Finalists announced in this year’s National Cat Awards 

Fifteen fabulous felines have been announced as finalists in this year’s National Cat Awards, the UK’s annual celebration of heroism, survival and companionship in the cat world.

From fun-loving felines who help children face major challenges to miraculous moggies who provide a lifeline in medical emergencies, the finalists are all in the running to be named Cats Protection’s National Cat of the Year 2019.

This year’s top cat will follow in the pawprints of previous winner Theo, who raised the alarm when his owner developed a potentially fatal blood clot.

The finalists in this year’s Awards include:

• Monty, the caring puss who helped young newly-weds cope with the final few months of a tragic battle with terminal cancer.

• Intuitive Walter, who raises the alarm when his owner suffers a diabetic seizure

• Jethro, who helped his owner overcome serious mental health issues to lead an independent life against the odds.

• Loving Chi, who helps an eight-year-old boy with autism cope with everyday life.

• Cisco, who has helped his 14-year-old owner cope with anxiety and move forward with life after being the victim of a mugging.

• Loyal Sparky, who helped her owner cope with Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder after she was blinded in one eye during a random attack.

Cats Protection’s National Cat Awards, organised by the UK’s largest cat charity and sponsored by PURINA®, is an annual celebration of the real-life stories of heroism, loyalty and companionship in the feline world.

The finalists’ owners now need to wait until Thursday 8 August when winners will be announced at an awards ceremony at London’s Savoy, an event attended by celebrities including entrepreneur Deborah Meaden, former England goalkeeper David Seaman and his wife, Dancing on Ice star Frankie Seaman.

Awards organiser Kate Bunting said: “From young children to pensioners, cats have a very special place in the hearts and homes of all sorts of people. The Awards are a great opportunity to celebrate everything we love about cats and the positive effect they have on our lives.”

Winners will be selected in five categories – Hero Cat, Most Caring Cat, Furr-ever Friends, Outstanding Rescue Cat and PURINA^® Better Together – before one is crowned the National Cat of the Year 2019.

Each category winner will receive a trophy, a £100 pet store voucher, a year’s subscription to Cats Protection’s The Cat magazine and a three months’ supply of PURINA^® cat food.

A Star Team category will also celebrate the achievements of dedicated volunteers from Cats Protection who have made a positive impact on feline welfare.

Calum Macrae, Regional Director UK & Ireland at PURINA^®, said: “The National Cat Awards is a wonderful celebration of everything we love about cats, in particular shining a spotlight on the incredible bond that can exist between pets and owners. At Purina, we’re passionate about enriching the lives of pets and the people who love them, so we’re thrilled to support the National Cat Awards once again this year.

“All the finalists are truly inspiring and go to show the hugely positive impact cats can have on people’s lives, for all sorts of reasons. From providing fun and friendship to being there for comfort and companionship, and even to sometimes saving lives. It’s no wonder that cats have earned a special place in our hearts and homes.”

Cats Protection is the UK’s leading feline welfare charity and helps around 200,000 cats and kittens each year through its national network of over 250 volunteer-run branches and 36 centres.