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Last chance to nominate your favourite felines
Cat lovers have until the 28 February to submit their nominations.

National awards to celebrate extraordinary cats.

With less than two weeks until nominations close, Cats Protection is calling on the public to enter their extraordinary cat into this year’s National Cat Awards.

The National Cat Awards is an annual celebration that highlights stories of courage, devotion and companionship, showcasing the unique role felines have in their owners' lives.

Cats Protection’s advocacy & influence Director Jeff Knott said: “We’re looking for truly remarkable cat stories – tales of cats who have changed lives, shown incredible resilience or formed deep, unshakable bonds with their humans. Every year, we’re amazed by the inspiring entries and we can’t wait to hear about the cats who have made a real impact to people’s lives.”

The deadline for nominations is the 28 February. Owners can nominate their cat in one of the folllowing five categories, including a special category to recognise veterinary professionals who go the extra mile to care for cats:

 •    Family Cats: For cats who make a family complete – whether it’s being there for companionship, providing comfort and support in tough times, or simply keeping everyone amused.
 
 •    Incredible Cats: Recognising cats with a remarkable tale – maybe they’ve survived against the odds, returned home after an epic adventure, raised the alarm to an emergency or even saved a life.
 
 •    Senior Cats: Celebrating cats aged 11 or over, who showcase why older cats are special. They may have led an action-packed life, been by their owner’s side through life’s ups and downs or embraced a new lease of life in their golden years.
 
 •    Connected Cats, supported by Sure Petcare: For cats who share the love and bring joy to people far and wide. They might play a big part in their community, have their own social media following or add their own brand of magic to a workplace.
 
 •    Vet of the Year 2025: For vets who have provided outstanding cat care, going out of their way to support cats and their owners.

Cats Protection will select the 2025 Cat of the Year from the four category winners.

Novelist Dawn O’Porter, who is returning as event host for the third year running, 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 – so if you know a cat that deserves to be recognised you must enter them for a National Cat Award, it’s the tops for top cats!”

To submit a nomination, visit cats.org.uk

Become a member or log in to add this story to your CPD history

Strangles survey seeks views of horse owners

News Story 1
 With Strangles Awareness Week just around the corner (5-11 May), vets are being encouraged to share a survey about the disease with their horse-owning clients.

The survey, which has been designed by Dechra, aims to raise awareness of Strangles and promote best practices to prevent its transmission. It includes questions about horse owners' experiences of strangles, together with preventative measures and vaccination.

Respondents to the survey will be entered into a prize draw to win two VIP tickets to Your Horse Live 2025. To access the survey, click here 

Click here for more...
News Shorts
DAERA to reduce BVD 'grace period'

DAERA has reminded herd keepers of an upcoming reduction to the 'grace period' to avoid BVD herd restrictions.

From 1 May 2025, herd keepers will have seven days to cull any BVD positive or inconclusive animals to avoid restrictions being applied to their herd.

It follows legislation introduced on 1 February, as DAERA introduces herd movement restrictions through a phased approach. Herd keepers originally had 28 days to cull BVD positive or inconclusive animals.

DAERA says that, providing herd keepers use the seven-day grace period, no herds should be restricted within the first year of these measures.

Additional measures, which will target herds with animals over 30 days old that haven't been tested for BVD, will be introduced from 1 June 2025.

More information is available on the DAERA website.