Cats Protection, the UK's leading feline welfare charity, has unveiled an exciting national short story competition that invites aspiring writers from across the country to craft imaginative tales celebrating the unique and profound bond between cats and humans. This creative initiative seeks to capture the heartwarming, magical, and sometimes mysterious relationships that define our connections with feline companions.
Celebrating Feline Companionship Through Storytelling
The competition encourages entries that place cats at the very core of the narrative, highlighting the special connection they share with people. Whether stories are tender, fantastical, or suspenseful, they must feature cats prominently and explore the multifaceted nature of human-feline relationships.
Distinguished Judging Panel
Submissions will be evaluated by an impressive panel of judges including acclaimed authors Jane Fallon and Anne Twist, alongside Scottish television presenter and mental health advocate Gail Porter and popular comedian Matt Richardson. This diverse group brings a wealth of literary and cultural expertise to the selection process.
Gail Porter expressed her enthusiasm for the competition, stating: "Cats have a magical place in my heart. My cat always knows... well, my cat knows everything! Her special presence makes me feel so happy and I hope I do the same for her. I'm delighted to be involved in a competition that involves the many magical, wonderful stories you have about what makes cats so special to you. I can't wait to read them all."
Prestigious Publication Opportunities
The winning entries will receive significant recognition through publication in The Cat magazine and prominent showcasing on Cats Protection's official website. This offers writers a valuable platform to share their work with a national audience of cat enthusiasts and literary readers.
Attractive Prizes for Winners
Both category winners will receive substantial rewards including:
- A premium goody bag gifted by competition partner Cult Pens, with each bag having a retail value of £350
- An exclusive invitation to visit a Cats Protection adoption centre to meet cats awaiting rehoming
- National publication of their winning story
Competition Eligibility and Requirements
The competition is open to residents of England, Wales, Scotland, and Northern Ireland who meet the following criteria:
- Entrants must be aged 18 or over
- Stories must be original works written in English
- Two distinct categories: children's literature and adult literature
- Minimum word count of 250 words, maximum of 1,000 words
- Stories must be formatted in Arial, 12pt, double-spaced
- Submissions must be made as Word documents or PDFs using the official entry form
- File names must match the short story title
- One entry per person per category (separate entry fee required)
Entry Process and Timeline
Prospective participants should complete the official entry form and pay the £10 entry fee. Detailed instructions for story submission will be sent via email following registration. The competition remains open for entries until Tuesday, March 31, providing ample time for creative development.
Promoting Responsible Representation
Abby Jackson from Cats Protection emphasised the competition's purpose: "This competition is a wonderful opportunity to explore the charm, mystery and companionship of cats through storytelling. We're excited to read the creative ways people capture the human-cat bond."
The charity encourages all writers to consult Cats Protection's Cat Welfare guidance to ensure responsible and accurate representation of feline behaviour and needs in their stories. This commitment to animal welfare underscores the competition's ethical foundation while inspiring authentic storytelling about our feline friends.
