Twin Sisters Awarded The Cat Butler Franchise in Derby
Twin sisters, Clare Smith and Joanne Campbell spent 22 years in primary school education before becoming the owners of The Cat Butler Derby in July 2023
Added on: 23 Jul, 2023Last Edited: 23 Feb, 2025Posted by: Sandra James4 min read (656 words)
In this article:
Introduction
The twins, who were born and brought up in Derbyshire are both primary school teachers and passionate cat owners. The Cat Butler Derby will provide a feline-friendly alternative to catteries for local cats with Clare and Joanne visiting cats in their own homes up to three times a day while their owners are on holiday or travelling.
Clare Smith and Joanne Campbell - The Cat Butler Derby Franchisees
Career Change
Joanne said: “Clare and I are 52 now and although we’ve loved our careers, neither of us thought we would be teachers forever, so when The Cat Butler Franchise opportunity came along we know this was our destiny! As someone who has had to leave my cat multiple times when I returned to the UK, I know just how hard it is to put your cat in a cattery when you go away. Clare and I are thrilled that we will now be able to help keep cats, happy and healthy in their own homes with our premium Cat Butler service.”
From Chalkboards to Cat Care!
Clare said: “Whilst some cats are happy in a cattery, most cat owners would probably agree that their cats are happiest at home, following their usual routine, lying in their favourite sunny spot and walking around their own garden. The Cat Butler is a premium cat visiting service which means we visit our client’s house up to three times a day, to feed, clean out the litter tray and most importantly, to have lots of cuddles and playtime with the cat. For poorly cats we are qualified to administer medication including insulin injections and can offer daily grooming if required; all the services one would expect of one’s own Butler.”
Joanne said: “Alongside the cat care duties we will also be offering a light touch security service, checking over the home, making sure there are no signs of leaks or break-ins, watering plants, putting the bins in and out and opening and closing windows to give the house an occupied feel while the owners are away.”
Jo & Clare with Jo's kitty Pearl
Feline Family
The twins are well versed in pampering cats, as they own three between them, Molly the Ragdoll (8 years old), Bluebell a Maine Coon Cross (6 years old) and Pearl a Russian Blue (12 years old). Pearl was flown back to the UK from Dubai and driven, like royalty, by taxi to her new home in Derby.
Cat Sitting Business Partners
The sisters have yet to decide how they will divide up the labours on their daily visits: Claire said: “One of us will be on litter trays and the other will be on cuddles and playtime but we’ll swap around regularly and the great thing is, if one of us is sick there’s always the other one to carry on, so owners have the added insurance of knowing somebody will always be there. Although we won’t be serving their dinner on silver trays, we will most certainly be ‘cat’ering to their every whim.”
Clare and Joanne will be launching The Cat Butler Derby on 24th July 2023 and serving feline customers in Derby, Ilkeston, Belper, Ripley and Heanor.
Cat Butler Cat Sitting Our professional cat sitting services are delivered by trained and vetted cat experts in the comfort of your cat’s own home, helping us to make sure that they are happy and safe while you are away.Home Care & Security We are more than just cat sitters. While you’re away, The Cat Butler team is here to make sure that your home is also safe and looked after.The Cat Butler Process We offer a free meeting to get to know your cat and to discuss their routine and care requirements.
Cats are happier at home
