Ian, 56, shows that there is such a thing as a “cat man.” So let’s get rid of the cat woman image once and for all.
Since 1992, the single man has cared for over 5,000 cats in his house, which he shares with over 70 animals.
He identifies himself as a’professional cat caretaker and showman,’ claiming that he teaches the cats to assist patients with epilepsy.
However, Ian, who goes by the nickname Catmando, is presently being investigated by the police and the RSPCA after residents complained that tens of cats were living in horrible conditions.
He has now defended his right to care for the animals at his Gainsborough, Lincolnshire, home, saying that his animals are happy and healthy.
Ian, who has been walking up to 15 cats along the street at a time since 1992, said: ‘I’m a professional cat carer.’
He has now defended his right to care for the animals on his Gainsborough, Lincolnshire, home, saying that his pets are happy and healthy.
‘I’m a professional cat carer and have been since 1992,’ said Ian, who frequently walks up to 15 cats along the street at a time.
‘I’ve cared for over 5,000 cats and trained 2,000 to be alternative epilepsy therapies.’
‘Cats can sense when someone is about to have an epileptic seizure, sometimes hours in advance.
‘I don’t drink, don’t smoke, and I don’t follow women.’ It takes it all away when I sit down with the cats, plus a room full of cats keeps it warm.
‘Everything is legal and transparent.’ I’m a good person. I’m standing up for myself because I’ve done nothing wrong.
‘I’m squeakier than a bar of soap when it comes to hygiene. I have no criminal records and no history of mental illness.
‘There’s plenty of space for the cats, and I have the cops on the premises on a regular basis.’
‘They’ve all said the same thing: the cats are all OK and nothing is wrong with them.’
‘I have a thing for cats.’
Since last Thursday, animal rights activists have gathered outside Ian’s home.
They claim that the animals can not roam freely as the back garden is surrounded by chicken wire and metal rods, while the photos show that the house has grown clean.
The protestors believe that training and walking cats is illegal and immoral,’ said Ian, who has never married and has no children. ‘That’s absurdity; what’s wrong with people walking dogs if they walk cats?
‘At the end of the day, who is going to be next if you can pick on people who walk cats?’
‘Tortoise walkers, hamster walkers, gerbil walkers? What’s the big deal about being unique? What’s wrong with having the freedom to make your own decisions?
‘There’s nothing wrong with doing things the old-fashioned way,’ says the author.
Ian claims he also performs as a showman across the country with several of his cats in a cart, continuing a family tradition.
‘My father, like my grandpa before him, was a showman,’ he said.
‘I let them pet the kittens and provide joy and hope to them.
‘I’ve always kept cats, and at times I’ve had as many as 140.’
‘Every year, I spend £5,000 on them in the form of food, treats, toys, and therapies.’
‘I recently bought six chickens, 5 pounds of gammon, 5 pounds of sausages, 5 pounds of bacon, and £5 pounds of chicken nuggets.
‘That’s £70 worth of food for them, and that’s just for one meal, which I try to get every day if I can.’
‘I take good care of my animals. People should not make false accusations against me as the accusations are absolutely fake.
Lincolnshire Police issued a warning to protestors last week, asking them to remain away from the property so that the appropriate authorities could carry out their duties.
‘We are aware of this event,’ said an RSPCA spokeswoman.
Unfortunately, we are unable to address individual complaints; however, we welcome people who report suspected animal suffering to us, and we want to reassure people that we will always examine and, if required, investigate any animal welfare worries made to us.
