Charlie Andersen
Managing Director
38 Years old and from Denmark

Area:
Stoke Newington, N16, and surrounding areas

Areas
Highbury and surrounding areas

I’ve been a cat carer with Cat Care London since 2005 when I gave up my 9-5 to go back to University and rediscover my brain and I haven’t looked back. I now work as a freelance writer and administrator with flexible hours so looking after cats in my area while their families are away is an ideal addition to my varied work portfolio.

My family always had cats and I’ve adored them as long as I can remember. When I moved to London to study I missed the moggies, so began volunteering at Cats Protection in Archway and eventually, became a foster carer. Over an 18 month period I cared for more than 35 cats and kittens in my own home, including mums with litters and the odd feral! The cats were often on medication, or needed special care and attention and I learned an enormous amount about feline behaviour and care through the experience. It was especially rewarding when the cats found their new, permanent homes. Inevitably, I fell head over heels in love with a pair of kittens in my care and adopted Stella and Cardigan in 2003 and that put an end to my fostering. These days they look a bit bemused when I come home covered in other cats’ fur but so far, they’ve always forgiven me.

Area:
Palmers Green, Southgate, Winchmore Hill, Muswell Hill and surrounding areas

Marianne Hardy
35 years old and from Nottinhamshire

Area:
Islington and surrounding Areas

I have lived in London for 13 years moving here from a small village in nottinhamshire. Looking back I feel blessed that I was able to live so closely with nature.

Since ever I can remember we had cats in our family; whenever I return home I often sit for hours with our cat Roo who enjoys a good pampering while her brother Tigger is usually out a hunting and a fishing and a shooting! My grandmother used to tell us kids the 'Just so' stories by Rutyard Kipling and our favorite was and still is 'the cat that walked by himself' so apt!

I often look after my friends cats when I can and had I the space I would offer a home to a rescue myself. I work in fitness teaching the young and old to keep fit and healthy and while I find this work rewarding I have been feeling a yearning to get back to my roots, I recently joined 'A furry world' as I feel this offers me a perfect opportunity to bring my beloved cats back into my life...how I miss them!

Casie has spent the last year welcoming all sorts of animals into our home and it was only a matter of time before he joined the team. He grew up in the West Indies surrounded by a variety of farm animals and his beloved Husky cross ‘Stanford’. He spent a year working at Franklin Park Zoo in Boston and dealt with reptiles, birds, Lemurs, cows, horses and many other exotic animals.

I have grown up with many cats and cannot imagine a home without a cat curled up in a cosy corner. Currently we have two cats, Winston a black and white moggy who is 13 and a rescue from the RSPCA and Bodecia a tiny tabby who came with Winston and is 11 years old. Both have completely different and complementary personalities and this is one of the things I love about cats. Working for CatCare means we get to spend time with a huge variety of cats with very individual personalities and quirks.

We are both looking forward to meeting many more cats in the future.

Elizabeth Hughes
30 years old from London

Areas: Highbury and surrounding areas

I work in the field of counseling and psychotherapy.  I find my work incredibly rewarding but it can be difficult at times. I find being with animals an ideal antidote to the stress of city life. 

The first cat I grew up with was a tabby called Sweepy.  Since then I have shared houses with many others and been around them in my family's homes in rural Ireland. 

I have always had a strong affinity with animals and if I had the space and my housemates allowed it, I would love to a cat in my home regrettably however this is not possible at the moment.

As well as caring for animals I enjoy photography, art, film, reading, writing and running.

Catherine Jeffrey
42 years old and from London

Areas:
Crouch End, Highgate and surrounding areas

I grew up in London surrounded by pets; at various times we had guinea pigs, hamsters and budgies, but always we had at least one cat. While I love all animals, it is true to say that cats do have a special place in my heart. I have not been able to have cats at home for a few years, and really miss their presence, so whenever I get a chance, I take care of cats when my friends go away.

I enjoy finding out what makes cats tick, and creating a loving, peaceful atmosphere around them. I admire their elegance and acute intelligence; they are wonderful company in their uniquely fascinating ways. Above all, I have great respect cats – I understand why the Egyptians are said to have worshipped them!

My background is that I have an English degree and previously worked in a variety of fields, including as a support worker to a teenage boy with special needs.  Now I work mainly from home as a practitioner of The Metamorphic Technique. This complementary therapy is a wonderful healing resource that can be given to animals as well as humans. So this is always freely available if any cat in my care needs that kind of attention.

Murray Keig
39 Years old and from New Zealand

Area:
Stoke Newington, N16

Murray has been with A Furry World from day one helping in all aspects of the set up and running the business.

Murray came to England just over 4 years ago and has alongside of working as a Network Engineer been spending time traveling Europe; he has now settled down in Islington in a garden flat and loves having animals around.

Since his very first days animals have surrounded Murray. When he was born there was Sooty the black cat and Topper the charming corgi, both of which were his best mates until well into his teens. Since then there have been a variable chorus of animals in the house; Benji the rescue corgi and his sisters bull terror Trooper being the most notable.

Alongside these more traditional of pets have been his collections of small critters; his lizards and praying mantis’s kept his mother on her toes whenever she was tending her jungle of house plants... MURRAY!!!

Since coming to England Murray has missed the animal company and he is very happy to have them back in his life.

Asta Laukaityte
24 years old from Lithuania

Area:
Stoke Newington and surrounding areas

I grew up on a farm surrounded by pets as well as farm animals. From when I was a few years old until I turned 18 and moved out from home I had many different types of pets: from fish, canary birds and budges to rabbits, cats and dogs as well as looking after farm animals, such as chickens, cows and pigs. My pets are what I miss most since coming to London, which was almost 6 years ago, as I never got a chance to get a pet here due to my commitments to work and studies. Therefore I love helping out my brother and friends to look after their pets when I get a chance.

I have worked as a dental nurse for 4.5 years before commencing adult nursing studies in September 2007 at King’s College London. I have a caring personality, which I am sure your beloved pets will appreciate. I understand how difficult it is to go away leaving your pet behind, however with me caring for them you can put your mind at ease knowing that your pet will receive all the attention and love it deserves.

Eleanor Marshall
29 Years Old

Areas:
Stoke Newington and sourounding areas

I live in Dalston with my boyfriend and our 2 tortoise shell cats Treacle and Peanut. I love watching their different personalities as they grow up together and catching them playing tricks on each other. I have always loved cats and have lived with and known some very special furry friends in my time, each with their own little story...

I have recently taken a break from a career in the fashion industry and am enjoying the time I have to read, write and rest so am in a perfect position to look after cats in my spare time. Cat sitting will be a definite change of pace from the catwalk and one I am very happy to have the opportunity to take!

Helen Moreton
40 years and from Cheshire

Areas
Hackney and surrounding areas

Blog about Purdy & Kittens

Animals have always been important to me: my first word was zoo!  I’ve always spent lots of time watching wildlife, have learnt to ride, nursed sick and orphaned wild birds and of course socialized with as many dogs and cats as possible. As a kid we lived by a small lake and had lots of pets, including guinea pigs, gerbils and ducks, which I used to round up and bring in for the night using a canoe.

When I moved to London 18 years ago I adopted two gorgeous part Havana, part Persian kittens.  I had many happy years of stuff getting knocked over and ripped up, play chases across the bed at 3 am… all the usual oriental stuff!  Sadly Bea was pts due to kidney and thyroid disease last year at the age of 17.  I still miss her so much.  Lizzie (who was very patient posing for the picture) is still with me, aged 18, partially sighted and living well (more sedately, just as noisily) with heart, kidney and thyroid problems.  With all that I have a lot of practice giving medication!  I believe you have to be positive and flexible about it, try and make it enjoyable for them, and learn what works best for each individual.

I’ve worked as a volunteer in a children’s hospital play centre and as a domestic in old peoples homes.  At the moment I work from home writing for a website.  I keep fit training for and running marathons for charity.

I can’t have as many animals as I’d like right now.  I’d like loads!  So I spend as much time as possible with other peoples.  I would love to spend some time caring for yours, whether they are young tearaways or lovely oldies.

Polly Scarlett
24 from France

Area:
Finsbury Park, Islington & Highbury

Since I was a little girl I have been around cats. I just can't picture a life without them. There has always been some kind of connection between them and me.

I never thought this passion could turn into a job! I guess that's the magic of London! It is such a pleasure to spend my days caring for these guys, making sure they are happy and safe.

I share a flat with two gorgeous cats, Holly and Mellie, who are treated like princesses, which of cause they deserve! ;-)

I believe that caring for cats while their owners are away is a real treat. Animals are special to me and I want to give the best of myself to them.

Susan Stowell
54 years old from London

Area:
North & West London, NW6

Back in London I became Homecare for the Elderly, and still do some Homecare work.

At the moment my immediate Family consist of my husband Chris a B.T engineer and my Cat Smudge who I’ve had since she was a kitten, she is now twenty years old and a real character, I swear she’s got half a dozen human expressions. She still plays with balls and I often hear them in the early hours being kicked about.

I have always had animals in my life since childhood, Dogs, Cats, Hamsters, Rabbits, Birds, Mice and even a Rat.
I feel so lucky to be able to have a job working with all these little characters and looking forward to looking after them.
If I look after your Pet, you can be sure that I will take as much care with them as if they were my own.

Pia Waldthaler
30 years from Italy/Germany

Areas:
Islingotn and sourounding areas

For the past 5 years I’ve been working in Milan in an Eating disorder rehab as a Dietitian. But after many years of dreaming of living in London my partner and I packed our things and moved here 6 months ago and we absolutely love London.

I contacted Cat Care London because I have always loved animals! I enjoy horseback riding but enjoyed caring for horses as least as much as the riding itself. I have also had a hamster and guinea pigs and looked after friends cats.

I’m delighted to think that now I might be able to make it possibile for someone to have a pet even if they work or travel a lot knowing that there is someone lovingly caring for it.

My other hobbies and interests are cooking (I even have a cook book for dogs!), dancing and travelling.

Sabina Webber
43 years old

Areas:
Stoke Newington, N16 Stamford Hill and surrounding areas

Cats have been a part of my life for as long as I can remember; the first, an abandoned kitten, setting a pattern for the rest, who have all been rescued from one situation or another! So when my husband and I bought our first home together, I felt it wouldn’t be a real home without a cat and we adopted Cleo from the Cat Protection League (that’s her in the photo – she’s a bit camera-shy!). She now very kindly lets us share our home with her!

Working from home as a part-time, freelance desktop publisher means I have lots of free time and I look forward to making and caring for lots more furry friends.