The UK’s leading feline welfare charity Cats Protection is calling on cat owners in Cornwall to nominate their remarkable moggies for 2018’s prestigious National Cat Awards.

Now in its tenth year, the awards celebrate the difference cats make to owners’ lives by highlighting heart-warming stories of devotion, companionship and courage.

Entries open on Tuesday, January 9 and owners have until noon on Friday, March 9 to nominate their cat for one of five categories:

• Hero Cat – Cats that save the day

• Most Caring Cat – Cats that positively impact a person’s health or wellbeing

• Furr-ever Friends – Tales of friendship between children and cats

• Outstanding Rescue Cat – Fabulous felines adopted from animal charities

• Purina® Better Together – Celebrating the special bond that has transformed and enriched the lives of both a feline and human

Last year, Pixie, a cat from Melksham, won the Hero Cat category after raising the alarm when Sophie Hellyer and Mike Sawyer’s 15-month-old daughter April started choking during the night.

Sophie said: “It was around 1am and we were all asleep when I was woken by Pixie jumping on the bed, turning around in circles and repeatedly running to and from April’s room. I was confused and couldn’t understand what was going on, so I stumbled over to April’s room and then saw immediately that she was choking.

I yelled for Mike and he came and we patted April hard on the back and dislodged the fruit, which she had brought up during the night. Once she had recovered, we just sat and stared in disbelief. We were amazed, emotional and just so incredibly thankful to Pixie.”

Chizzy Akudolu, from Holby City and Strictly 2017, said: “As a cat owner myself, and having attended last year’s awards, I’ve seen first-hand what a tremendous difference they can make to people’s lives. So get nominating as this is their time to shine.”

Category winners are in the running to be named National Cat of the Year judged by a panel of celebrity cat-lovers. Sponsored by PURINA® for the seventh year, winners will be presented with a trophy and prizes at a star studded ceremony at the Savoy Hotel in London on Thursday 2 August 2018.

Anyone wishing to nominate their cat should visit www.cats.org.uk/national-cat-awards. For further information about the awards email nationalcatawards@cats.org.uk or phone 03000 12 12 12.