Sox is shortlisted to become Britain’s most 'Outstanding Rescue Cat'

Rescue Cat Final - Tracey and Sox from ON Broadcast on Vimeo.

A cat from Putney has been shortlisted to become Britain’s most ‘Outstanding Rescue Cat’. If super Sox succeeds, he’ll go on to be in with a chance of becoming Cats Protection’s official ‘National Cat of the Year 2018’.

Sox beat hundreds of other entries to take his place as one of three contenders in the Outstanding Rescue Cat category, celebrating the special bond between children and cats.

The four-year-old puss was selected as a finalist in recognition of the positive impact he has had on patients and staff at the Royal Hospital for Neuro-disability in Putney, where he lives since being adopted by staff member Tracy.

Tracy, Executive Personal Assistant to the Director of Nursing at the hospital, explained that staff were keen to adopt a cat to enable patients to have an opportunity to interact with a pet to enhance their wellbeing.

Tracy said, “We’ve had patients that are determined to walk down corridors, so they can come and see Sox while others have expressed emotions – such as giving a thumbs-up – that is normally very difficult.

“Sox will sit with our patients and is a great source of companionship and affection. His presence is both a motivation and a comfort to many people.

“He’s also great for staff and on a tough day it’s wonderful to stop and spend a few minutes with him. Emily McWhirter, our Director of Nursing, used to have a meeting table with four chairs in her office – that’s now all been replaced by two large sofas, specifically so that people can pop in and spend some time stroking and playing with Sox.”

Staff and patients at the hospital now face a nail-biting wait until Thursday 2 August when winners will be announced at an awards ceremony at London’s Savoy, an event attended by celebrities including Holby City actress Chizzy Akudolu, BBC broadcaster Andrew Collins and model Lucy Pinder.

Cat’s Protection’s National Cat Awards, organised by the UK’s largest cat charity and sponsored by PURINA®, is an annual celebration of the real-life stories of heroism, loyalty and companionship in the feline world.

If Sox wins his category, he will also be in with a chance of being crowned National Cat of the Year, following in the paw prints of previous winner Genie, a cat from Lincoln who helped schoolgirl Evie Henderson battle bone cancer.

Cats Protection’s awards organiser Kate Bunting said: “We often hear stories of the companionship and loyalty cats can provide to owners who have medical conditions but, in Sox’s case, he spreads that comfort across a whole hospital. Sox is a great ambassador for rescue cats and we hope his story will inspire more people to adopt a cat.”

Each category winner will receive a trophy, a £100 pet store voucher, a year’s subscription to Cats Protection’s The Cat magazine and a three-month supply of Purina® cat food.

June 28, 2018