Katz At Home

31/10/2026

Remember a few weeks ago I posted about a customer's cat going missing in Epping. After 5 long weeks she was finally found. 👏 She was very poorly but is now recovering well. We are all so pleased for Gizmo and her family. 😻❤️🐾❤️

We would like to share an incredible story of our brave feline patient, Gizmo 😺

One afternoon, Gizmo didn’t come home from her usual stroll, which was very unlike her. Her owners began searching straight away. Days turned into weeks with no sign of her, but they never gave up. Our followers in the Epping area may remember the posters appealing for her return around the town.

Five weeks after she went missing, Gizmo was found collapsed in a garden just a few houses from her home. Her owners rushed her to our hospital, where our emergency team found her emaciated, dehydrated, and having lost 50% of her body weight. She was also blind and unable to coordinate her movements, though there were no signs of trauma.

Our vets and nurses suspected she had spent a prolonged period without access to food or water, and that this had led to neurological dysfunction caused by thiamine (vitamin B1) deficiency.

What is thiamine deficiency?
Vitamin B1 is vital for normal brain function in cats. When it runs low, for example during prolonged starvation, a cat can develop serious and sometimes fatal brain injury.

Gizmo received intensive care, including rehydration, electrolyte supplementation, and vitamin B1 supplementation. Feeding her was another challenge. She was ravenous, but we could only offer very small, carefully calculated portions. Cats that have been starved for a long time can develop refeeding syndrome if they eat too quickly, which can be life-threatening in itself.
Throughout her hospital stay, her owners visited her every day, and their determination was extraordinary. Despite her blindness, whenever Gizmo heard them arrive, she would meow and purr loudly, then cuddle into their arms, kneading happily.

We’re delighted to share that Gizmo went home recently. Her vision and balance have returned, and she’s almost back to her normal cheeky self, although her full recovery will continue for several weeks.

We’re so proud to have played a part in Gizmo’s recovery and to have worked alongside her loving, devoted owners.

Gizmo, you left paw prints on our hearts! 🐾❤️

22/10/2026

This beautiful cat is Jynx. Unfortunately she is looking for a new home. She is 5 years old and great with cat friendly dogs. She is spayed and up to date with flea/worm treatment. She is mostly an indoor cat as she is quite nervous about going outside. She has not lived with other cats and would appreciate all the attention to herself. 😻 If you can offer her a wonderful home please get in touch. And please share onwards if you can't. Thank you! ❤️🐾❤️

02/09/2026

** FOUND 😁** A customer of ours missing from Tower Road, Epping. Please keep an eye out. 😻

23/08/2026

🐾 VACANCY FILLED 🐾

We are looking for a part time person to support Eve and myself, and to cover holiday absences for the team. It would be on an ad hoc basis depending on how busy we are, as we have busy and quiet periods. We are extremely busy when the kids are off school, and it slows down when they go back, but then our customers without children go away; there are rarely any days without some bookings. Weekends are always busier than during the week.

Eve and I rarely have time off but we would like to introduce set days off for us both; Katz at Home is now in its 20th year and we're not getting any younger!

We are looking for someone extremely trustworthy and reliable, who is committed to providing the best possible care for the cats they visit. Attention to detail and following instructions is essential. It is quite a physical job, but there is more to it than just filling a bowl and cleaning out a litter tray; a strong level of common sense is required and the ability to handle any unexpected situations if they crop up. Our customers' homes are under our care whilst they are away and must remain secure at all times, so confidence dealing with various alarm systems and security cameras is needed. Teamwork is essential as the 4 of us hand over to each other constantly so we are always up to date on each individual job.

A love for, and general knowledge of, cats is obviously needed, but full training will be given regarding cat behaviour and how to notice that something may be wrong. Not all cats are soppy lapcats and being able to work with our more feisty customers is a necessity, though you would always have backup at all times, either in person or on the phone.

This job is best suited to someone who has an income already that they are looking to boost, as the level of income earned will change each week. The hours would mostly be in the afternoons from 4pm onwards, but flexibility to occasionally do some morning visits when needed would be appreciated. You would need to have no young children or grandchildren, and not go on holiday during Easter, July, August, September and Christmas time. You will also need your own car and live close to Loughton/Theydon/Buckhurst Hill.

In return you get to spend time with some beautiful cats of all different colours and sizes; I think we have practically every breed on our books. 🐈‍⬛🐈

We would like someone to start as soon as possible so if you are interested in applying please WhatsApp Sue on 07958 764883. 🐾😻🐾

11/08/2026

* NEW HOME FOUND * ❤️

A friend of mine is sadly needing to rehome her 2 cats due to a change in circumstances. They are 2 females aged 6 and 9, and she would like them to stay together if possible.

She has had Bambi, the 9 year old, since she was 7 months old. She's shy at first but once she knows you she'll whack you in the face for strokes. And she shouts at you for attention. 😂

She's had Sandy, the 6 year old, since she was 5 weeks old. She's also shy at first but so affectionate. She likes nothing more than sleeping on your chest. She also loves being groomed; the moment the brush comes out she's there.

She would like them both to go to a home where they are free to chill on the sofa and get attention when they ask for it. They like the quiet life. They've always been indoor cats but would happily go outside if it's a safe street.

They currently live with dogs and are confident around them, and will put the dogs in their place if too much. So will be fine with cat friendly dogs, but not great with other cats.

They are super healthy, neutered and up to date with flea and worm treatments.

If you know someone looking for a beautiful pair of laid back cats please share onwards. Please contact me in the first instance and I will pass the details on to their owner.

Thank you! 😻🐾❤️🐾

08/08/2026

Today is International Cat Day! Here's one of mine, Hobson, sleeping in the garden. Show us photos of yours 😻🐾❤️🐾

29/07/2026

😂😻

25/07/2026

Hi everyone. 👋 Well our busy summer has kicked off already with our number of visits more than doubling overnight! 🐈🐈‍⬛🐈🐈‍⬛🐈🐈‍⬛🐈🐈‍⬛🐈🐈‍⬛🐈🐈‍⬛

We thought we'd do a little reminder/checklist of things which help us out a lot when we're rushed off our feet.

🐾 Please leave plenty of cat litter and food consistent with the length of your booking. We have lots of 2, 3 or 4 week bookings and it's a great relief to not have to worry about running out of anything. 🙏

🐾 Please leave spare batteries for catflaps and feeders, and check both are working properly before you leave.

🐾 We all know our precious darlings love throwing up at totally random moments; they also love bringing us presents to show their appreciation. 🐭 With this in mind please leave out suitable cleaning materials, especially kitchen roll which is our fav go to for clearing up. It really helps us leave your home as clean as you left it.

🐾 While this hot weather is sapping all our energy, 🥵 please close as many blinds and curtains as you can before you go. Once all the doors and windows are closed 24/7 whilst you're away, your house quickly heats up, with no way of us letting it out again. If you close them before you leave it gives us a headstart before we come in; we always close them if we can. Always make sure your cat has somewhere cool to hang out in, if not allowed outside.

🐾 Watering plants! Our biggest dread. 🙈 We know an awful lot about cats, not so much about plants. If you have a neighbour who can help you we'd be eternally grateful, as we don't really want the responsibility, especially now there's a hosepipe ban. There is a charge for this extra service. 🌻

We hope you all have a great summer, wherever your holiday takes you. Rest assured we will do our utmost to keep your kitties cool and happy this summer.

Sue, Eve, Gemma & Angie 😻 your Katz at Home Team ❤️🐾❤️

Note from Sue: I may no longer do every visit but I am always fully aware of the status of every visit we do. My wonderful team check in regularly, and we hand over and update each other constantly on our WhatsApp group. I've trained them well. 😻

19/05/2026

The text below popped up on my personal page today! This means Katz at Home is now 20 years old!! 🐈🎉🐈‍⬛ Who would have thought it back then; the time flies so fast when you're having fun.
THANK YOU to all our wonderful customers, some of whom have been with us for the whole 20 years; without you we wouldn't be celebrating this milestone. 🙏🐾❤️🐾🐈‍⬛🐾🐈🐾😻

And THANK YOU to Eve, who has supported me for many years now. ❤️ And also Gemma & Angie, whose extra help means Eve and I can have time off at last. One or more of us is working every single day of the year. 😻❤️

FROM 2016:
Super proud that my little business is now 10 years old. What started out as a hobby and a bit of fun has become a very well known service in my area, with literally 100s of customers, and more appearing all the time.

What I never anticipated was how much of the circle of life I’d see. I’ve seen customers meet someone, move in, get married/pregnant, divorce/move away, find themselves a new love, move back again, new home, new job, new cat! I’ve seen the kids I first met become young adults, and I’ve had customers die, both feline and human. I’ve discovered cats with serious injuries or illness and got them to the vets in time; I’ve also walked in on ones too late to save and had to break the news. I’ve dealt with burglaries, leaks, power cuts, storm damage, half the garden floating in the swimming pool! I have customers who live in the tiniest flat through to the dream houses the rest of us only gaze at. Difficult customers who are unrealistic and often haven’t a clue about cat care, to the few that have become friends over the years. I never anticipated the huge level of responsibility nor the protectiveness I feel for customers’ property and animals.

But I’m being paid to spend time with cats! The love of my life. It doesn’t get better than that. All I can now say is, it’s been emotional, and here’s to the next 10 years! :-)

16/04/2026

It's been a busy Easter 🐣🐰 as the last of our customers return home this week. Some of these beautiful felines were under our care for just the Easter weekend, but others were for a week or so and some were for almost 3 weeks. Almost all of them are regulars who we care for several times during the year; we love seeing them so often. ❤️🐾❤️