Every two years, Cats Protection holds its prestigious Rescue Cat Awards – also known as the Feline Oscars. The awards celebrate the real life stories of survival, bravery and heroism in the cat world and the following celebrities have given us invaluable support by acting as MCs or judges.
Anthony Head – the actor presented the Best Friends award in 2006 to a feline who helps her owner Alexandra to cope with a painful disability. “Magic’s story really touched us,” both Anthony and his partner, Sarah Fisher, said. “Her support for Alexandra when she needed her most is incredible and truly reflects the amazing bond we have with our pets.”
Photo by Paul Keevil
Sally Gunnell – The former British Olympic athlete judged the Best Friends category in 2008 and presented the award to Kizzy, a cat who provides love and support to her owner who suffers from Aspergers Syndrome. “I own three cats that had initially been found abandoned, and I feel lucky to have them because they have brought a lot of love, joy and comfort to myself and my family,” she said.
Photo by Philippa Gedge
Sarah-Jane Honeywell – The presenter and actress is one of the most well-known faces on CBeebies TV. Sarah-Jane once played a kitten in the West End musical “Cats” and owns three Birman cats – Aslan, Zazel and Gandalf. She regularly lends her support to Cats Protection – most recently as a celebrity judge in 2010.
Photo by Philippa Gedge
Lesley Joseph – Actress and radio presenter Lesley (best known for playing Dorien Green in the sitcom ‘Birds of a Feather’) has two cats - Lily and Tiggy. She kindly supported us in 2010 by presenting the award to Marmite who scooped the overall Rescue Cat of the Year title in the charity’s Rescue Cat Awards.
Photo by Philippa Gedge
Iain Lee – The comedian and presenter helped us by presenting the Best Friends prize to rescue cat Oscar in 2010. Iain was impressed with the way Oscar has transformed the atmosphere at the Mount Care Home in Walgrave, Reading. He said: “I picked Oscar as my winner because he helps a group of people all at the same time. He clearly brings a lot of joy to the elderly residents who live at the care home.” Iain has a cat called Velvet.
Photo by Philippa Gedge
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Tim Vincent – The TV presenter has three rescue cats and has very kindly stepped in as a judge and MC. “As someone who has supported Cats Protection for a long time, I’m pleased to be supporting these Awards and hope they encourage more people to adopt a rescue cat,” he said in 2008.
Photo by Philippa Gedge