I’m Katherine Walpole and I love animals of all shapes and sizes, furry, feathery and scaly! I live in East Leake with my husband and two cats. I enjoy running, walking, yoga, theatre and cinema, I have my own allotment and am learning to speak Spanish!

I’ve had pets all my life: a pony, dogs, numerous cats, rabbits, hamsters and fish. As a teenager I volunteered at the RSPCA Animal Shelter in Radcliffe-on-Trent and I’m a home visitor for potential adoptees for the RSPCA to this day. Doing this, I have learnt so much about different species of animals, not only about feeding and general care but also about showing animals respect, kindness and patience.

I have worked with local hedgehog rescue centres to provide a refuge and release site at home for hedgehogs. They really struggle with loss of habitat, poisons and injury from gardening equipment and need all the help they can get to increase their numbers again.

I have recently completed a dog first-aid training course (Emergency Canine Care), on which I learned to perform CPR, clear blocked airways and to deal with other emergency situations.

I’ve been working as a Registrar of Births, Deaths and Marriages/Area Manager for over 10 years and have decided its time to go back to where I started and do something I’m really passionate about - caring for animals!