About Us

Hackett Hounds & Cats is a proudly family-owned and operated doggy daycare, grooming parlor and cattery with deep roots and a whole lot of heart.

It All Began with Cats...
Our story started in the early 1990s with Avalon Cattery, lovingly founded by Margaret Hackett alongside her late husband, Dr. Kevin Hackett, a respected veterinarian and pioneer in companion animal care.

The cattery was originally part of Avalon Vet, based at the family home in the Southern Suburbs of Cape Town.

Dr. Hackett was one of the first vets in South Africa to introduce puppy socialisation classes at his practice.

He helped shape the local animal behaviour field by hosting internationally renowned behaviourists like Roger Mugford and Peter Neville during their visits to South Africa.

A Family Passion Passed Down
Growing up surrounded by animals and the veterinary world, the Hackett sisters— Adrienne and Danielle naturally followed in their parents’ footsteps. In 2002, they began running the Avalon Puppy School, sparking a lifelong commitment to the well-being and development of dogs.

Both sisters went on to complete Puppy Training and Animal Behaviour  through Onderstepoort University, under the guidance of esteemed behaviourist and veterinarian Dr. Quixi Sonntag.

While their formal studies took them in different directions—Danielle in Public Relations and Adrienne in Marketing—their shared love for animals always brought them back to the family legacy.

How Daycare Was Born
During their years of running puppy classes, one question came up again and again:
“What do we do with our dog while we’re at work?”

At the time, dog daycare wasn’t a common concept—until their eldest sister Jacqui, living in Los Angeles, rescued a dog in Mexico. Her landlord welcomed the dog on one condition: he had to attend daycare. The family was intrigued—“Daycare for dogs? That’s so American!”

Fast forward 10 years to 2012, and Adrienne and Danielle opened their own daycare at the Avalon Vet premises. What started as a small venture has grown into a thriving community of happy dogs and loyal families. Many of our original pups are still with us today, proudly part of our Golden Oldie Pack.

Growing with Heart
We’ve grown slowly and intentionally—learning, improving, and staying true to our values. Hackett Hounds & Cats is more than a business. It’s a family legacy built on compassion, trust, and decades of experience in animal care.

Hackett Hounds & Cats isn’t just a place to leave your pet — it’s a place where they’re truly loved and understood.
We look forward to welcoming you into our family.