Making more room for the cats and dogs that need Kirsty’s care
Animals have always been a big part of Kirsty’s life, and today that lifelong love is at the heart of the community interest company (CIC) she runs from her home, caring for dogs and cats in need. She’s lived in her home for more than 15 years and being able to work from there gives her the flexibility to continue doing something she loves while living with disabilities. As Kirsty simply puts it, “I love my house.”
As more animals needed Kirsty’s help, she found herself needing more space for the cats in her care. Foster homes were helping, but there simply weren’t enough. “We had foster homes, but we just didn’t have enough,” she explains. Kirsty got in touch with us about building a cattery in her garden, which would give her more room to care for cats from home.
Since then, the cattery has enabled Kirsty to rescue many more cats through her CIC, giving them somewhere safe to be cared for and allowing her to continue the work that means so much to her. “Since then, we’ve saved so many more animals and it’s made a massive difference to the rescue. Massive difference,” she says.
That difference is personal for Kirsty too. Having the cattery at home means she can continue working in a way that works for her, while staying close to the animals, she’s always loved. “It’s enabled me with my disabilities to be able to continue to help them, but it’s been able to help me myself as well.”
Kirsty spends much of her time caring for animals, but there have also been times when she’s needed support herself. When she became ill and wasn’t able to work, she contacted us and we were able to help her with what she needed at the time. Looking back, what stands out to Kirsty is that she felt heard: “They listened to me. They were very supportive.”
It’s that experience, alongside the support that has helped her continue her work from home, that has shaped how Kirsty sees her relationship with us after more than 15 years. “I wouldn’t say they’re just a landlord. They can be there to support you with everything that you need.”
For Kirsty, it means she can carry on doing what she loves from the place she loves, while more cats get the care they need. And sometimes, simply listening to what matters to someone can help make that possible.
