Sharron Fairweather

I've had dogs all of my life until I got my first cat 4 years ago when my elderly dogs passed away. I've always had great compassion and love for all animals and discovering the desperate situation cat rescues are in with so many unwanted, abandoned and poorly cats and kittens in rescue and so many waiting for a safe place, I just had to help however I could. This includes fostering cats and kittens in my spare bedroom until they are ready for their very own forever home and the continuous fundraising needed for the many costs this entails. I'm so happy to be a part of East Lancashire Cat Rescue. They are an amazing team of caring, friendly and dedicated people who together endeavour to help as many cats in need as possible.

Lynne Norris

From as far back as I can remember animal welfare has always been my priority, alongside the twenty-six years I worked in Insurance. I took and passed my Level 3 City and Guilds in dog grooming which I carried out in the evenings and weekends. Several years ago, redundancies were made at the insurance company, and I could then concentrate on dog grooming as my profession. As time went on several people asked if I would groom their cats. The cat grooming clients grew, and I found I was really enjoying meeting all the different ones. Two years ago, I decided to retire from dog grooming but continue to groom cats at home, which I really enjoy. As I had a spare room and more time after retirement, I contacted Andy at East Lancashire Cats to enquire about fostering for him, after a chat and learning more about the process, I was delighted to be accepted and foster my first cat over a year ago. Since then, I have become a committee member and am part of the management team. I have fostered cats and kittens and absolutely love it. Each cat has a different story and I feel honoured to help these cats prepare for adoption to their new loving homes. I hope I can continue fostering for many years to come as it gives me so much satisfaction.

Andrea Lee

I have over 25 years animal care experience and have a degree in animal welfare which I took later in life. Soon after taking my qualification, I spent several years as an instructor and lecturer in animal care at Myerscough college teaching students both practical skills and theory-based modules. During this time, I worked with an array of animals that included fish, dogs, cats, rodents, birds, donkeys, and reptiles and many more. I also became a qualified NVQ assessor in animal care during this period. After leaving teaching I spent some time working in the field with the RSPCA as an animal collection officer rescuing sick and injured wild and pet animals within a large area that covered from Preston to the borders of Scotland. After setting up my own dog walking and cat sitting business, I decided to volunteer for Cats Protection which I did for around 12 years becoming the local branch volunteer homing officer as well as a fosterer. Volunteering became a huge passion and I felt it was something that I just couldn’t give up. After the local CP branch disbanded, I started my journey with East Lancashire Cats where my passion for cat welfare continues. I am completely dedicated to achieving high cat welfare standards for all the cats that come into care of ELC and committed to taking the rescue forward with the help of a great team and the support of all of our followers.

Mary Wishart

I have always had cats in my life from a young girl growing up, and my passion has continued. So over six years ago i decided to follow my passion and become a fosterer. I have worked for a few rescues in the past, and now foster for East Lancashire Cats, which has a very dedicated team. To me, foster cats beat all the odds and some sadly don’t, we do have difficult emotional situations and I am learning to take the good with bad times, but it is not easy. But the time patience and dedication are very rewarding, as we have cats that need special care and rehabilitation. For a big animal lover like myself it’s one of the most rewarding jobs I can do, and I am very lucky to be playing a part of East Lancashire Cats Rescue.

Wendy Cavanagh

Hi, my name is Wendy I am retired housewife, mum of three (all now left home). One very, very, large dog and two cats, and am now happily filling my house with two more. Thanks to the help of East Lancashire Cats. I get so much pride and pleasure out of my role as foster mum, its fantastic to be involved in something so worth while and so much fun. To see timid animals grow in confidence and go on to find wonderful new homes, is an amazing experience, that I will never tire of doing.

Karen Atherton

New to the team in July 2024, I have just returned to the UK to retire along with our 2 boisterous 4 year old cats. . I have had cats prior to living abroad and then picked up a Bishon Frise in China who travelled with us to Vietnam and Germany and back to the UK, in Germany we acquired Pixie and Trixe from a farm at 8 weeks and they have been part of the family ever since. We now have a fish tank and Trixie sits with me watching their adventures. After seeing the great work the team does, I wanted to help and support how I could.

Sue Hardman

Helen Wood

Kate

Linda Molly

Val