Share your fabulous feline's best pose and raise money for needy cats

Share your fabulous feline's best pose and raise money for needy cats

Cat-lovers are invited to share images of their marvellous moggies in an online 'cat show' being hosted to raise money for needy cats across Somerset.

Cats Protection Taunton & Minehead is harnessing our collective love of cat pictures to raise money for the unwanted, stray and abandoned cats that come into its care.

The online event runs for 10 days from Friday 21 February with cat owners being able to comment with a picture of their fabulous feline on the charity's Facebook posts relating to each category as it goes live.

Cats can be nominated for Prettiest Lass (21 February), Handsome Lad (22 February), Cutest Kitten (23 February), Cosiest Cat (24 February), Best Rescue (25 February), Mature Moggy (26 February), Funniest Feline (27 February), Best of Friends (28 February), Most Marvellous Markings (1 March) with each then being considered for Best in Show, which will be judged and announced on 2 March by Junior Judge Paula Hargan from The Governing Council of the Cat Fancy (GCCF).

The categories will be live for 24 hours and the cats whose photo has received the most likes at the time of counting will be announced as the winner and will receive a rosette. A new category will be available each morning at 9am with the winner being announced the following day.

Laura Taylor, Cats Protection Community Fundraising Officer, says: "We all have hundreds, if not thousands, of pictures of our cats on our phones and cameras. Now you can put those photos to good use, share your favourite shots of your beloved cat and raise money to help local cats in need at the same time.

"There's no limit to the number of photos you can submit, we just ask that you remember to share your cat's name in the comment and be mindful not to include any pictures of cats who are dressed up in clothing, including bows or fancy collars, as we know for most cats this causes them distress and stops them from exhibiting their natural behaviours. We want to see your cats looking like their natural, fabulous selves!"

Entries can be made daily at www.facebook.com/CPTauntonandMinehead and anyone wishing to make a donation to accompany their entry can do so at www.justgiving.com/page/tauntonminehead-district-branch-online-catshow-feb2025, with a suggested donation of £2 per entry.

Among the cats who will benefit is six-year-old Bodhi who had been living the rough-and-tumble life of an unneutered male cat before he arrived in the care of the charity's volunteer team. He therefore has the recognisable large jowls of a Tom-cat and a few nicks on his ears. Nevertheless, Bodhi's fosterer has found him to be extremely loving, kind and sweet-natured.

Bodhi especially enjoys being with people and loves being stroked and brushed. He has become known for his tender side and calm, gentle temperament, especially when he takes cat treats from your hands. It is felt he would be well-suited to an older family and a home with a garden for him to explore. Like all Cats Protection cats Bodhi is now neutered, microchipped, vaccinated, up to date with his flea and work treatments and will arrive in his new home with four weeks of free insurance available to her owners.

To find out more about Bodhi and other cats being cared for by Cats Protection Taunton & Minehead please visit www.cats.org.uk/taunton