Tell me a little about you – I previously worked in the City and left in 2015 to pursue an interest in volcanoes; after completing a Masters in Geoscience I am now part-way through my PhD, researching how seismic waves are affected when they pass through volcanic magma chambers. The hope is that understanding this will help us to use seismicity to detect and monitor volcanoes beneath the surface.
When I’m not working on my research or helping with RSPCA branch activities, I enjoy reading and crafts such as embroidery and making clothes- but most of my spare time is spent fussing over our two cats, Margot and Ted (both rescues of course!).
How long have you been an RSPCA trustee? I joined the Balham and Tooting Branch as a Trustee in 2018, not long after adopting two cats from them at the end of 2017.
As a trustee, what are your responsibilities? Prior to the merger between the Balham & Tooting and Croydon & Crystal Palace branches I was Secretary for the Balham and Tooting Branch, which involved staying on top of the administrative business of the Branch, coordinating our activities and meetings.
I was also tasked with adding the cats in our care to the RSPCA website once they were ready for adoption- I really enjoyed writing the descriptions to show off all their wonderful personalities and quirks! Post-merger, I’m looking forward to getting involved in helping our new expanded South London Branch develop.
Why did you become a trustee of RSPCA? When adopting our cats from the RSPCA, I saw how passionate the volunteers were in doing their best for the animals that came into their care, and that made me want to get involved. It’s a nice feeling to do something to help improve the life of another being, animal or human.
Do you have a message for our followers/supporters/volunteers? Thank you for all the support, especially over the last two years which have been so difficult for everyone. Being involved in the RSPCA means you can come across some devastating stories of animal mistreatment, so knowing that there are lots of people out there who care and offer help and support means everything.
What is your favourite domestic and favourite British wild animal, and why? My favourite domestic animal has to be my two cats, as they are so entertaining. I’m also very fond of the beautiful foxes that live around us and love seeing them exploring (and sometimes napping in) the garden. Follow this LINK for RSPCA advice about foxes.
Do you have an amusing/heart-warming animal related anecdote, story or joke that you can share? Well, it would have to involve my cats! I’m very proud of Margot; when we first adopted her she was really scared of people and in fact we didn’t even see her when we visited the cattery as she completely hid!
She had bonded closely with another cat in the centre and so we adopted them together. It took a long time and lots of work to earn her trust, but now she is the sweetest girl with the loudest purr, who runs to us for strokes and tummy rubs and it makes us so happy to see how far she has come.
We are also greatly entertained by a cat who lives a few houses away; he has become best friends with our cats, and every morning calls round for them. They all go off into the garden together to play and it always makes me chuckle!
And for a joke: Why is the Earth not flat? Because if it was, cats would have pushed everything off it by now.
RSPCA South London 