The catnip hearts sold by The Mayhew Animal Home are legendary.

The last time I bought some, I brought them home in a paper bag but, by the time I went to retrieve them, they had already been secretly sniffed out.

A cat’s claw had, with the precision of a surgeon carrying out an operation, made a clean incision into the bag and all the hearts had been silently extracted. (For readers unfamiliar with cats, catnip is a plant that most cats adore).

Fortunately it is not just catnip hearts that The Mayhew has that are adorable.

Just take a look at Chester. This four-year-old boy has steadily worked his way into the hearts of all the staff and volunteers at The Mayhew.

He arrived in early February after The Mayhew were told that for a long time he had been sleeping, as a stray, in a box inside a concrete shelter in someone’s front garden.

Although he can be shy at times, he is gentle, friendly and affectionate. He needs a quiet, loving home. If this could be with you, he’s waiting for you at The Mayhew, Trenmar Gardens, Kensal Green NW10.

Tea party will support work at home and abroad

The Mayhew undertakes fantastic work both in this country and abroad.

Currently, one of their vets is in Afghanistan for three months treating injured animals as well as training the veterinary team in Nowzad. Another veterinary team is working in Georgia teaching how to neuter and spay animals.

This is in addition to their London work where their Animal Welfare Officers never know what each day will bring.

They were recently called to a house where over 30 cats were living and, unsurprisingly, the owner couldn’t cope.

In order to raise funds for all this work and, at the same time, celebrate The Mayhew’s 130 Anniversary, The Mayhew is inviting us to host a tea party between April 18-24.

This also coincides with National Tea Day on April 21. If you would like to hold a tea party you can register your event at themayhew.org and they will send you a pack to help with your party.

Hosts and guests will have the opportunity to enter the raffle whereby you can win afternoon tea for two at Ladurée, Covent Garden.