marjolein is a “people person” and an “animal person”.
For 10 years she has been working in the social sector with vulnerable families. For a few years she was a foster home for cats of the animal shelter in Ghent. As a volunteer she got the opportunity to attend the education “Animal Shelter Employee” at the university college. Today she keeps educating herself through Chat-o-Gand.
This Cat Servant strives to make every stay in the cat hotel a positive and stress-free experience, both for the cat and its owner! Besides that, Marjolein will also spoil your cats at home!
Cat Servant functions
Spare time
Marjolein has fluffy friends at home as well:
- A tabby cat, who she's fostered when he was a baby kitten.
- A dog from the shelter, with whom she walks daily in the beautiful nature of 'Gentbrugse Meersen'.
Working at Chat-o-Gand?
Do you want to be our new co-worker?
Do you have a passion for cats, do you live in the region of Ghent and do you have a professional animal care bachelor's degree? Don't hesitate to contact us!
Fancy an internship with us?
Are you currently studying animal care, have a passion for cats and are you looking for a fun internship? Chat-o-Gand might be the right place for you. Read more for our possibilities!
Even more cat happiness?
Cat hotel by therapist
Our vision of a cat hotel
Grooming salon
Combine a hotel stay with coat care
Cat School
Learn more about cat behavior!
Behavioral therapy
Make your cat happier and book a Zen-Consult
Cat sitting at home
Does your cat prefer to stay at home? We'll help you!
The Petcube
Check via webcam how your cat is doing