Behind the Scenes at Hector’s House: A rescue spotlight from founder Zara Oldfield

While searching for him, she had a profound realisation: there were countless cats living wild, unnoticed, and unhelped. Many were once owned but had reverted to feral behaviours, making it almost impossible to tell whether they’d ever known a home. That moment of clarity became the catalyst for everything that followed. Fast forward to today, and with the help of 106 dedicated volunteers, Zara has helped over 2,900 cats find safety and a second chance.

What started as a grassroots rescue now operates from a purpose-built centre funded through a generous legacy and The Pet Foundation. Yet despite its growth, Hector’s House remains laser-focused on cats often overlooked by others, those born outside, unneutered, undersocialised, and in urgent need of help.

“It all started when very sick tomcats began turning up in gardens,” Zara recalls. “Shops were closed, food sources gone. They were following other cats just to survive.”

A unique aspect of Hector’s House is its focus on understanding feline behaviour as the key to successful rehoming. With 24/7 CCTV and dedicated volunteers monitoring cats’ interactions when humans aren’t around, Zara’s team has developed a nuanced approach.

“We try to see the world through the cat’s eyes. Are they scared? Curious? Socialised? Our job is to assess, not assume.”

They take in many cats born outdoors who have missed their key socialisation window (2–10 weeks), and know that what appears feral can, with time, prove domestic. Or not. That’s why they place some cats in yoga retreats, llama farms, and fishing lakes, unconventional homes for unconventional cats.

One of Zara’s guiding principles is to always ask: what would the cat want? Would it choose human companionship? Would it choose solitude and space? This approach shapes their rehoming process—and has informed their setup, with individual double pens, high welfare standards (as proud ADCH members), and cat-led decision-making.

“The cat decides. We just help them get there.”

Zara’s advice for a smooth adoption? Patience, scent-swapping, and trust in the rescue’s advice. Hector’s House sends adopters home with clear guidance, Pet Remedy support, Royal Canin starter packs, and a video on settling their new pet.

Hector’s House is facing rising abandonment and surrender rates. Post-pandemic, Zara has seen a surge in unchipped, unneutered cats, and a worrying trend of people treating pets as disposable. “We’re seeing more kittens bought ‘for entertainment’, then dumped. It’s a national issue. If we could make one wish come true? Microchip and neuter all cats allowed outside.”

The scale of the problem brings relentless financial pressure: “Our vet bills were £1,600 in July, and that’s without any major surgeries, just vaccines, checks, and sheer volume.” Zara believes that pet insurance isn’t just a bonus, it’s essential, and urges other rescues to promote it as a core part of responsible rehoming.

Every cat rehomed through Hector’s House goes home with Agria Free Cover, giving adopters peace of mind and the rescue a valuable source of ongoing support through policy conversions.

In a climate where donations are stretched and demand is surging, every funding stream helps, from their charity shop, which raises vital awareness and funds, to the steady percentage back from adopters who stay with Agria long term.

Zara is keen to shine a spotlight on the often-overlooked black cats who’ve waited the longest for homes, like Sammy, Edward, and Dean. Six-year-old Sammy is a cuddle king who’d thrive as an only cat with access to a rural garden. Edward, aged three, is a long, lean softie with panther-like charm and a love of snuggles. Two-year-old Dean is a quirky character with a foxy tail, a playful spirit, and huge potential.

“Black cats stay with us longest,” says Zara. “There’s still a stigma; they’re often seen as boring or unphotogenic. We’re working hard to change that.”