Feline Fashionista Turns Entrepreneur: Jane's The Cat Butler Business Thrives!

Introduction

Jane (57) who recently walked away from a 36-year career in fashion is now spending her days visiting cats in their own homes in Borehamwood and Elstree, Radlett, Watford, Bushey, Abbots Langley, Kings Langley, Rickmansworth and the surrounding areas in South Hertfordshire.

I Couldn't Be Happier!

She said: “I can’t quite believe it; my business has literally exploded and I couldn’t be happier. Making the change from a full-time career travelling all over the world to owning my own business is simply the best thing I’ve ever done. I pride myself on giving a premium service to the cats in my care and exceptional customer service to their owners.”

The Cat Butler recognises that cats are generally happier in their own homes, rather than going into a cattery when their owners are away. In a completely flexible business model, Jane can tailor a package to suit her clients with anything from one to three visits a day for feeding, litter tray cleaning, giving medication and injections and of course, lots of cuddles and tummy rubs. A light security service comes as part of the package opening including opening and closing curtains, watering plants, putting bins out and checking for leaks/attempted break-ins at the property.

Jane, who drives a fully liveried Cat Butler car is fully insured and is qualified in cat first aid.

Jane says: “My clients aren’t the fabulously wealthy, but they are fabulously caring. Their first question isn’t ‘how much will it cost’ but ‘how will you care for my cat’ and that’s the kind of clients I like, where the health and welfare of the cat comes above everything else.”

Marketing

Jane has been marketing her new business in a multitude of ways, through Google search, putting leaflets around town and via social media, and joining many local groups to build brand awareness.  In May she took a stall at an event in King George Park, Bushey, where she met lots of cat owners who have since gone on to become clients.

Talking about the event Jane said: “It was such a lovely day in the park that weekend. It was great to meet lots of local cat owners who were really interested in the service I was offering. I even had a vet asking for a handful of leaflets to hand out to her clients which was very gratifying.”

The BEST Clients Ever!

Talking about her feline clients Jane said: “I am loving forming bonds with so many gorgeous kitties in the area too. Currently I’m looking after a Turkish Van, a Ragdoll, a hairless Sphynx kitten, a Bengal and a Main Coon. Grooming comes as part of the Cat Butler service for all cats and I have one tiny cat, a really lovely old lady who just adores being brushed; being a British Short Haired cat by rights she doesn’t need much grooming, but I still sit and brush her for ages, simply because she loves it so much. That’s the Cat Butler difference.”

Expanding The Team

Looking to the near future Jane says she will begin looking to recruit staff members to help her with her growing business in the autumn. “Let me just get over this first summer then in the autumn, before the October half term and Christmas holiday rushes, I’ll try to find a like-minded soul who loves cats and would like to spend their days visiting gorgeous kitties in their own homes while their owners are away, so we can offer the Cat Butler service to more local cats and their owners.”

The Cat Butler Franchise

If you would like more information on becoming a franchisee with the Cat Butler, fill in our short form below to request a brochure and learn more about our unique cat sitting franchise opportunity. Our franchise brochure gives you plenty of industry insights and, in particular, a useful comparison between joining a franchise or going it alone.

Sandra James

Owner & Founder

The Cat Butler was set up by Sandra James in recognition of the fact that a stay in a cattery can be unsettling for many cats and also their owners.