cat from Rochdale who helped his owner recover from the trauma of working as an emergency medical technician at the Manchester Arena attack has been named as a finalist in Cats Protection’s National Cat Awards 2024.
Marmaduke beat hundreds of other entries to take his place as one of three contenders in the Incredible category, celebrating cats whose bond with their owners inspires extraordinary acts of love.
The eight-year-old moggy was selected as a finalist in recognition of the joy he brought to Janice Cheetham’s life when she was at her lowest ebb.
Janice, 64, said: “My advice to anyone struggling with their mental health is: ‘Get a big orange cat.’ I honestly don’t know whether I’d be here today without Marmaduke.
Working on the frontline in Manchester Arena on the night of the attack in May 2017 was surreal. I couldn’t believe the horror of what had happened. Afterwards, we were all given medals for our bravery but I became obsessed with thinking: ‘Could I have done more?’
“To people at work I was bouncy, happy Janice but inside I was spiralling out of control. I lived alone which made things a million times worse. Coming home to a dark, empty house at the end of a 12-hour shift I’d lie awake, the sirens and screams replaying in my head.
‘I need a cat,’ I thought so I visited the local rescue shelter. Marmaduke strolled straight up to me and rolled on his back for a tummy tickle. We bonded immediately. The first night at mine, he jumped into bed beside me and snuggled up – such a comfort.
“After Marmaduke arrived, I didn’t need any more counselling. Now I talk to him when I feel low. He listens, his big amber eyes on me, full of empathy and understanding. On the anniversary of the attack my friends ring to check I’m okay but Marmaduke knows too. He sticks to me like glue. I’m so grateful for his kindness and companionship.”
Marmaduke will now go through to a public vote to find winners in four categories – Connected Cats, Family Cats, Incredible Cats and Senior Cats. Cat lovers can vote for their favourite finalist by visiting www.cats.org.uk/nca during the voting period from 17 July to 30 August.
Category winners and the overall National Cat of the Year – chosen by a panel of judges – will then be announced during a ceremony at London’s One Marylebone on 18 September.
