An early start for the team, just like everyday. 365 days a year we begin with feeding and cleaning of all the pens. It is also time to give any medication to the cats needing it, Tallulah’s pill must be crushed and disguised in her food, as she hates tablets!

We have just about finished cleaning, it takes us a lot longer during the summer months as we are inundated with messy kittens. If there are any home visits to be done this is the time, and one of the staff will go out in the van to do them.

The staff members now have time to spend with some shy/nervous cats before we open to the public. It is important to try and socialise them as best we can before they find themselves a home of their own. It’s also time for a quick cup of tea!

Now it’s off down the vets with Woody for a bandage change and to check how his leg is healing. He came in as a stray and was limping on a back leg, after an X-ray is was revealed he had a fracture and is now on cage rest to help it heal.

Open for visitors – will we home any cats today?

Time to check if the cats flea and worming are all up to date! Only a few to be done, but lots of paperwork to fill out afterwards, such as vet records and stock sheets!

A stray cat is brought in - a longhaired cat in poor condition. Her coat is so matted that combing through the knots is painful. Shaving the worst areas is the kindest treatment, and a good grooming routine from now on will help stop any more knots.

It is now lunchtime for any kittens, nursing mums, or elderly cats in need of fattening up. Polly, one of the residents, will make sure to remind you when she wants her lunch! If its not too busy the staff can grab their lunch too.

Visitors look around for a kitten but ours are too small to leave at the moment. We tell them to come back in a few weeks, or persuade them to take a look at some of our lovely older cats. Luckily this particular family do fall in love with one of our older boys, and we send them through to reception to fill out the appropriate paperwork. We book in their home visit for the following morning.

A cat arrives off of the waiting list, her previous owner has sadly gone into care and there was no one to look after her. After a quick health check by the staff, she is de-flea and wormed, and taken down to admissions to settle into her new house. She is a sweet girl and we are sure she wont be here for very long.

Now for the paperwork! We must sign the cat in on the computer, and print out lots of forms,ongst them a vet record sheet, an observation sheet and a door sheet with her details on.

Some more visitors are shown around the cattery and a suitable cat is discussed – they think they will come back. We haven’t got one they like - (only 50 cats to choose from).

It is time to change the litter trays and sort out the washing plus have another tidy round.

More visitors arrive with donations of food. That will be a nice treat for their tea tonight! We put it on the feeding trolley ready for later, and Freddie who is in the pen opposite the kitchen see’s it and thinks its dinner time already! Sorry Freddie, a little while to go yet!

Reception receives an emergency call - A Road Traffic Accident – so one of the staff rush out to collect the cat and dash to vets. The cat is in bad way and we hope it pulls through. Also Woody is ready to be collected, with a nice new bandage on his leg and some more medication.

The Centre is now closed to visitors and the staff has a bit of time to spend with some of the cats. Now is a perfect time to do some socialisation with Lola’s kittens, they were born outside so are wary of human contact, but are starting to come round slowly.

Its’s Tea time!! Much to Freddies excitement we wheel the trolley round to dish up all the food, he eats his super fast and then tries to pretend to the next person he didn’t get any! Luckily we are wise to him now, as he is a little portly!

Time to gather up any empty bowls for washing up, it doesn’t take them long to finish their food! After all the washing up is done we clean the kitchens, and then go and top up the water bowls in the pens. It is also time for the afternoons medication to be done, as most courses of tablets must be done twice a day.

The staff go and check the litter trays again and make sure the cattery is tidy, and any washing is put away. With so many cats there are lots of blankets to be washed! Any odd jobs are finished off. A last walk round to make sure all the cats are ok, and check on the new cat in. She’s still a bit quiet, but eats her dinner with a bit of persuasion.

The cats settle down for the evening and the staff go home. Ready to start again in the morning!
The answer-phone is put on to take any out of hours calls but for the on-site manager the job is never-ending.
The cats have a last check and fuss over before bedtime and any emergency calls taken in the evening are returned.
Our jobs are a vocation and you must be dedicated to the cats. Each day is a challenge and its knowing you’re making a difference that makes the job worthwhile.