For the love OF ANIMALS

RSPCA inspector and animal lover Emily Astillberry shares her journey to achieve her lifelong dream

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After 20 years on the front line of the fight against cruelty to animals, RSPCA inspector Emily Astillberry still loves what she does. However, she has a passion for literature, and always promised herself that one day she would fulfil her ambition and write a book.

In the five years since she started writing her novel, things have become harder for the charity, with record numbers of creatures needing their help. As well as her large and loving family, being able to escape into a different world as she writes has proved to be a godsend and foil to her difficult role. She hopes to bring joy and offer escapism to her readers too.

'I've always read avidly and must have worked my way through hundreds of novels in my life,' 41-year old Emily, from King's Lynn, says. 'Before I began my career, I studied English Literature and Linguistics at university, and took a creative writing course. I was going to be an English teacher and write novels, but I somehow landed the job at the RSPCA.

I am incredibly proud that I get to work on the ground with animals and owners, and make a difference in many, many animal lives. What I cherish is ending suffering and offering the rescues I remove a chance of a new, transformed existence, but also educating and assisting sometimes vulnerable people to better care for their pets.'