Returning as event host for the third year running, novelist and self-confessed cat lady Dawn O’Porter said: “I’m delighted to be hosting this incredible event once again. I can’t wait to hear all the heartwarming, hilarious and awe-inspiring stories about extraordinary cats and their devoted owners. This is the perfect chance to celebrate the amazing ways that our feline friends have changed our lives – it’s the tops for top cats!”

This year’s overall winner will inherit the title from Marley who was named National Cat of the Year 2024 in recognition of the work he has done to comfort women who have been enslaved, exploited and trafficked at Caritas Bakhita House in London.

“The National Cat Awards celebrates the nation’s cats and the extraordinary impact they have on peoples’ lives,” said Advocacy & Influence Director at Cats Protection Jeff Knott. “This year’s finalists have once again shown incredible intuition, empathy and compassion providing loyalty and support when their owners needed it most. The message of all these stories is that cats bring enormous comfort, love and joy, especially at a time of crisis. The awards recognise this incredible bond between cats and people, proving that life is better with cats. All our finalists are worthy winners and I can’t wait to see who the public choose.” 

Category winners will each win a prize package of a trophy, a £200 pet store voucher and a year’s subscription to Cats Protection’s The Cat magazine, with the National Cat of the Year also receiving an overall winner trophy.

Photos of all the finalists can be found here.

Summaries of all the finalists’ stories can be found below.

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For further information or an interview, please contact Cats Protection Media Office on 01825 741 911, at media.office@cats.org.uk, or @CPMediaTeam on X.

National Cat Awards - Finalists

Incredible cats

Void, owned by Laura Welch from Surrey

Void has saved Laura’s life on multiple occasions by alerting her when she is about to have a medical episode. Laura suffers from a heart condition called Inappropriate Sinus Tachycardia (IST) syndrome which causes episodes of pain, dizziness and a really high heart rate. Although not professionally trained, the four-year-old black cat can uncannily sense when it is about to happen and alerts Laura by standing on her chest and tapping her with his paw. He’s also had a positive impact on her mental health.

Laura says: “He’s very protective. The cardiac episodes can flare up multiple times a week, I get a lot of pain, a really high heart rate and get dizzy like I’m going to pass out. I don’t know where he learnt it but Void knows to alert me before it happens. He sprints over at full speed and gently taps me over and over again until he sees that I’m listening. I’m really thankful because I’ve collapsed at the top of the stairs before but, if I know it is going to happen, I can go and lie down and call my mum. I was in bed once and Void sprinted up the stairs at full speed and stood on top of my chest as if to say ‘stay here!’. I woke up 10 minutes later and he was sat right by my head and I realised I’d had a seizure. I trust him, I really do.”

Mitts, owned by Louise Brinton-Clarke of Blaenau Ffestiniog, North Wales

Mitts helped Louise get her life back on track after she became homeless following her marriage break up.

Louise says: “I was in a difficult relationship and left with just my car and suitcase. I was homeless for six months and ended up sleeping in my car before I got my flat. The first night was terrible. I was just sitting in this massive living room with a tiny armchair on my own. I had no internet or TV, no access to the outside world. Then Mitts came along and I had another soul with me. She’s extremely loving and quite bossy. If I haven’t gone to bed by half eleven, she’s standing there meowing with this look on her face. If Mitts wasn’t here, I could go days, even weeks, without speaking to another person. But she needs me, I have to go out to buy her food and make sure she’s ok. She is just a little cat and asks for nothing but she gives so much.”

Magnus, owned by Sandra Harrild from Suffolk

Magnus, a six-year-old pedigree Maine Coon, helped Sandra and her husband, Bernard, through a difficult time following the sudden loss of their daughter, Victoria, 41, who went into hospital for a minor operation and developed sepsis. Magnus sensed when they needed comfort and would wrap himself around their ankles, brushing them with his tail.

Sandra says: “Magnus seemed to know that something terrible had happened and he seemed to understand who needed him most, following them around and sitting with them.

“My son and grandchildren adore him and if one of us is feeling down, he wraps himself around their feet and brushes them with his tail. He has taken to sleeping with us at night now, so neither of us have any bed clothes because he’s stretched out like a bolster down the middle with his little arms and legs out. He’s got great big feet and claws and quite expressive fangs but he’s very friendly and incredibly patient. He’s also nosy. If anyone comes to the house, he has a good look at them and a good sniff. We always have to check if it’s a tradesman to make sure he hasn’t jumped in the back of the van.”

Family cats

Magic, owned by Jon Andrews from Woking, Surrey

Jon, 43, and his fiancé, Lara, were looking forward to spending the rest of their lives together when Magic moved in. Then, suddenly, Jon’s life changed overnight when Lara was admitted to hospital with Covid and died two weeks later. Jon was completely devastated and credits seven-year-old Magic for getting him through. The black-and-white cat was a constant companion, providing comfort and support, helping Jon piece his life back together. Jon has found love again but will always be grateful to Magic, who remains a link to Lara. 

Jon says: “Magic is a very special cat to me. Losing Lara was life changing and he knew that I was grieving and made sure he was always there for me, giving me cuddles and helping me through the dark times. The house would have felt a lot emptier without him. I was used to sharing the house with Lara - all her stuff was there but she wasn’t - and Magic sensed when I needed support and would give me a head butt or lick my arm. I found myself talking to him, trying to process things and he knew how to cheer me up. We have this way of communicating where I sort of wink and he winks back. He’s had his own health complications but he’s come through and been a constant rock. He’s become part of the family and cheers up my mum, who has her own health issues. He’s my best friend as well as a loyal companion. We have an unbreakable bond.”

Noghli, owned by Namdar Baghaei-Yazdi and his mother, Parvin, from Maida Vale, West London

Noghli has transformed life for Namdar and his 90-year-old mother, Parvin, who is in the early stages of dementia. Namdar used to worry about his mother being alone all day while he was out at work but the two-year-old pale tabby Noghli has lifted her spirits and made her smile again. He has provided companionship and a positive distraction. 

Namdar says: “Noghli is really dear to us and has changed our lives. My mum, unfortunately, has been diagnosed with dementia which is slowly progressing. My mum is a very good cook and used to run her own patisserie business and she was getting very upset that she couldn’t remember recipes. Noghli has made her laugh again and he’s made her really happy. We are originally from Iran where cats are extremely popular and mum named him Noghli - which is a Persian name for sweet sugar. We’ve had cats before but he’s exceptionally naughty and playful. My mum loves playing with him and whenever we go out, she wants to go back home to be with Noghli. I lecture in the university and I used to worry about leaving mum alone during the day. Having Noghli there is a blessing, he’s wonderful company. The positive energy that this cat has brought to both of us has been tremendous.”

Rocky, owned by Abbie Evans from Derby

Abbie’s son, Thomas, was four years old when he chose Rocky and Rocky has repaid his loyalty. Whether Thomas is eating his breakfast, doing homework, having tea or watching TV, Rocky is right by his side. Rocky may look a bit of a bruiser but he’s a softie at heart and likes nothing more than amusing the rest of the family by winding up Abbie’s husband, Martin. The seven-year-old Tabby wakes him up in the morning by walking over his head and sits right in the middle of the drive so he can never park the car. Rocky also has a penchant for gourmet food and likes drinking from the tap in the downstairs toilet.

Abbie says: “We’ve had Rocky since he was a rescue kitten. My son, Thomas, chose him because he liked his name and it’s as if he knows. He’s extremely loyal, he sits with Thomas and his younger sister, Lucie, while they’re having their breakfast every morning and literally has his head over the edge of Thomas’s cereal bowl. As soon as Thomas comes home from school, Rocky runs downstairs to greet him and then sits beside his laptop while Thomas does his homework. Rocky, or Mr Rocks as we call him, loves to be with us, whether it’s a barbecue or sitting at the kitchen island having our evening meal. He’s also good at winding up my husband, Martin – sitting in the middle of the driveway so he can’t get the car in. If Rocky knows there is something he can do, he will do it. Rocky has brought so much fun, love and laughter to our family.”

Connected cats

Callie, owned by Sally Mcdonald from Surrey

Three-year-old rescue cat, Callie, has captured the hearts of people all over the world with her cute and quirky personality and daily routines. She has more than 134k followers on Instagram and fans as far away as Australia. But when Sally went through a tough time following surgery for endometriosis and a relationship break up, Callie was right by her side.

Sally says: “I had a tough year. I broke up with my partner and Callie got me through. We already had a strong bond but after the break-up, it became even stronger. She was my little shadow and companion, following me everywhere. Learning to live alone was quite a hard transition. I would talk to her and tell her my problems and she became quite chatty back. Then, six months later, I had surgery for endometriosis. I’d had symptoms for at least three years and multiple scans which hadn’t picked it up. When I was recovering, Callie wouldn’t leave my side. There were days I was in really bad pain and she’d place her paws on me, looking at me in a concerned and loving way. She brought me so much comfort. We’d watch films and TV together, she was a massive support. I don’t think I would have got through the last year without her. She just brings so much joy and love to me and the world.”

Fizz, owned by Briony Loder from Mid Wales

Four-year-old, Fizz is such a wanderer, he has his own Facebook page with 1.6k friends watching his every move. He’s trekked all over town, visiting newsagents, gym, bank, job centre, library, British Legion, the bingo, and even appeared on stage at the local theatre, sneaking in the back door, then wandering out from backstage when Kaleb Cooper from Clarkson’s Farm was mid-performance. The only time he stayed home was when his brother, Bubbles, got run over outside the house and he sat by the kitchen window for two weeks and barely moved. Fizz is a ginger cat with attitude and the town has taken him to their hearts.

Briony says: “Fizz started disappearing when he was nine months old. We were driving around looking for him everywhere, so we set up a Facebook page asking people to post a photo if they saw him. My phone is never silent. Fizz just loves to follow people. It doesn’t matter if they’re going five minutes or four miles, he’ll follow them. He pulled a three-nighter once and ended up in a pub five miles away. We’ve had the postman drive up with the post before and drop off the cat. Fizz has no fears and no boundaries. As far as Fizz is concerned, the town is his. He gets up at five in the morning, meows like mad until one of us gets up and lets him out, then he’s off. He does what he wants, when he wants, I’ve just got to accept he’s a natural-born wanderer. He adores people and loves attention.” 

Kiki, owned by Michelle Scott from Glasgow

Two-year-old Kiki follows Michelle’s son and his friends to school every day, waits in the playground, then follows them back home again. The black-and-white cat is such a familiar face at the school gates, she is known by all the children and won praise from the head for her ‘100 per cent’ attendance. She’s brought the school community together and provided a valuable talking point, helping the children learn about cats and how to treat them.

Michelle says: “I’ve always had cats but Kiki is like no cat I’ve known. We got her as a kitten for my son Sonny’s eighth birthday and, whenever he had friends around, she would sit with them as if she was one of them. She’s really sociable. She follows Sonny and his friends to school every day, waits around the playground, then follows them home again. She’s often sleeping or half awake when Sonny is getting ready for school but, as soon as she hears him leave, she’ll jump off the bed and run downstairs to go after him. Then, if they stop and faff about she’ll run on in front as if to say, ‘Come on!’. She’s brought a lot of joy to the children, staff and school community and given the teachers an opportunity to teach children how to treat cats and respect them.”

Senior cats

Carrot, owned by Charlotte and Rob Warren from Hereford

As a senior cat with only three remaining teeth, Carrot had given up hope of leaving the rescue centre, until Charlotte and Rob requested the ‘saddest cat’ that no one wanted. The bond was instant. Carrot has been with them through all their life milestones, even when they had to move into a caravan while waiting to move house. The 22-year-old ginger cat remained stoic and playful throughout, bringing joy and a welcome distraction at a time of crisis.

Charlotte says: “We thought we’d only be in the caravan a couple of weeks but it turned into a seven-month stint. It was really tough because it was tiny, we had no hot water, toilet or cooking facilities and Carrot stuck with us through the entire thing. There were days when it was utterly miserable, chucking down with rain and we’d come home and find her happy little face greeting us at the door She didn’t wander off and kept us entertained despite her age, jumping out of the window, running around the caravan then jumping back in again as if she was on a fairground ride. Then, in summer, the three of us would sit outside and have dinner on sun loungers. She is feisty and speaks her mind but is so loving. If I could be an advocate for adopting older cats, I would, she has brought so much joy.”

Mitzi, owned by Georgina Chapple from Aylsham in North Norfolk

Georgina’s rescue cat Mitzi not only knew she was pregnant but detected she had cancer. The 14-year-old tabby kept Georgina company throughout, providing comfort and support and even making her smile. For a little cat, she is bold and fearless and loves the element of surprise, creeping up on Georgina’s husband, Matt, and pouncing on his leg whenever he walks into the kitchen. She is known as ‘crazy cat’.

Georgina says: “Mitzi has been part of our lives since we adopted her at nine months and she’s like a cat version of Florence Nightingale; if anyone is ill or feeling a bit groggy, she’s there. She kept cuddling into my tummy and she’d never done that before, then shortly after, we found out I was pregnant. She slept on or right next to my bump until quite late on in the pregnancy, then took up a guard post by the bedroom door, keeping an eye on me and the stairs. Then, five years later, she started to snuggle into my armpit. It was completely out of character. A few weeks later, I was diagnosed with breast cancer. Throughout my surgery, chemo and radiotherapy she knew when I needed her, even if it was just to keep my feet warm.”

Panzer, owned by Joanne and Matt Booker from Didcot in Oxfordshire

Despite his own challenges, 17-year-old black cat Panzer supported Joanne through one of the most challenging times of her life. Not only during a complicated pregnancy but also when baby Finn needed a life-saving blood transfusion shortly after his birth. When Joanne suffered post-natal depression, it was Panzer who knew what to do, keeping her company during night feeds and giving reassurance at a lonely time.

Joanne says: “Panzer was 13 when we adopted him and he’d been in the shelter some time. He suffered from anxiety and had over groomed so we felt sorry for him and took him in. Within a couple of months, he was off his medication, his fur had grown back and he was zooming around the house. He’s got a lovely coat now and likes to take good care of it. Panzer is a bit of a character and always up for fuss and strokes. He greets us with little chirps and silent meows. He’s also very caring. As a first-time mum, I found it quite lonely and overwhelming. Panzer seemed to know when I needed a bit of comfort and having him there for cuddles was really reassuring. If he wasn’t cuddling up, he was keeping an eye on us the whole time. Panzer is also very good with the baby; he sits next to Finn when he’s on his play mat and Finn smiles at him.”