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Finalists revealed for National Cat Awards 2025
Magnus the long-haired Maine Coone who helps his owners cope with their grief.

The winners will be announced in September. 

A tabby who detected cancer and a Maine Coone who helps his owners cope with grief have been named finalists in the 2025 National Cat Awards.

This year there are 12 cats competing in the awards, which celebrate moggies that go above and beyond during times of need. They include:

Mitts – an affectionate tabby who helped her owner turn her life around after becoming homeless
Mitzi – the fluffy tabby who detected cancer and provides comfort
Magnus – the long-haired Maine Coone who helps his owners cope with their grief
Fizz – the ginger boy with attitude who loves to wander and once ended up in a pub five miles away.

The finalists are divided into the four categories of Connected Cat, Family Cats, Senior Cats and Incredible Cats, with the winners chosen by a panel of judges. 

Last year’s overall winner was Marley, who was recognised for his work at Caritas Bakhita safe house for women who have been trafficked, enslaved or exploited. 

Jeff Knott, advocacy & influence director at Cats Protection, said: “The National Cat Awards celebrates the nation’s cats and the extraordinary impact they have on peoples’ lives. 

“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."

He added: "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.

Voting is now open and cat lovers have until midday on 31 July to vote for their favourite finalist by visiting cats.org.uk/nca. The winners will be announced at a ceremony in London on 24 September. 

Image (C) Cats Protection.

 

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Practices urged to audit neutering data

News Story 1
 RCVS Knowledge has called on vet practices to audit their post-operative neutering outcomes.

It follows the release of the 2024 NASAN benchmarking report, which collates data from neutering procedures performed on dogs, cats and rabbits.

The benchmarking report enables practices in the UK and Ireland to compare their post-operative outcomes to the national average. This includes the rate of patients lost to follow-up, which in 2024 increased to 23 per cent.

Anyone from the practice can submit the data using a free template. The deadline for next report is February 2026.

Visit the RCVS Knowledge website to complete an audit. 

Click here for more...
News Shorts
UK's BSE risk status downgraded

The WOAH has downgraded the UK's international risk status for BSE to 'negligible'.

Defra says that the UK's improved risk status recognises the reputation for having the highest standards for biosecurity. It adds that it demonstrates decades of rigorous animal control.

Outbreaks of Bovine Spongiform Encephalopathy, also known as mad cow disease, have previously resulted in bans on Britain's beef exports.

The UK's new status could lead to expanded trade and better confidence in British beef.

Christine Middlemiss, the UK's chief veterinary officer, said: "WOAH's recognition of the UK as negligible risk for BSE is a significant milestone and is a testament to the UK's strong biosecurity measures and the hard work and vigilance of farmers and livestock keepers across the country who have all played their part in managing the spread of this disease.