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Read the full terms and conditions before entering your cat for the National Cat Awards.

Full terms

These terms and conditions prevail in the event of any conflict or inconsistency with any other communications, including advertising or promotional materials. Entry instructions are deemed to form part of the terms and conditions and all participants agree to be bound by these terms and conditions. Please retain a copy for your information.

Promoter: Cats Protection, National Cat Centre, Chelwood Gate, Haywards Heath RH17 7TT

Section 1: Eligibility

  1. All cats entered into the competition must be alive and living in the UK at point of application.
  2. All owners (entrants) and cats entered into the competition must be available for photography and filming between the time of entry and the point of judging and agree to being contacted directly by the videographer selected by Cats Protection.
  3. All entrants will be asked if they are comfortable with their story appearing in the media (for example newspapers, magazines, radio and/or TV) and will be asked to confirm this in writing.
  4. The competition is only open to residents of the UK (England, Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland only). It is not open to Channel Islands, Isle of Man or Republic of Ireland residents.
  5. Entrants must be aged 18 or over and the competition excludes employees, volunteers and their immediate families of the Promoter, its agents or anyone else professionally connected to the competition. For the avoidance of doubt this does not include vets or clinics that the Promoter works with in carrying out its main aims.
  6. If a story for a specific category relates to a specific event, this must have happened since 1 January 2021.
  7. Online entry only, internet access required.
  8. No purchase necessary to enter. Only one entry per household. Maximum of one prize per person and cat. Entries (bulk or otherwise) made from trade, consumer groups or third parties will not be accepted. No entries from agents, third parties, organised groups, syndicates or applications automatically generated by computer will be accepted. No incomplete, illegible, defaced, invalid or corrupted entries, or entries from multiple accounts, will be included in the judging. Proof of sending will not be accepted as proof of delivery. The Promoter takes no responsibility for entries delayed, incomplete or lost due to technical reasons or otherwise. In the event of this clause being breached, the entrant will be disqualified and any prize awarded will be void. Any malicious or manipulative attempt to influence the prize awards will result in disqualification at the sole discretion of the Promoter. If there is any reason to believe that there has been a breach of these terms and conditions or incorrect, illegible, fraudulent or other invalid or improper information has been provided, the Promoter may, at its sole discretion, refuse to fulfil the prizes.

Section 2: Promotional period

  1. Competition is open to entries between 10am 13 February 2024 and noon on 26 March 2024 (the Competition Entry Period). All entries received outside the Promotional Period will not be accepted.

Section 3: Entry requirements

  1. To enter the competition, participants must visit cats.org.uk/nca and fill out the online entry form providing their full name, email address, phone number, a photo of their cat, selected entry category and provide a 200 word max reason for their choice of cat. For the Connected Cats category, we will also ask for the cat’s social media profile URL where relevant.
  2. Entrants must choose which one of the following five categories they wish to enter:
    - Family Cats. We share our lives with cats. They keep us company. They soothe and amuse us. They’re part of the family. Can’t imagine family life without your cat? We’re looking for cats that make family life complete. 
    - Incredible Cats. Has your cat done something truly extraordinary? Maybe they’ve survived against the odds, been with you through a difficult illness, returned home after an epic adventure, or maybe even saved your life. Tells us your incredible tales of brilliance. 
    - Senior Cats. Lap cats. Wise cats. Mature cats. Is your cat thriving in their golden years? We’re looking for senior cats who have stayed by your side through the good, the bad and all the times in between.
    - Connected Cats. Friendly cats. Community cats. Does your cat appear online? They might have their own large social media following or regularly pop up on your local community page. However well-connected they are, we’re celebrating cats that bring joy and happiness into our everyday lives. 
    - Vet of the Year. Has your vet provided outstanding cat care? Or maybe they’ve gone out of their way to support you to make your cat more comfortable in their care. We’re celebrating vets who are performing exceptional work for cats.
  3. The same entry cannot be submitted twice, either by the original entrant or by another person, and neither the cat, not their owner can have been shortlisted as a finalist in this competition or in any previous Cats Protection award competitions.
  4. All entries must be original and no more than 200 words. Entries must be about the entrant’s own domestic cat and cannot:
    - be violent, negative or/and discriminative of any ethnic, racial, gender, religious, professional or age group, or be profane or obscene
    - promote or be about the use of illegal drugs, tobacco, any activities that may appear unsafe or dangerous, or any particular political agenda or message
    be offensive or be about hate
    - defame, misrepresent or contain negative remarks about the Promoter or its products, other people, products or companies
    - contain mention of trademarks or copyrighted material owned by others or advertise or promote any brand or product of any kind, without permission, or contain any personal identification, such as licence plate numbers, personal names, email addresses or street addresses
    contain copyrighted materials owned by others without permission
    - contain materials embodying the names, likenesses, photographs, or other indicia identifying any person, living or dead, other than the participant, without permission
    - communicate messages or images inconsistent with the positive images and/or goodwill to which the Promoter wishes to associate or contains any images of children
    - depict, and cannot itself be in, violation of any law
    show any cat in a harmful situation whether demonstrating signs of anger, hostility or discomfort, or be about a cat living in unsuitable conditions that are therefore not in line with our welfare guidelines

    Any inappropriate or offensive material may be reported to the appropriate authorities.
  5. Vet of the Year nominations are for vets who provide care for cats. This includes vets without a direct association to Cats Protection. It can also include vets who look after cats in the care of Cats Protection, vets who have helped with the Cats Protection neutering scheme, vets who have fundraised for Cats Protection, vets who have volunteered with or supported the education programme of Cats Protection or a local vet who’s provided outstanding cat care.
  6. Except for the Connected Cats category:
    By participating in the promotion, the entrants license grant the promoter a royalty free, worldwide, irrevocable and sub-licensable right to use, reproduce, modify, adapt, publish and display the submitted content for the purpose of this and future Cats Protection National Cat Awards competitions, in any media, without compensation, restriction on use, attribution or liability. Entrants agree not to assert any moral rights in relation to such use where the moral rights in respect of the content are theirs to assert.

Section 4: Winner selection and notification

  1. All entries will first be verified for eligibility and any ineligible entries will be discarded. The shortlisting panel, which will include at least one independent judge, will then review eligible entries based on their creativity and originality in conveying the category as outlined in Section 3 Clause 2. The Promoter reserves the right to move entries into different categories if they feel that is more relevant or appropriate for the entrant. The entire finalist shortlisting process will take place between 2 April 2024 and 9 April 2024. Three finalists for each category (together with a number of reserves in case of finalists not wishing to proceed) will be selected by the shortlisting panel. All finalists will be contacted by phone and/or the email address they have provided on their original entry by 16 April 2024 to notify them of their shortlisting and confirm their acceptance.  Entrants are encouraged to monitor their communications during this time. Winners will be determined, from the final shortlist, by a public vote, apart from the Vet of the Year category which will be determined by a judging panel, as outlined in Section 5 Clause 2.
  2. If a finalist:
    - does not respond by phone or email within seven calendar days from the Promoter’s first notification that they are a category finalist, or
    - does not accept the Promoter’s invitation to the Cats Protection National Cat Awards where the winners will be announced, or
    - does not wish to be part of a public vote, or
    - rejects their shortlisting, or
    - is otherwise ineligible
    the Promoter reserves the right to withdraw their entry and shortlist another finalist based on the next highest rated category entry. The process will repeat until an eligible entrant is able to confirm their shortlisting and provide the requested details.

Photography and filming of each cat category finalist will take place between mid-April and mid-July 2024. Finalists for the cat categories will be contacted mid-April to agree a time and date for photography and filming (to take place at cat’s home address and potentially locations featured in their story). Photography and filming for Vet of the Year will be for the winning finalist only.

Section 5: Voting and judging

  1. After the completion of the public vote, all four cat category winners will then be reviewed by a panel of National Cat Awards independent judges to determine one overall ‘National Cat of the Year’. The overall winner judging will take place on 3 September 2024.
  2. The Vet of the Year nominations will be reviewed by a panel of National Cat Awards independent judges to determine one winner. The overall winner judging will take place between end of March and end of May. Entrants are encouraged to monitor their email account during this time in case they are a winner.
  3. The four cat category winners and the overall ‘National Cat of the Year’ will be announced at the Cats Protection National Cat Awards at One Marylebone, London on 18 September 2024. All category finalists and one guest will be invited to attend the awards ceremony. The invitation to attend will include canapes and drinks for two people. Travel, accommodation and any other expenses incurred will be the responsibility of the finalists. Finalists must be 18 or over but may bring a minor as their guest if they have the permission of their parent or guardian. Any winner who is unable to attend will be notified of their win by email within 48 hours of the awards ceremony. Entrants are encouraged to monitor their email account during this time in case they are a winner.
  4. The Vet of the Year winner will be presented at the Cats Protection National Cat Awards at One Marylebone, London on 18 September 2024. The winner and one guest will be invited to attend the awards ceremony. The invitation to attend will include canapes and drinks for two people. Travel, accommodation and any other expenses incurred will be the responsibility of the winner. The winner must be 18 or over but may bring a minor as their guest if they have the permission of their parent or guardian. 
  5. If any element of this promotion is delayed or affected due to a pandemic public health condition or other event that may result in government restrictions, any affected entrants will be contacted by the Promoter and kept updated of any unavoidable changes to the competition, awards event or prize.

Section 6: Prize

  1. The four category winners and the Vet of the Year winner will each win a prize package consisting of a trophy, a £200 voucher and a year’s subscription to The Cat magazine by Cats Protection. The terms and conditions of the store voucher will be provided after winner confirmation. The winner of National Cat of the Year will also receive an additional overall winning trophy but no further monetary prizes. If winners are unable to attend the event then the prize package will be posted to their address via Royal Mail signed for delivery within 28 days of being notified of their win.
  2. No cash or other alternative prize will be provided in whole or in part, except that in the event of circumstances outside of its control the Promoter reserves the right to substitute a similar prize, or part of the prize, of equal or greater value. 

Section 7: General

  1. The Promoter reserves the right to change the date and/or venue of the awards ceremony in the event of circumstances beyond its control. There is no alternative in part or whole, or in cash or otherwise if the finalist and their guest are unable to attend the awards ceremony.
  2. The Promoter reserves the right to move entries to an alternative category to the one entered if this is considered more appropriate based on the category descriptions.
  3. It is the responsibility of the entrant to provide correct, up-to-date details when entering the promotion and on shortlisting notification. The Promoter cannot be held responsible for entrants failing to supply accurate information which affects their entry.
  4. Limitations of liability:
    The Promoter, its agents or anyone professionally connected to the promotion, cannot assume any responsibility or liability for:
    - any incorrect or inaccurate personal data entry, or for any faulty or failed electronic data transmissions
    - communications line failure, regardless of cause, with regards to any equipment, systems, networks, lines, satellites, servers, computers or providers utilised in any aspect of this promotion
    - inaccessibility or unavailability of the internet
    Regretfully, the Promoter cannot be held liable for system failures with access to the promotional site.
  5. The Promoter and its associated agencies and companies will not be liable for any loss (including, without limitation, indirect, special or consequential loss or loss of profits), expense or damage which is suffered or sustained (whether or not arising from any person’s negligence) in connection with this promotion or accepting or using the prize, except for any liability which cannot be excluded by law (including personal injury, death and fraud) in which case that liability is limited to the minimum allowable by law.

Section 8: Conduct of entry

  • The Promoter reserves the right, in its sole and absolute discretion, to disqualify and remove any entries that do not comply with these terms and conditions.
  • All entries must be the entrant’s own original work and must not infringe the copyright or other intellectual property rights of any third party. Any entry found to infringe the rights of any third party or found to be copied, or the work of someone else, will be disqualified.
  1. Prize winners agree to execute any further such paperwork as may be necessary to give full effect to these terms and conditions.
  2. The Promoter reserves the right to verify all entries and the winners, including but not limited to asking for proof of address, proof of cat ownership, and ID (passport, driving licence or equivalent) which they must provide within seven days. The Promoter can refuse to award a prize or withdraw prize entitlement and/or refuse further participation in the promotion and disqualify the participant where there are reasonable grounds to believe there has been a breach of these terms and conditions or any instructions forming part of this promotion’s entry requirements or otherwise where a participant has gained unfair advantage in participating in the promotion or won using fraudulent means. The Promoter will be the final arbiter in any decisions and these will be binding and no correspondence will be entered into.
  3. The finalists and winners will be requested to participate in related publicity with no further recompense.
  4. For the surnames and counties of residence of the category winners and the ‘National Cat of the Year’ winner, email nationalcatawards@cats.org.uk within three months of the awards event date (18 September 2024). Entrants can object to disclosure, or request that disclosure be limited in scope by contacting nationalcatawards@cats.org.uk We may nevertheless disclose the information to the Advertising Standards Authority if required to do so.
  5. Any question concerning the legal interpretation of the rules will be based on English law and the Courts of England and Wales will have jurisdiction, unless you live in another part of the UK, in which case your local courts will have jurisdiction.
  6. If any of these clauses should be determined to be illegal, invalid or otherwise unenforceable then it shall be severed and deleted from these terms and conditions and the remaining clauses shall survive and remain in full force and effect.
  7. The Promoter’s decision is final and binding in all promotional matters and no correspondence will be entered into.
  8. If for any reason any aspect of this promotion is not capable of running as planned, including by reason of infection by computer virus, network failure, traffic congestion, bugs, tampering, unauthorised intervention, fraud, technical failures or any other cause beyond the control of the Promoter which corrupts or affects the administration, security, fairness, integrity or proper conduct of this promotion, the Promoter may in its sole discretion modify or suspend the promotion or invalidate any affected entries. If an act, omission, event or circumstance occurs which is beyond the reasonable control of the Promoter and which prevents the Promoter from complying with these terms and conditions, the Promoter will not be liable for any failure to perform or delay in performing its obligation but will always endeavour to minimise the effect to participants in order to avoid undue disappointment.
  9. The Promoter will only use the personal details supplied for the administration of the promotion and for no other purpose, unless we have your consent. Your personal details will at all times be kept confidential and in accordance with applicable data protection law. View the Promoter’s Privacy Policy. You can request access to your personal data, or have any inaccuracies rectified, by sending an email to dataprotection@cats.org.uk By participating in the promotion, you agree to the use of your personal data as described here.
  10. Unsuccessful entrants’ details will be held for three months after the close of the promotion before deletion. Shortlisted entrants’ details will be held for three months after the awards event date and will not be held beyond this or transferred to any third party without the consent of the entrant.
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