From fun-loving felines who help children face major challenges, to caring cats who provide comfort in times of need, the marvellous moggies are all in the running to be named Cats Protection’s National Cat of the Year 2022.

This year’s top cat will follow in the pawprints of previous winner Minty, a three-legged cat from Holywell, Wales, who helped six-year-old Connor Raven cope with severe learning difficulties and medical conditions.

The finalists in this year’s Awards include:

• Jasper and Willow: The brother-and-sister duo who spend their days bringing comfort to patients, staff and visitors at a hospice.
• Archie: The loving ‘dialysis buddy’ who keeps his kidney patient owner company during the many hours she’s connected to a life-saving machine.
• Chicken: Intuitive moggy Chicken, who shares an incredible bond with an 11-year-old boy who has autism and suffers with anxiety.

Cats Protection’s National Cat Awards, organised by the UK’s largest cat charity, recognises the incredible bond between cats and people. The four categories include Cat Colleagues, sponsored by Feliway, which will be voted for by members of the public*. Other category winners will be selected and presented by celebrity judges including entrepreneur Deborah Meaden, Lioness Ellen White and comedian Bob Mortimer.

An overall winner will be selected as National Cat of the Year by a celebrity panel, including actress Gaynor Faye, drag artist Ginny Lemon, Dancing on Ice star Frankie Seaman and ex-England footballer David Seaman MBE, and will be announced on Thursday 4 August at an awards ceremony at The Savoy in London.

Cat-loving England and Manchester City footballer Ellen White is one of the celebrities supporting this year’s event. She said: “Like millions of other people, I think cats are brilliant, so I jumped at the chance of being involved in this year’s National Cat Awards. The awards are all about celebrating everything we love about cats – whether it’s their entertaining antics or the comfort and companionship they bring to so many people. I’m really looking forward to helping to showcase some of the UK’s most amazing cats and highlighting what wonderful pets cats can be.”

Cats Protection’s National Cat Awards organiser Kate Bunting said: “Cats make incredible pets for all sorts of homes, and this year’s finalists really go to show how there is a cat for everyone. Whether it’s being a friend to children who may face extra challenges in life, providing companionship to those who may otherwise be alone or bringing a calming presence on the workplace, cats can transform people’s lives for the better. We hope this year’s National Cat Awards will help more people see the many benefits of cat ownership and consider adopting a cat.”

Winners in each of the four categories - Most Caring Cat, Furr-ever Friends, Outstanding Rescue Cat and Cat Colleagues - 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. The winner of National Cat of the Year will also receive an additional overall winning trophy.

*The winner of the Cat Colleagues category will be chosen in a public vote on Cats Protection’s website which will take place between 10-13 June.