Kirsty Walker with Pango

Kirsty Walker, Head of Cattery is one of the busy members of staff at Battersea Dogs and Cats home, who is on hand to ensure that cats taken into their care have the best possible experience before rehoming.

There can be up to 140 cats at Battersea, with each having an individual pen. The cattery takes in a number of breed cats.

Cats are carefully assessed upon entry. Overgrooming problems are common and some cats can have problems with aggression. Rehoming, however, is very successful.

39-year-old Kirsty, from Kingston-upon-Thames, has been with Battersea for 18 years and was originally a florist.

'I've always loved animals but wanted a different direction. I started off as a kennel hand and for the last five years I have concentrated on cats."

"A percentage of the cats coming into the shelter are there simply because of a change in circumstance has forced the owner to give up their pet. However, some have been badly treated, or were strays, and it is these cats that need the most work."

"We take in cats from prisoners who’ve had to say good bye to the pet as well as those whose owners have had to go into hospital, as well as from owners who’ve passed away."

"The assessment of the cat takes up a case of building up a picture of the cat, for instance, if it’s intolerant then we realise it’s not going to work as a pet with a family with children. We also practice Tellington Touch on the cats to calm the cats, bringing the cat’s heart rate down."

"My time is spent dealing with other fosterers and contacting other organisations. We also exchange behaviour awareness with other organisations."

"At Battersea Dogs and Cats Home, we are constantly working to improve the facilities and the care we provide, and there have been many changes over the years."

"There has been a huge turnaround recently with big improvements in behaviour awareness. We have six assessors on site, three who deal with rehoming, two who deal with cat behaviour and one who works in the cattery."

"It's rewarding working at Battersea and there have been lots of success stories!"

If your cat is displaying behaviour problems, Battersea offer an advice line for all cat owners, not just ex-Battersea cats, on 0905 0200222.

(Calls cost 25p per minute from a BT landline, other networks may vary. Lines are open from 12pm to 5pm, Monday to Friday with messages taken at other times)