Animals have always been a huge part of my life. My love for them started with my childhood cat, Doodles. Every evening she'd curl up on my chest, and this has always been one of my favourite childhood memories. When I was around 10, we welcomed our family dog Bramble into our lives. Later, she developed a health condition that meant she needed daily medication and extra care. Helping to give her medication, changing her bedding every morning and evening, and making sure she was comfortable taught me how important patience, and compassion are when caring for pets with additional needs. Since then, I've been lucky enough to care for pets belonging to family, friends, and colleagues. This has included overnight house sits with cats, looking after my uncle's Westie, Freddie, in his own home, and welcoming my boyfriend's family dog into my home while they were away. My love for animals extends beyond cats and dogs. While travelling around South East Asia, I volunteered and donated at an animal shelter in Koh Samui, made a point of visiting only ethical elephant sanctuaries in Chiang Mai where the elephants aren't ridden or touched, and even met the incredible landmine detection rats in Cambodia. Those experiences strengthened my passion for animal welfare and my respect for every animal, big or small.