Cat of the Year alerts his deaf owner to sounds around the house
Zebby the cat was honored as the National Cat of the Year for supporting his deaf owner Genevieve Moss, 66, by alerting her to sounds around the house.
Humankind, USA Today
A UK pet picked up an award this week after becoming just a ‘hearing cat’ for its owner.
The cat, named Zebby, beat thousands of others to take home the National Cat of the Year award. The award was given by Cats Protection, a charity that rescues and rehomes cats and teaches people about them.
The event was held on Tuesday at Wilton’s Music Hall in London, Cats Protection said in a press release.
To win the award, Zebby first won the Family Fur-ever category, which honors cats that “make a family complete,” Cats Protection said on its website. The Family Fur-ever winner is chosen by public vote. The cat was then selected as the overall National Cat of the Year by a panel.
Zebby’s owner, 66-year-old Genevieve Moss, lives alone, except for her furry friend, of course.
Living alone can be isolating, she told Cats Protection in a video
Her problems were further compounded by the fact that she can’t hear anything without her hearing aid, meaning Moss can’t hear anything at night. Once, she was robbed in the middle of the night.
But now, Zebby alerts him to various sounds in their house. He also picks up the mail for Moss and drops it off in the bedroom. He even takes her slippers.
“He’s become my night watchman, my postman and my caretaker,” she said. “He seems to know that when the phone rings, he has to alert me. At night, if my security light comes on, he seems to know to wake me up, and he does it by touching my face.”
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The prize-winning cat is the protector of its owner
Sometimes when Moss tries to leave the house, Zebby takes his position at the front door to tell her it’s not happening. She then has to sneak out the back door, she said.
When she comes back, he runs up and gives her lots of cuddles, she said.
For him, it’s good to come home to Zebby. He is her “best friend” and “savior”.
“I’m so proud of Zebby for showing the world how intuitive and caring cats can be and what a positive effect they can have on people’s lives,” she told Cats Protection. “I can’t imagine life without Zebby and I’m over the moon that he’s been honored at the National Cat Awards.”
In honor of his win, Zebby took home a trophy and a pet store voucher, Cats Protection said.
Cats Protection National Organizer Ashley Fryer said a cat’s entry form says a lot about its commitment to its owner.
“Their story highlights the powerful bond that exists between humans and their cats,” Fryer said. “He is a great example of the joy and comfort a cat can bring.”
Moss said Zebby gives her a sense of security and now she can rest easy.
“Without it, I would feel very scared,” she said. “I used to be afraid to sleep… I used to stay awake. But now I can sleep knowing Zebby will be there.”
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