Braving the Elements: How The Cat Butler Hornchurch Supported The Local Social

Community spirit was shining bright on Sunday, 7th June, as The Wheatsheaf pub in Romford hosted the very first 'The Local Social'. A brand-new concept for the area, this vibrant event brought together over 30 independent businesses, services, food stalls, and entertainment, giving residents a fantastic opportunity to shop local and network.

Clare Rowley, owner of The Cat Butler Hornchurch, was delighted to attend with a very special mission: to raise awareness and vital funds for A New Beginning Cat & Kitten Rescue, an incredible organization run entirely by deeply dedicated volunteers.

Braving the Elements for a Great Cause

The British weather did its absolute best to cause some standard outdoor event drama. With gusts trying their hardest to blow the gazebos straight into the next borough, the Romford community refused to let a bit of a breeze stop them!

To keep visitors engaged, whether they were cat owners or just looking to support a great cause, Clare set up a highly interactive stall filled with activities, including:

• A "Guess the Cat’s Name" game that proved to be a massive hit with both adults and children.

• A hands-on crafting station where creative kids (and the young at heart) could upcycle socks into their very own catnip toys.

• A boutique selection of cat-themed products, from novelty pens and sequined cat ear headbands to healthy feline treats, plus some Candy Kittens sweets for the humans!

The afternoon was filled with wonderful conversations, with local families and pub regulars stopping by to chat, share photos of their own pets, and learn about the benefits of premium, at-home cat sitting.

Making a Tangible Difference

Thanks to the wonderful generosity of everyone who stopped by, Clare successfully raised £50 directly for the rescue.

Every single penny will go toward supporting A New Beginning, an organization that recently celebrated its first anniversary as an independent rescue after operating for many years as a local Cats Protection branch. This specific donation is incredibly meaningful, as it completely covers the cost of neutering one of their newly taken-in rescue cats. This is a vital step in helping them manage the local cat population and preparing the feline to find its permanent, loving home.

"Having previously worked for the RSPCA, supporting local rescues is deeply rooted in my personal ethos, and it remains a core part of The Cat Butler’s mission," says Clare. "It was so rewarding to highlight the rescue's vital work to local residents and encourage our neighbors to consider fostering or adopting when they're ready to welcome a new cat into their lives."

A Huge Thank You to Romford

A heartfelt thank you goes out to everyone who braved the elements to show some love for our feline friends, to the organizers who worked tirelessly behind the scenes, and to The Wheatsheaf, 71 Club, and Events By Ellie for hosting such a fantastic community day.

If you would like to find out more about the rescue, view cats currently looking for homes, or discover how you can get involved, please visit the A New Beginning Cat & Kitten Rescue page on Cat Chat.

Clare is already looking forward to packing up the gazebo (and hoping for calmer weather!) for more community events across Hornchurch and Upminster this summer.

Looking for trusted, professional, and award-winning cat sitting services in and around Hornchurch and Upminster? Give your cat the royal treatment they deserve. Contact Clare today for more information.

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.