Meet The Team At Cat's Whiskers

Cat's Whiskers Veterinary Clinic Amanda Nicholls

Dr Amanda Nicholls BVetMed MRCVS

Veterinary Surgeon & Clinical Director

Amanda graduated from the Royal Veterinary College London in 2000, fulfilling a lifelong ambition to become a vet. She has many years’ experience as a Veterinary Surgeon working in several companion animal veterinary practices throughout the UK. Over this time she developed a compelling interest in feline medicine and surgery, and went on to further her knowledge and complete numerous courses in this area. It was this passion for feline medicine that was the driving force behind setting up Cat’s Whiskers in March 2010, an exclusive veterinary clinic for cats in Worthing, West Sussex.

Amanda is now a member of both the International Society of Feline Medicine (a charity dedicated to promoting the health and welfare of cats) and the Worldwide Veterinary Service. Amanda is a Fear Free certified veterinary professional.

When Amanda has free time, she enjoys gardening, travelling, walking and reading. Amanda shares her home with Kitty, a black female cat, Ivy a tortieshell female cat, Iris (Ivy’s daughter) a fluffy female tabby cat and Golden Retriever Bradley.

Kate Bloomfield RVN

Registered Veterinary Nurse

Kate qualified in 1988, so she brings a wealth of experience to our team. She has specialist feline qualifications in many areas, including: ISFM Certificate in Feline Nursing (ISFMCertFN), ISFM Diploma in Feline Nursing (ISFM DipFN), ISFM Advanced Certificate in Feline Behaviour (ISFM AdvCertFB) and ISFM Certificate in Feline Dentistry. She is also a Fear Free certified veterinary professional.

Kate also runs her own cattery, meaning she has a lot of experience with caring for cats.

In her spare time, Kate enjoys walking with her Cocker Spaniel Meg, reading and swimming.

Kate has three cats of her own; Saffron, Luigi, and Martha.

Arlene Francis RVN

Registered Veterinary Nurse

Arlene has been working with animals for over 10 years and has a background in both veterinary clinics and catteries.

She qualified as a veterinary nurse in 2022 and has a keen interest in feline medicine and anaesthesia.

Arlene has 2 cats at home, Fig and Waffle.

In her spare time, Arlene loves going to concerts, loves cooking and doing arts and crafts.

Louise Dodds

Clinic Office Manager

Louise has many years’ experience in customer service and now has her purrfect job as front of house, meeting and greeting cats and their owners and when she gets the oppportunity, she loves to cuddle the cats and especially the kittens!

Louise brings her positivity to work each day and would describe herself as the ‘crazy cat lady’!

Louise has rescue sisters Cassie and Kian to get her cat fix at home!

When she’s not working, Louise enjoys spending time with family and friends.

Fiona Baker

Business Consultant & Non-Clinical Director

Fiona has many years’ experience working in large corporate business organisations and served in the British army for 12 years.

Fiona supports all of our business functions and assists Amanda with managing the clinic.

Fiona is of course a cat lover and shares joint parenting with Amanda of cats Kitty, Ivy and Iris and Golden Retriever Bradley!

In her spare time, Fiona enjoys being outside with nature, walking in the South Downs and generally keeping herself fit.

Rhys Hylands

Nursing Assistant/Receptionist

Rhys has a strong passion for working with animals and has been in the animal sector for 10 years but it took him a little while to find the niche that is veterinary. He has worked in dog kennels, catteries and a zoo and he thoroughly enjoys the science and how different the days can be in the veterinary industry.

He has a keen interest to one day become a qualified nurse but now that he is a father, he’s putting that on the back burner for the time being.

Rhys is a family man and he has a daughter who is his entire world. He is of course a cat lover and has as a cat called Pickle who he loves just as much, his fiancé is 3rd in ranking so he says!

He is a massive football fan and supports the best team on the planet (apparently) Arsenal. In his spare time he loves to binge watch tv and film, go out with the family and cook.