As an international adoptee, I moved around a lot in my childhood and always found comfort in animals when I couldn't always in people. I also experienced a range of cultures where standards for animal welfare vary hugely and throughout it all, pursued my passion for caring for them. As I begged for my own pet I often bonded with strays and researched how to care for them appropriately. And, when my family settled in the UK, I was able to adopt my beloved rescue cat. Alongside this, I nursed quite a few rodents like various mice and a hamster as I could only afford smaller pets. I also half grew up in the countryside as my family there owns a farm that nurtures a diverse spread of animals- so I've been accustomed to catering to a wide variety of needs and personalities from a young age. From horses to chickens, I took great pride in learning the ins and outs of each individual creature and tackling any challenge or temperament to give them the best experience- because it's the least they deserve. I think it's beautiful to bond with animals and build that trust, as well as helping to train or develop them as their own beings. My cat definitely has his own personality ! Because of my love for animals, I often bond with all my friend and family member's pets, so have quite a lot of experience with dogs despite not owning them. I'm definitely the type to almost remember the pet's name over the person's. Known as a little nerdy animal enthusiast from a young age, I've had a long-term goal to build my own rescue shelter in the future ! I truly adore working with animals so thought it would be more than worth it to apply for this :)