Crafting for a Cause: Spreading Festive Cheer for Cats in Need

This festive season, the local community saw a heartwarming collaboration that highlighted the power of kindness and teamwork. Our Rossendale franchisee, Phil Carter, a dedicated advocate for feline welfare and an active member of the local cat community, played a pivotal role in spreading festive cheer while supporting cats in need.

Aileen Lockhart, a talented craftswoman from Haslingden, turned her passion for creating beautiful handmade wreaths into a fundraising effort for English Barn Cats Rescue in Lancashire. Aileen, who shares her home with her two much-loved rescue cats, Sox (14) and Mouse (18), generously offered her skills to create stunning Christmas wreaths to raise funds and awareness for the rescue.

Phil Carter, an admin in the same local community cat group where Aileen promoted her wreaths, stepped in to help make this initiative a success. Not only did he collect these festive creations from Aileen, but he also delivered them to their new owners, ensuring they brought smiles to their recipients while contributing to a noble cause.

In the spirit of the season, Phil went a step further by personally delivering a couple of Aileen’s beautiful wreaths to Bleakholt Animal Sanctuary, where they will be displayed in the cat section. This thoughtful gesture provided a festive touch for the sanctuary cats and raised awareness of their need for loving homes.

Phil’s dedication didn’t stop there. This year, instead of the usual holiday cards for his clients, Phil collected and redirected festive greetings to benefit Bleakholt Animal Sanctuary. By doing so, he combined the joy of giving with the goal of supporting animal welfare.

Aileen’s handcrafted wreaths and Phil’s delivery efforts are a shining example of what can be achieved when communities come together. Every wreath purchased not only brings festive cheer but also provides vital support to rescue cats.

For those inspired by Aileen’s story and eager to contribute, her handcrafted wreaths are still available through English Barn Cats Rescue’s page. Each purchase makes a direct impact, helping provide care and resources to cats who need it most.

Together, Aileen, Phil, and the community have shown that small acts of kindness can make a big difference, especially for our furry friends.

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.