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National Cat Awards finalists announced
Marley lives in a home for women escaping modern slavery.
Cats Protection will celebrate the bonds cats make with people.

Cats Protection has revealed the finalists in its annual National Cat Awards competition.

Voting has already launched for the competition, with cat lovers having until 30 August to vote for their favourite finalists.

There are four categories in this year’s competition: Connected Cats, Family Cats, Senior Cats and Incredible Cats. The category winners and the overall National Cat of the Year, which is decided by a panel of judges, will be announced during a ceremony at London’s One Marylebone on 18 September.

There are 11 cats nominated for awards.

Among the nominees is Marley, who lives in a home for women escaping modern slavery. There is also Cilla, a stray who moved into a primary school, who calms pupils before their SATs and has raised £5,000 to restock the library.

Also in the running is Marmaduke. Marmaduke has been providing his owner with support as they recover from the trauma of working as an emergency ambulance technician at the Manchester Arena during the 2017 attack.

The category winners will be presented with a prize package which includes a trophy, a £200 pet store voucher and a year’s subscription to Cats Protection’s The Cat magazine.

The National Cat of the Year will also be presented with an overall winner trophy.

Last year’s National Cat of the Year was Zebby. Zebby was recognised for the support he gives his deaf owner, Genevieve Moss, by alerting her to noises around the home.

This year’s winners will be announced by Dawn O’Porter, a best-selling author and TV presenter.

Ms O’Porter said: “I’m so pleased to be back to present the National Cat Awards again this year, I love hearing the amazing stories about the nominated cats and learning how these incredible animals have made lives better for their families.

“It really is the ultimate event for cat people.”

Catherine Cottrell, marketing and income generation director from Cats Protection, said: “The National Cat Awards is an annual celebration of the nation’s love of cats and this year we received over 1,500 entries. Some of our finalists have shown incredible intuition in understanding their owners’ needs; others are total extroverts, becoming local celebrities.

“Then there are the plucky pusses like William, undaunted by losing a leg, and Miss Dave Mittens who is (nearly) as sprightly as a kitten at the grand old age of 21. The central message of all the stories is that cats are cherished family members who add so much love to their owners’ lives. I can’t wait to see who the public chooses as their winners.”

For a full list of finalists, and to vote for your favourite, visit the voting page.

Image © Cats Protection

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Prof Joanne Webster elected as Fellow of the Royal Society

News Story 1
 Joanne Webster, a professor of parasitic diseases at the RVC, has been elected as a Fellow of the Royal Society (FRS).

An infectious disease expert, Prof Webster is known for promoting a One Health approach to disease control.

She completed her doctoral research in zoonotic disease and parasite-host interactions, and has since earned widespread recognition for contributions to parasitology and global health.

Prof Webster said: "I am truly honoured, and somewhat stunned, to be recognised alongside such an exceptional group of scientists." 

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News Shorts
Germany FMD import restrictions eased

The UK government has lifted the import restrictions placed on FMD-susceptible commodities from Germany.

The decision comes after the country was recognised as foot-and-mouth disease free without vaccination on 14 May.

Imports of FMD-susceptible animals and their by-products from Germany were originally banned, after the country reported a case of FMD near Brandenburg in January. In March, the UK government permitted imports from outside of the outbreak zone.

Germany will now be able to import FMD-susceptible animals and their by-products into the UK, providing they meet other import conditions.

The decision follows rigorous technical assessment of measures in Germany. Defra says it will not hesitate respond to FMD outbreaks.