Twinkle shows why black cats deserve more, says Preston cat sitter

"The best part is how rewarding it is seeing cats trust and bond with you, often to the surprise of their owners."

Andrea Hardman swapped a 30-year career in retail to become a cat sitter, and to mark National Black Cat Day she has been talking about Twinkle, a black cat with very firm ideas about playtime.

The 52-year-old, from Bamber Bridge, owns My Three Cats Preston & South Ribble, which she set up in April this year to care for cats in their own homes across the area.

Six months on, the business already has 45 clients, many of whom rebook each time they go away, and every review so far has been five stars.

She was inspired to start after years of working away from home as a freelance visual merchandiser.

"I knew how awful it can feel leaving your cats," she said.

"I felt I could give the high standard of service needed to look after other people's cats."

She also wanted work that kept her closer to home, where she helps to support her elderly parents.

Twinkle lives with Bridget, who is also mostly black, and between them they have plenty of toys.

"Twinkle tells me exactly which toy she wants," Andrea said. "She paws at it and meows until I get the message."

When they are not playing, the pair like to sit at the glass doors and watch the pigeons in the garden.

Cats Protection started National Black Cat Day, held on 27 October, because black cats often wait longer than other cats to find a home.

Wendy Thomson Melling, who founded the My Three Cats group, said black cats deserved far better.

"The traditional belief that black cats are bad luck is completely untrue," she said. "Black cats are some of the most loving and loyal cats you'll ever meet.

"It's very sad that so many of them are overlooked. Across the group we care for hundreds of wonderful black cats, and every one of them deserves a loving home."

Not every cat Andrea meets is as confident as Twinkle.

Bella, a nervous cat she looked after, would at first only hide under a blanket.

"A few days in, she was playing ball with me and batting the balls back down to me on the stairs," Andrea said.

"I have moments like that all the time, when you see the progress and the trust you gain with a cat that's very nervous."

That is not to say the work is always straightforward.

When one client's elderly mother was rushed into hospital, leaving three cats with complex care needs, Andrea was able to step in the very next day.

"Sometimes you just need to drop everything to help out," she said. "But that's what I love about working for myself. I can be flexible, and I'll always find a way to be there for cats that need me."

Every cat is an individual

Andrea also volunteers for A Purrfect Friend, a small cat rescue charity in Preston.

And she supports Cats Deserve More, the campaign started by the wider My Three Cats group, which calls for cats' needs to be taken as seriously as dogs'.

"Every cat is an individual, with their own personality, feelings and needs," Andrea said.

"Some are confident and affectionate, while others need more time to feel safe.

"They all deserve the chance to be understood, respected and loved for who they are."

Cat owners in Preston and South Ribble can find out more by emailing [email protected] or visiting preston.mythreecats.co.uk