The company Catnips was founded in 2009 by Anita Kelsey, certified feline behaviour counsellor BA Hons 1st (MCFBA/CIDBT). Anita set out to establish a cat only care company servicing the areas of Notting Hill, which turned into a very successful business.
It was during her years managing Catnips that Anita started to study cat behaviour enrolling in a two year course with cat biologist and behaviourist, Roger Tabor, before going on to study for a further three years at Middlesex University. Before her behaviour studies Anita trained 6 days a week, for 5 weeks, in a working cat grooming salon achieving a master cat groomer level. After much hard work Anita set up her mobile cat grooming business under the umbrella of Catnips. Years of experience working with all kinds of cats has enabled Anita to hone in on an unique cat grooming style which involved the study of low stress handling techniques and a way of working with the cats she grooms rather than working against them.
Anita achieved a first class BA Hons after presenting her cat behaviour practice to do the work based University course. He degree is in feline Behaviour and Psychology. She has been accepted and accredited as a full member of The Canine and Feline Behaviour Association and is one of their regular contributors on feline related articles for their on-line magazine. Pet Style Magazine Style Tails. She is also on the expert panel for Your Cat Magazine and writes on a regular basis for The Vet Times, Your Cat and Cat Blog Katzenworld. Her cat behaviour practice, based in the heart of Notting Hill, is doing extremely well and is well known by vets all over London.
A strong supporter of The Mayhew Animal Home Anita occasionally offers up her time to assist as a volunteer cat re-homing officer, which involves visiting peoples homes to ensure they are suitable for the cat in question.
Anita's debut book 'Claws - Confessions Of A Cat Groomer' was released on 7th September 2017. Published by John Blake it can be purchased on Amazon HERE.
Catnips continues to grow as a company and really is a one stop shop for all things exclusively feline. The philosophy behind Catnips is one of compassion and love for all sentient beings we share the planet with and that includes - CATS!
Please look at the CAT ADVICE PAGE for handy cat tips.
CORONAVIRUS UPDATE:
Following the prime ministers announcement Sunday 10th May, social distancing measures are still to be adhered too, as well as being encouraged not to travel on London Transport. Therefore it would not be safe for yourself as well as for me to enter your home for cat grooming, especially if I need gentle assistance with holding your cat. I am also in the vulnerable category with respiratory issues around flu/colds and therefore I have decided that my mobile cat grooming business will remain closed until the government advises it is safe to resume business as normal.
The potential opening of hairdressers and the personal care industry will be at the beginning of July would be my signal that I could potentially start grooming again. I realise this is still a way ahead and in some cases you may feel this is too long to wait if your cat is starting to get matted. If the mats are getting to the point where you feel they need attention sooner rather than later, then it may be that you need to contact your vet for assistance to prevent them getting any worse.
Rest assured, I am working hard to get new procedures in place so that my home visit are as safe as possible and for when we finally get to venture out into this strange and changed world again. This does depend on your area of course and whether I service it.
In the meantime, stay well and keep up with that brushing!
Anita
