From Pharmaceuticals to Purrs - The Cat Butler Awards a New Franchise in North Wales and Chester

Introduction

At The Cat Butler, we love hearing stories from our dedicated franchisees about their unique journeys to joining our family. Today, we're excited to share Sarah's inspiring story. After a long career in the pharmaceutical industry, Sarah faced redundancy and discovered a new path filled with passion and purpose.

From raising a young family and exploring various roles, including her most recent role as a Volunteer Coordinator for Childline, Sarah found her calling with The Cat Butler. Her journey is a testament to the fulfilling career that cat care can offer. Let's dive into her story and see how she turned her love for cats into a business.

What Did Life Look Like Before You Joined The Cat Butler?

Sarah: "After working in the pharmaceutical industry for 16 years, I found myself facing redundancy in 2011. This turned out to be a blessing in disguise as it allowed me to focus on raising my young family. Over the years, I have taken on a variety of roles that accommodated my family life, such as working in retail, as a teaching assistant in a local high school, and handling customer service in a call centre."

"As my children grew older, I realised that I no longer wanted to return to the corporate world of pharmaceuticals. Instead, I discovered my passion for helping others and making a positive impact. Recently, I have been involved in charity work, where I managed a successful charity shop and collaborated with a dedicated team of volunteers as a Volunteer Coordinator for a national children's charity helpline."

Why Cat Sitting?

Sarah: "I grew up with cats in my household since I was born. I find them to be such intriguing creatures, each with their own distinct personality and behaviour. I appreciate the fact that you have to work to earn a cat's trust -  and when they purr happily, it's a clear sign that they approve of you.

"However, cats don't enjoy being taken out of their familiar home environment. In the past, I never considered sending my cats to a cattery, even though the staff there are amazing and caring, because I knew it would unsettle them and they would hate it. Instead, we had to rely on the kindness of friends and neighbours to come and feed them, which became awkward to ask every time we went away. If a service like The Cat Butler had existed back then, it would have made things so much easier. We could have gone away with peace of mind, knowing that our cats would be well taken care of and happy."

What Was It About The Cat Butler That Appealed to You?

Sarah: "When I first came across an advert for The Cat Butler on Facebook, it immediately caught my attention and I wasted no time in requesting the franchise brochure. As I delved into the brochure, my interest grew even more and I realised that I needed to explore the franchise opportunity in greater depth.

"Some people questioned why I couldn't just start my own business, but being self-employed was unfamiliar territory for me and I had no idea where to begin. The Cat Butler, however, offers a comprehensive package that allows you to focus on growing and managing your own business without having to start from scratch."

"The branding is spot-on, the website and online presence are comprehensive and professional, and Sandra, the franchisor, possesses extensive knowledge about every aspect of the business. Joining The Cat Butler team just made purr-fect sense to me."

Tell Us About Your Feline Family

Sarah: "A few years ago, our dear family pet, Humbug, passed away peacefully at the impressive age of 19. Humbug's journey began in a rather unconventional place - my stepson's underwear drawer. Throughout the years, Humbug gracefully accepted the arrival of our other children."

"Sadly, we haven't been able to welcome another feline into our home due to my mother-in-law's allergies and health issues. Despite her love for cats, we didn't want to risk her well-being. However, I find solace in spending time with my friend and her three adorable cats. Among them is Mittens, a stunning 16-year-old Persian cross, Treacle, a shy and charming Tuxedo, and the newest member of the family, the playful tabby kitten named Moomoo."

What Does The Future Hold? 

Sarah: "The Cat Butler Flint has a promising future ahead. I aim to expand my business quickly to establish it as the top choice for cat sitting services in the area, hiring more Butlers to keep up with the growing demand. My goal is to ensure that all my feline clients in Chester and North East Wales (Buckley and Mold, Deeside, Flint, Holywell, Prestatyn, Rhyl) are happy and content, allowing their owners to have peace of mind when they are away from home, knowing that their beloved pets are well taken care of in the familiar surroundings of their homes."

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.