Kelly and Willow

1. What made you get Willow in the first place?

I grew up with cats in our house so always knew I wanted pets when I got my own place. Willow was a stray that was brought in to our surgery when I used to work in a vet practice. I immediately fell in love, my husband took a bit of convincing but  it wasn’t long before Willow had found her forever home with us.

2. Why did you choose this breed?

We didn’t! I just fell immediately in love with her and knew that we had to give her a happy home. But my childhood cat was a moggie as well so we know what to expect.

3. What is the most rewarding thing you have found about owning a pet?

That feeling of unconditional love. Particularly over the course of the pandemic we’ve lost a lot of time socialising and although it’s not the same the love and company of Willow – even if she’s just snoozing – is incredible. She’s one of the family.

4. Have you encountered any problems (illnesses, behavioural, social) with Trixie?

As a stray when we first took her in she needed to be given a healthcheck and booster vaccinations, but there was nothing physical that was wrong. Emotionally she was quite wary and timid perhaps caused by her experience.

She’s well settled now and we haven’t had to use any professional pet behavioural support, but it’s good to know that our insurance is there to support this (as well as other conditions) if needed.

5. What is your top tip for people thinking about adding a pet to their family?

Definitely think about adopting a stray cat or rehoming a rescue cat as a first thought.

6. Do you have any funny stories to share with us about Willow?

She has always been a fairly relaxed cat and takes everything in her stride, but when we welcomed our two rabbits, she took a while to get used to sharing her home with them and used to walk very tentatively and close to the ground whenever they were around, but thankfully she’s now their best friend and often sits and sleeps outside their hutch in the garden.