Cat lovers in Scotland are being invited to nominate their furry friends for the biggest event in the feline year – the National Cat Awards.
Run by the charity Cats Protection, the annual event celebrates the nation’s most marvellous moggies, with heart-warming tales of devotion, courage and companionship.
Entries are now open and owners have until noon on Thursday 12 March to nominate their cat for one of five categories:
- Hero Cat – Cats that save the day
- Most Caring Cat – Cats that positively impact a person’s health or wellbeing
- Furr-ever Friends – Tales of friendship between children and cats
- Outstanding Rescue Cat – Fabulous felines adopted from animal charities
- Purina® Better Together – Celebrating the special bond that has transformed and enriched the lives of both a feline and human.
Last year saw two Scottish finalists win awards at the 2019 National Cat Awards.
Jack, (above) who has now sadly passed away, was the winner in the Hero Cat category, where he was recognised for his ability to sense when his owner, Marcia McSwegan, was about to suffer a seizure, and would alert her family.
Sparky from Clydebank (below) was the winner of the Most Caring Cat Award, honoured in recognition of how she helps owner Kirsty Ayre cope after she developed post-traumatic stress disorder following a series of traumatic events.
Cats Protection’s awards organiser Kate Bunting said: “Cats have a unique take on life, capable of bringing a sense of calm and comfort while also being endlessly entertaining. Their sense of fun and devotion for their owners makes them much-loved pets in millions of homes.
“We’re proud to once again be hosting these awards to celebrate everything we love about cats and we can’t wait to hear about the UK’s most fabulous felines.”
The awards are sponsored by PURINA® and owners of the winning cats will be presented with their trophies at a star-studded daytime ceremony at London’s Savoy Hotel on Thursday 6 August.
The difficult task of choosing the winners will be down to a panel of celebrity cat-lovers and the overall winner – the National Cat of the Year 2020 – will inherit the title from Jeffree, a life-changing moggy from Coventry who helped teenager Finn Hackeson, who has Asperger syndrome, cope with the death of his father.
Broadcaster, writer and cat lover Andrew Collins will be one of the judges selecting the National Cat of the Year. He said: “Cats Protection is a charity that’s close to my heart and I’d do anything for cats, who by their very existence make the world a better place.
“Cats are incredibly giving, and don’t ask much in return other than some food, a stroke under the chin and a bit of quiet.
“I would find it very difficult to go on for long without some quality time with a cat. At any age, from frisky kitten to serene elder cat, they bring only peace.”
Calum Macrae, Regional Director UK & Ireland at PURINA®, said: “At Purina, we’re passionate about enriching the lives of pets and the people who love them so we’re thrilled to be supporting the National Cat Awards for the ninth year.
“The awards are a wonderful celebration of everything we love about cats, shining a spotlight on the incredible bond between pets and owners. We’re looking forward to reading the fantastic entries that Cats Protection will no doubt receive this time around.”
For further information about the awards email nationalcatawards@cats.org.uk
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