CATS Protection is asking cat owners to nominate their furry friends in this year’s National Cat Awards.

The awards have celebrated the difference cats make to owners’ lives by highlighting heart-warming stories of devotion, companionship and courage.

Phoenix, from Treharne Road, Gibbonsdown Barry, was shortlisted for the Cats Protection Hero award in 2017.

Phoenix managed to wake 16-year-old Liam Simpson, last year, by pawing at his chest when he was moments away from falling into a diabetic coma.

Phoenix had often been able to detect when Liam’s blood sugar levels were low, despite having no training as a medical alert animal.

Cats can be nominated for five categories until Friday, March 8.

Hero Cat – cats that save the day; Most Caring Cat – cats that positively impact a person’s health or wellbeing; Furr-ever Friends – tales of friendship between children and cats; outstanding rescue cat – felines adopted from animal charities; and PURINA® Better Together - celebrating the special bond that has transformed and enriched the lives of both a feline and human.

A panel of celebrity cat-lovers will select the winners.

The winning cats’ owners will be presented with their trophies at a star-studded ceremony at London’s Savoy Hotel on Thursday, August 8 – coinciding with International Cat Day.

Cats Protection’s Awards organiser Kate Bunting said: “This event is the highlight of the feline calendar and gives us the chance to celebrate everything we love about cats.

“Every year, the entries we receive go to show why cats make such great pets – whether it’s for helping their owners through times of sadness or loss, heroic moggies who come to the rescue or brave felines who survive against the odds.”

Anyone wishing to nominate their cat should visit cats.org.uk/national-cat-awards