Cat Sitting in Bury | Meet Mickey: The Cat Behind My Three Cats Bury

March 12, 2026•3 min read

Meet Mickey: The 18-Year Old Cat Who Inspired a New Cat-Sitting Service in Bury

An 18-year-old rescue cat who lost his owner has inspired a local veterinary nurse to launch a specialist cat-sitting service in Bury.

Mickey came into Jen Taylor’s care after his owner sadly passed away. At 18 years old, he was at an age when many older cats struggle to find permanent homes.

Jen, who has spent the past decade working as a veterinary nurse, caring for

Mickey the 18-year-old rescue cat in Bury who inspired My Three Cats Bury cat sitting service

everything from hand-reared kittens to critically ill ICU patients, hadn’t planned on bringing another cat home.

But when Mickey needed somewhere to go, she knew she couldn’t let him be overlooked.

“After losing my own boy last year, I wasn’t intending to get another cat,” she said. “But I couldn’t bear the thought of Mickey going into rescue. He’d already lost his person. He needed a home.”

Mickey – a charming ginger and white gentleman – quickly made himself comfortable. He’s a loud-purring, affectionate character who pulls your hand back with his paw if you stop stroking him. He even finishes many of his meows with what Jen affectionately calls an ‘Elvis lip’.

From Rescue Cat to New Cat Business in Bury

Mickey’s story inspired Jen to launch My Three Cats Bury, a professional in-home cat-sitting service covering Bury, Prestwich, Ramsbottom and surrounding areas.

The service allows cats to stay relaxed in their own homes while their owners are away on holiday or travelling for work.

Instead of the stress of a cattery environment, a trusted Bury cat sitter visits the home to provide feeding, litter care, medication if required, and plenty of fuss and reassurance.

Jen’s veterinary nursing background gives her a unique advantage when caring for clients’ cats.

Her experience means she can recognise subtle changes in behaviour or health that might otherwise go unnoticed.

Why More Cat Owners Are Choosing In-Home Cat Sitting

There are an estimated 12 million cats in the UK, yet much of the pet care industry still focuses on dogs.

Cats are territorial animals who often feel stressed when removed from their home environment. Because of this, many owners now prefer in-home cat sitting in Bury rather than using a traditional cattery.

My Three Cats founder Wendy Thomson Melling says this shift in owner preferences is growing rapidly.

“Jen’s veterinary background means she understands feline behaviour and can spot small changes in a cat’s health or mood,” she said. “That level of expertise makes her an ideal partner to represent My Three Cats in Bury.”