Mad Cat Ladies
	Ever wondered who did what and how things were achieved? Well here is a list of our volunteers-in-chief and a bit about what they do! More photos of the ladies and their feline friends can be found in the Photo Gallery.   Click on Murdock's head to read a message from Jacqui, our co-ordinator.   Contact List

Alison - Membership Secretary

Carol - Sponsorship Secretary
	My name is Carol and I'm married to Ian. We have two children: Emma, who also helps at events, and Michael. As well as being the Sponsorship secretary, I have also organised our quiz evenings and events in Upminster. I also fundraise at some smaller events. I have 9 cats, all rescues, a rabbit (rescued) and 2 goldfish, a legacy from my mother-in-law! Carol Whaley Carol at the Open Day in May 2005

Chris - Publicity Officer

Frances - Treasurer
	I think I got elected Treasurer on account of my tenacity (bullying?) in selling raffle tickets at the Open Days! I have one cat who will be six years old next month and her name is 'Ella. The apostrophe shows it is an abbreviation of Cinderella. Frances Reeves   Frances   'Ella

Jacqui - Co-ordinator

I have three cats of my own - all rescued: Mo, who is a very overweight 10 year old tabby; Wolfie, who's black and a real bully; and my little tortoise-shell Ella, who's completely mad. Wolfie and Ella are both nearly nine years old. They rule the roost: Ella sleeps on my feet and Mo sleeps on my head. Wolfie likes to terrorise the neighborhood cats and spends a lot of time at the vets!! I'm not experienced with cats like Jennie and Jane. I can't yet tell the difference between boys and girls (that's cats, NOT people), but practice with the kittens! I tie up the loose ends, mediate, try to keep everyone up to date (the hardest part), smack people when they are naughty (but gently - I'm not a complete ogre) and do a bit of everything. I organize the fundraising events, print and distribute flyers, do vet runs, collect bric a brac and send out the newsletter. I also give presentations to groups such as the cubs and women's groups. These always go down well as Murdock the handicapped Persian comes with me. He is always a great ambassador and loved by all. As I work shifts I can't attend all the events, but can do more during the week when most people are at work. Big purrs and wet kisses- Jacqui Duly   Jacqui and Mo   Mo       Ella Wolfie

Jennie - Rehoming

When it comes to cats, all animals and people in need (but especially cats) my heart is as big as my belly! A vegetarian who loves food, give me some really tasty cheese, crusty bread and butter, a glass of red wine (cheap is all I am used to as that's all I can afford) and I'm like a pig in you know what. I have been rescuing cats for over thirty years, the last 20 or so here at my home PussyCat Lodge. Of the many cats that came to visit, some have ended up staying: mainly feral or cats I was unable to home due to various reasons. They have all been treated as my own: loved, pampered and allowed to live their lives as they wish, clear for all to see how happy they are. Over the years they have had to contend with a variety of other pets including rabbits, dogs (a Lurcher and a Great Dane), snakes, gerbils and chickens to name just a few ... Now there are just chickens and gerbils. The Gerbils make great feline TV!! I promise they have a very secure, cat proof home! Find out more about me by visiting How It Began. Jennie Hurley Jennie with great-grand-daughter Jennifer

Lauren G - Feral Cats

I first became involved in cat rescue in 1989, two years after arriving in England from New Zealand, as a way to make friends. I soon became hooked, however, and ten years later helped to create PussyCat Lodge Trust.  I also soon met a best friend through rehoming two cats. Although I love all animals, especially cats, I have always had a special fondness for oldies and ferals. I involve myself in most cat rescue activities, including fostering, but my specialty is re-homing feral cats into stables, no matter how far I have to travel. Stables make perfect homes for cats as they get two meals a day, a warm place to sleep and all the freedom they want. Oldies make wonderful companions. If you would like to offer a home to a feral or an oldie please contact me on 01708 378 452 or 07956 301 378. Lauren Grace    Lauren and Spatz minor   Lauren (21+) and Edie (15+)

Nicola - Newsletter Editor

I was a member of Cats' Protection and saw an article in one of their quarterly magazines asking for people to join the Dagenham, Havering & Redbridge branch (as it was known then). I went to fundraising events and met a few people and particularly enjoyed receiving the branch newsletters and reading about the various cats. In the meantime I acquired my first cat since leaving my parents home (from PussyCat Lodge of-course!). When Kathryn had to give up producing the newsletter I volunteered to help and my first newsletter was Spring 1999. Later that year, PussyCat Lodge set up on their own. Luckily, Lauren Grace had a note of my email address and contacted me to ask if I could help with a newsletter. Of-course I said yes and the first newsletter was produced for Autumn/Winter 1999. I currently have Maisie, a black and white bundle of attitude (from PussyCat Lodge), whom I adore, despite her being cheeky and manipulative. My husband is very tolerant of her despite the fact that she is inclined to play up when she doesn't get her own way. We are expecting our first child in September, so my husband has had to take on litter tray duty and will be devoting as much time as possible to the cat so she doesn't feel left out. It is good to be part of a group of fellow cat lovers who are just as keen on cats as I am and where nobody thinks I am mad (unlike my work colleagues and friends - and my husband!). Nicola Sharp