Meet The Team

Welcome to Canada Farm, we know that your pet’s welfare is of the upmost importance to you, it is for us too. That is why we employ ample staff to give our guests all the attention they need. You will see that all of our staff have been with us many years and have the experience and expertise to make your pets holiday a happy and enjoyable one.

Kathryn Banks

I have lived with animals my whole life, spending many weekends growing up at dog shows, gun dog trials and at our local vets where my mum worked.

In 1994 I got my first job working weekends and summer holidays in a kennels. 2 years later I started full time work there taking care of the dogs, walking them, cleaning kennels, feeding and bathing. I also helped trim my mums dogs and the owner of the kennels dogs for showing. 

After having my first baby in 2001 I then came to work part time at Canada Farm. Here I got my animal care level 2 qualification and also  become a fully qualified dog groomer. I have always enjoyed working here as te dogs and cats always come 1st and fellow staff member have been as passionate about the animals as I am. Early 2021 the opportunity arose for me to buy Canada Farm and by May 2021 this dream came true. So my family of 5, 4 dogs and cat all moved in.

Its been such an exciting and busy few years but I’ve been very lucky to have some existing staff that have been working here as long as me and some lovely new staff that are all so amazing with the animals and so enthusiastic in making Canada Farm the best we possibly can.

We have already made some changes and we all still have lots of ideas and for new things to come in the next few years.

Having lived with dogs and cats my whole life and owning my own for 24 years I totally understand the worry of leaving them, as do all the wonderful staff here, which is why we try and make every pets stay here as happy, enjoyable and comfortable as we can.

Qualifications:

Animal care level 2
City & guilds level 3 dog grooming
1st aid animal care
1st aid human care 

Lin Lucas

Ever since I was little we have always had dogs in our family. My sister and I had a Jack Russell each growing up and this where my love of dogs started. When I left home my first dog was a Bull Mastiff and since then have had 5 others dogs all shapes and sizes. I have always enjoyed spending time walking and cuddling on the sofa with my own dogs but in 2021 I started at Canada Farm and now get to care for many more dogs and cats. I really hate leaving my own dogs so completely understand when owners are worried about leaving their dogs, especially if they are nervous like mine. What is nice here though is we get to spend extra time with any nervous dogs or cats and gain their trust. Whilst working here I have gained my qualification in animal 1st aid. 

Lauran Moseley

I have always had a passion for caring and learning about all kinds of animals since I was young and have been allowed to let that passion grow here at Canada Farm Kennels and Cattery.

I have been working here since the spring of 2022 and I enjoy every second of it.

I studied at Capel Manor college in which I obtained a Level 3 dipolma in animal care and management.

Before working here, I had worked in a vet practice, a dog groomers, a pet shop and a cattery. I also had the amazing opportunity in which I worked on a wildlife reserve in South Africa for two weeks.

I have grown up with Boxers and Mastiffs so do have a soft spot for these breeds. I currently have a little crossbreed called Darcy as well as a collection of reptiles and birds. 

Leighanne Oseman

Growing up we always had various animals, cats, dogs and horses.

Having owned a horse from 10 years old this has always been my 1st passion, 14 years a go I started my collection of dogs and cats in my own home and now have 4 very energetic spaniels, a cat as well as my 4 horses.

I have always enjoyed working outside with the horses so fitting in at Canada farm when I started in 2023 was easy. I don’t like to sit still and like to keep myself busy which is not a problem at Canada Farm. There is always something to do from feeding, cleaning, giving the dogs and cats lots of attention, giving medication, the list goes on and on, so a perfect fit for me.

Owning my own energetic dogs I can appreciate that some dogs need more stimulation and exercise than others.

Ella Skinner

I have always had a passion for animals and have now worked in kennels for 5 years. I started at Canada Farm in 2020 and have gained so much experience here. I am currently working towards my level 2 qualification in animal care. I have two dogs of my own, a Labrador and a Husky x German Shepherd who I often bring to work with me for a pampering session in our grooming parlour. 

I love how rewarding it is working with animals and building a relationship with all of the pets that stay in the kennels and cattery.

June Grainger

I have lived with multiple cats and dogs my whole life, my first job was caring for the dogs at a local greyhound track, which then lead into my career of veterinary nursing. I started working at Mead vets around 1970 and worked there until 2021 when my daughter took over Canada Farm. Since then I have been helping with office duties and keeping an eye on the dogs and cats in our care.

Anna Duval

I have always been around animals growing up. I have had a lot of experience with dogs as my mum used to do dog shows and run dog training classes. I have also had experience with cats, with our mum being a veterinary nurse we got to hand rear kittens, which lead to me keeping one. I had my cat for just shy of 18 years, he had kidney failure so am used to giving medication to cats. I now have a lovely golden retriever, who was abandoned at Canada Farm, we knew nothing about her but she settled in perfectly to our family home.

I have helped on various occasions at the kennels since I was still at school. I then decided to become a permanent member two years ago when my sister took the kennels on. Since joining I have taken a pet first aid course, I love my job, getting used to all the regular and new cats and dogs. 

Emma Walter

I have worked here since the summer of 2021, I love both dogs and cats. Since working here I have completed a pet first aid course and I have almost completed my apprenticeship in animal care. I have gained a lot of knowledge and experience through lots of hands on animal care, which has involved lots of playtime with various breeds, bathing and grooming, working with puppies through to OAP’s. Everyone calls me the crazy cat lady as I love spending extra time in the cattery, whether it’s playing with kittens/playful cats or encouraging the shy ones out of their shells. I have my own fluffy cat called Fudge. I love working with animals, I love any size animal, big, small, fluffy etc.

Marc Davis

I have worked at Canada Farm Boarding Kennels and Cattery since summer 2005. I was part time to start with, working whilst studying at Hadlow College. My first course at Hadlow College was a ‘National Diploma in Animal Management’ which was for 2 years. Then to further my education I continued studying at Hadlow to get a ‘Foundation Degree in Animal Behaviour and Welfare’. After completing these courses I become full time at Canada Farm.

I have attended a number of work experience placements which include Battersea at Brands Hatch, RSPCA at Leybourne, Chessington Zoo and Wildlife Aid in Surrey. I also enjoyed a 2 week South African field trip around game parks and animal sanctuaries, this was part of my degree.

Samantha Gear

Ever since I was young I’ve always wanted to work with animals. I learnt a lot about cat and dog behaviour growing up as my parents owned a lot of pets. I used to go to dog training and dog shows with my parents all the time and was fascinated by their behaviour.

When I was given the opportunity to do work experience at Canada Farm, in 1995 when I was at school, I jumped at the chance. After finishing school I was given a summer job at Canada Farm and since then I have never left. I have learnt so much more about dog and cat behaviour and have dealt with all different kinds of situations from aggressive dogs, bathing and grooming, dealing with nervous dogs, fussy eaters, medication etc.

As we are a small kennel and cattery, we get to know all our boarders by name and get to know their temperament so that we can give the best level of care possible. I own a blind little poodle and 3 cats and as a pet owner I know how nerve racking it is to trust somebody else to look after them but I can assure you that I wouldn’t leave my pets anywhere other than Canada Farm.

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Call us now to have a chat and check availability 01474 704253, Or just pop in and have a look around. No appointment necessary