Katherine Ward

Katherine Ward (13 June 1895 – 4 August 1979), affectionately known as Camberley Kate, was a British dog lover and eccentric who is estimated to have cared for over 600 dogs in her lifetime. She was well-known to residents of Camberley, Surrey, for what historian Arthur Bryant described as the "astonishing spectacle" of her pushing a wooden cart along Camberley High Street "surrounded by dogs of every size and species".

Early life On 13 June 1895, Ward was born in Middlesbrough, Yorkshire. Both of her parents died by the time Ward was ten years old. Consequently, she was raised by her aunt, who was strictly religious. Ward described her aunt's home as having an "atmosphere of disapproval". Aged 19, she left home to work in domestic service in Bradford.

Bryant wrote that his correspondence with Ward showed a religious aspect of her devotion to animals. She wrote "I always say they are His. I am just looking after them. I love to feel I am the unknown hand (never mentioned in the story) to get ready the stable for His coming on earth".

As her health deteriorated and she suffered a number of strokes, Ward moved to the nearby Kingsclear residential home. Ward had set up a trust fund to ensure her dogs could continue to be looked after once she died. At this point she had seven remaining dogs, which were put into kennels. She died on 4 August 1979 and was buried in the churchyard of St Michael's church in Camberley.

After her death, there were calls for a memorial plaque to be placed in Camberley in her honour. A development of Camberley retirement flats, Katherine Court, was named after her in 2000.

European director of the Animals & Society Institute, Kim Stallwood, cites her as an early influence on his animal advocacy. Stallwood states that Ward embodied many contradictions, such as being someone who preferred the company of animals to humans, but nonetheless quietly donated money she could scarcely afford to help the human poor and sick. He asks "Did she confirm or overturn the stereotype of the animal lover as misanthrope?"