Cat Chat's Patrons

Sir Roger Gale MP

Pictured right is our first Patron, Sir Roger Gale MP, with one of his rescue cats. Sir Roger has supported Cat Chat for many years, even before we became registered as a Charity. Roger is always ready and willing to help and advise, somehow managing to fit us into his incredibly busy schedule whenever we need his expertise.

“I have supported Cat Chat since its early days. The number of rescued cats they help each year is outstanding, and the continuing success of this valuable Charity is hugely important to cat rescue in this country.” Sir Roger Gale MP

Both Sir Roger and his wife Suzy are ardent animal lovers, and campaign tirelessly on their behalf. Find out more about Sir Roger here: www.rogergale.co.uk

Bagpuss

When we became a registered Charity in 2003, Bagpuss was pursuaded by his close person-friend, the late Oliver Postgate, to become a Patron. Since Oliver's death in 2008, his son Daniel Postgate continues to assist Bagpuss in his role as Cat Chat Patron.

Bagpuss (in his own words)
"I really am a most fortunate old cat!
This is because, being imaginary, I am never cold or hungry, and always have lots of friends to keep me company and look after me. So it worries me very much to realise that so many real, live, beautiful cats are left lonely, homeless and unloved, when I know that there are really plenty of people in the world who would be glad of their company and be happy to be their friends. That is why I would like to commend to you, my friends, this most feline website: www.catchat.org, where they will help you to find a cat-friend, if you are a person, or a person-friend, if you are a cat."

Oliver Postgate:
Find out more »» Oliver Postgate Remembered

Cat Chat's Famous Friends

Sir Peter Hall

The first to become a Famous Friend was Sir Peter Hall, one of the country's foremost theatre directors, who joined us in November 2010.  He was the Founding Director of the Royal Shakespeare Company in the 1960's and the Director of the National Theatre for fifteen years (1973-88).  He founded The Peter Hall Theatre Company some twenty years ago and his productions are regularly seen in the West End, and on tour in the UK and abroad.

"As a lifelong animal lover, I salute Cat Chat for its excellent and ongoing work in helping to find homes for so many abandoned cats."  Sir Peter Hall

Marilyn Edwards

Joining our select group of Famous Friends is long-time Cat Chat supporter Marilyn Edwards. Marilyn, author of  the bestselling "The Cats of Moon Cottage", has gone on to write five books in all about cats, and says she is still writing on the subject! Her newest  passion is to write fiction about cats for children, where the cats stay  completely feline. ("They never wear clothes, fight battles in armour or  indulge in human conversations but they do feel fear, and hunger and loneliness and crave for the caring and love to be found in a safe home.”)

“From the moment I lived with my first cat I realised what special creatures they are and felt the need to convey that as widely as possible. I now cannot imagine my life without a cat being a part of it. I am honoured to be one of Cat Chat's Famous Friends, as I especially revere the work they do in rehoming older cats, nervous cats, and cats with issues or disabilities. As I have been talking in schools, I have been astonished at the number of children who have had three legged cats in their lives."

If you would like to know more about Marilyn Edwards or her books see www.thecatsofmooncottage.co.uk

Tom Cox

We are delighted to have author and self-confessed ‘Cat Man’ Tom Cox as a Cat Chat Friend. Tom is noted for his humorous books about cats, music and golf, his most successful book to date being “Under the Paw: Confessions of a Cat Man”, a comic memoir of his life... as dominated by cats. Tom is also a respected columnist, having written for several national newspapers including The Guardian, The Financial Times and The New Musical Express.

“How can there be so many cats – really surprisingly plush-looking cats, who would probably happily sit on your knee for up to three hours without budging – languishing in cages, unwanted? Rather than simply rage silently at an unfeeling universe, I am supporting Cat Chat in their aim to make every cat a wanted cat.”

Find out more about Tom here: www.tom-cox.com or catch up on The Little Cat Diaries: www.littlecatdiaries.blogspot.com

Susan Hampshire

As well as being one of the UK's most admired actresses, Susan Hampshire is also known for her love of animals and cats in particular, so Cat Chat is delighted to welcome her as one of our special Friends. Susan's starring roles in a range of popular films and TV series from The Forsyte Saga to, most recently, Monarch of the Glen have given enormous pleasure to millions of viewers. Despite being a life-long dyslexia sufferer Susan has also become an accomplished author whose books include an autobiography, books on gardening and a series of children's stories. She was awarded an OBE in 1995 for her work with dyslexia charities.

“I have always been a cat lover and am very pleased to be one of Cat Chat’s supporters – their work in helping so many abandoned cats to find homes is very important. The idea of any animal suffering homelessness or cruelty is abhorrent to me. Perhaps you can consider rehoming a cat and if so, I’m sure that Cat Chat can help you find that special one...”  Susan Hampshire