At the Fremantle Trust, creating a home-from-home experience for our residents is a top priority, by ensuring their lifestyle is maintained as much as possible. In celebration of International Cat Day, we’re shining a spotlight on Nettie and her beloved cat, Hagrid.

Nettie has been a cherished resident of Lent Rise House in Burnham for over two years. Her transition to our community was made much smoother by her loyal companion, Hagrid, who has been by her side for nearly a decade. Hagrid isn’t just any cat; born with an extra toe on each of his front paws, Hagrid’s unique feature makes him even more special to Nettie.

It was essential that Hagrid came to live with me here at Lent Rise House. He kept me company when I was living at home and made the move here that much easier. It meant the world to me.

Maintaining her lifestyle and the bond with Hagrid was important for Nettie.

He’s the biggest thing in my life. I love him and can’t imagine my life without him. My sight isn’t very good so it’s nice to know that he is always around. My favourite part of the day is having cuddles with him and being able to fuss him. He’s such a loving boy.

Our dedicated staff at Lent Rise House play a key role in maintaining this special bond. They ensure Hagrid has fresh food and water daily and allow him to explore the garden, just as he would if Nettie were still living in her own house.

The staff have enabled me to keep Hagrid here with me so that I can live just as I did when I was at home, with him by my side. I can’t thank them enough.

At the Fremantle Trust, we understand that pets are more than just animals—they’re family. We believe that maintaining the bond with a pet can be incredibly rewarding and beneficial for older people. That’s why we do everything we can to support our residents in looking after their beloved companions while ensuring the health and safety of all our residents.