Q: Have you always had pets?
A: Always. When I was little I used to bring home stray pets and always wanted more. My first pet was a rabbit called Bertie Bunny; he sadly died after only about a month. Then Willie Whiskers came along; he lived for about 10 years. We always had cats and we had a Labrador throughout my childhood. Then I had a gap without pets while I was at university, then Toby was my first dog as an adult.
Q: Have you always wanted to be a vet?
A: My school had a little farm and I loved playing with cows and doing my science subjects, so it was a natural progression for me. I wasn't one of those people who cruised through university, though; I had to work hard. High school was nothing compared to final-year vet school.
Q: How did you get into television?
A: When I finished vet school I wasn't really sure what I wanted to do. I worked for a while doing house calls, but I knew I wasn't going to be happy working in a clinic. So I set about trying to find some kind of public relations job, whether or not that was in television or on a pet magazine. After about seven months of sending résumes here and there, I got a job on Network Ten's
Totally Wild as a researcher, and to present one story a week. After about four years I was just starting to think that it was time to move on when I was approached to do a TV show on the Seven Network with Dr Harry Cooper. I was lucky because they wanted another vet to work with Harry, preferably a girl, and I was the only girl vet on TV! Now we're in our sixth series.
Q: What is a typical week like for you?
A: It varies — some weeks are really hectic; others aren't so bad. I usually film two to three days a week, then do research and publicity on the others.
Q: Are you careful about what you eat, or can you get away with anything?
A: When I was modelling I used to worry about it all the time. But now I don't. I have maintained this size now for about two years. I eat what I want, but I don't eat a lot because I'm running around so much. I try to make sure I always have bananas and yoghurt — something at home I can grab quickly for breakfast. Otherwise I don't end up eating until we've done our shoot, which can be two in the afternoon. I never cook, and I'm proud of it! I don't need to cook. I live in a city that's full of cheap and nutritious takeaway food! I have a great Thai place around the corner from me where they do fantastic stir-fries or steamed veggies with chicken or tofu. I'm not a vegetarian as such, but I really don't eat a lot of meat.
I probably drink a glass of wine most nights and one cup of coffee a day. So I don't have any major vices.
Q: Do you like to keep fit?
A: I try! I go to the gym about three times a week — and I love doing pump classes (weight-training classes set to music). I've had a personal trainer before, but I find I get as much benefit, if I work hard, from doing pump. And here's a great fitness tip I thoroughly recommend: get yourself a working dog ... and you work! I walk and run with Toby all the time. We catch up with his girlfriend, Hannah, and her owner Sue, a couple of times a week, and do a really good power walk for about an hour. I run with Toby, I play soccer with him, I play frisbee with him. No matter what we do, the fact that he just gets me out of the house all the time is wonderful.
For Annette Allison's full interview with Katrina Warren, see the May 2003 issue of GoodMedicine magazine.
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