Hi, I’m Shelley, the founder of Finnegan’s Whiskers, and I’m excited to welcome you to our cat cafe in Sudbury, Suffolk. I am a lifelong cat lover; having owned cats at every stage of my life. I grew up with cats, and my children have done the same. Quite simply, I cannot imagine life without them. We have three cats at home: Mooky, Casper and Finn. It was Finn (otherwise known as Mr Finnegan) who was the inspiration behind our name. They are my therapy, my way to relax at the end of a busy day, and they bring our home so much love and joy. My background is in media marketing, having worked for many well known TV, Radio and Film companies throughout my career, but I have always had a burning desire to work with animals.

When I discovered cat cafes, and began to spend time in them, they quickly became my ‘happy place’. I have spent many an hour in cat cafes, not only relaxing with the cats, but meeting and chatting to other cat lovers and sharing pictures and stories of our own cats. The way in which a cat cafe can bring together a community of cat lovers is something I wanted to replicate for others. I have taken many learnings from the various cat cafes I’ve visited, all of which have helped me to create the wonderful environment that is Finnegan’s Whiskers. 

I am also very proud to be the 2023/24 East of England Ambassador for the British Business Bank Start Up Loans Programme. Finnegan’s Whiskers is one of 12 small businesses from across the UK chosen as a leading and inspiring example of a UK start-up backed by the programme.