Cookie, a 21-year-old cat from Romford, Essex, has won the #SeniorKitizen category in Cats Protection’s Alternative Cat Awards, thanks to her peaceful purring.
Cookie’s winning video – showing her blissed-out expression – was chosen by category judge and radio presenter Justine Greene. The category celebrated mature cats aged over 11.
Cookie beat off stiff competition from her other category finalists – 18-year-old playful puss King Billie from London, who still likes to energetically play with toys and 11-year-old serene mature moggy Lucy, from Leamington Spa.
Owner Holly Webb said: “When we rehomed Cookie the vets estimated we would have around six months with her, but three years later she still plays like a kitten. The vets are amazed and wonder what her secret is! She is well and truly enjoying her retirement and now spends the majority of her time either napping on laps, eating or purring. She will sit and wait at the door for us to come home, and meow at us all the time.”
Category judge Justine Greene said: “Cookie brings a lot to Holly’s home and is a great example of how a mature moggy can offer up a lot of love and support! I couldn’t resist that purr and the fact she is still going strong at the age of 21!”
Cats Protection ran the competition – sponsored by its long-term corporate partner PURINA® – in place of its annual National Cat Awards which was postponed due to the Covid-19 pandemic. The charity asked owners to post videos of cats who had made an outstanding contribution to their life this year in five categories, each judged by a different celebrity, and had over 500 entries.
The public will now have their chance to crown the overall winner – the ‘People’s Purrfect Choice’ – by logging onto www.cats.org.uk/aca and voting for their favourite. Cat-loving comedian Bob Mortimer will officially open the voting from 4pm on Thursday 17 September. The public has until Sunday 20 September to choose which of the five categories winners deserves the overall title. Bob will then announce the top cat on Wednesday 24 September. Along with the title, the winning cat’s owner will be invited to attend the National Cat Awards at London’s Savoy on 5 August 2021.
The other categories were:
- #PurinaPurrfectTeamwork – Celebrating the bond between cats and their owners who were working or studying during the lockdown period – judged by celebrity beauty expert and TV presenter Gina Akers.
- #MischievousMoggy – Cats with interesting and playful behaviours that may have performed challenges or been a source of entertainment during lockdown – judged by ex-England goalkeeper David Seaman and his wife, Dancing on Ice Star Frankie Seaman
- #PurrfectlyImperfect – Celebrating cats living happy, healthy lives with a disability, health issue or superficial aesthetic deformity – judged by comedian and writer Jake Lambert
- #BestNewcomer – Cats adopted from an animal rescue organisation in 2020 – judged by dance choreographer and ex-Strictly judge Arlene Phillips
