A Cat Butler at Dogstival: Supporting The Cinnamon Trust

At The Cat Butler, we care deeply about pets and their people — and that compassion doesn’t stop at the feline kind. One of our newest franchisees, Alex Booth, who covers Bournemouth and the surrounding areas, recently spent the weekend supporting The Cinnamon Trust at Dogstival 2025 — and came away even more inspired by their mission.

Lending a Paw at Dogstival

Held on the 31st May and 1st June in Burley, in the heart of the New Forest, Dogstival is a fun-packed celebration of all things canine. Among the bustling stalls and wagging tails, Alex proudly volunteered on behalf of The Cinnamon Trust, a national charity that supports elderly and terminally ill people in caring for their beloved pets.

I’ve been a volunteer for The Cinnamon Trust since 2021,” says Alex. “Every weekend, I walk a lovely Jack Russell named Jim, whose owner is no longer able to manage walks. It’s something I truly enjoy — and I see how much it means to both Jim and his owner."

A Charity That Truly Cares

The Cinnamon Trust has a wide-reaching network of animal-loving volunteers who help with everything from dog walking and feeding to vet visits and emergency fostering. For pets who outlive their owners, the charity even has two “home from home” sanctuaries — and yes, one of them includes resident llamas!

During Dogstival, Alex spent the day speaking to pet lovers about the charity’s work, sharing her story, and encouraging others to consider volunteering.

It was inspiring,” Alex recalls. “Caitlin and Marnie from the charity were incredibly passionate and knowledgeable, especially when talking with older visitors about how The Cinnamon Trust could help them plan for their pets’ future."

And of course, there were plenty of dog cuddles throughout the day!

Planning for Pets’ Futures

The experience reinforced Alex’s commitment to supporting this fantastic charity. It’s something we admire deeply here at The Cat Butler — and we encourage anyone with elderly friends or relatives who own pets to explore the support available.

Learn more at www.cinnamon.org.uk

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.