A CHARISMATIC cat from Alderbury near Salisbury could be crowned the UK’s cat of the year through his decade of ‘work’ in the village shop.
11-year-old moggy Dexter has become the village mascot following an incident where he was attacked by another cat which saw the community rally to help him by raising money to pay for vet bills.
Dexter has now been named as a finalist in Cats Protection’s National Cat Awards 2024, beating hundreds of other entries to take his place alongside two other contenders in the Connected Cats category, celebrating cats who are at the centre of their communities.
Dexter has a dedicated place at the village shop Picture: Ciaran McCrickard/ Cats Protection
Dexter, who roams the village freely, is cared for by the community and lives at the Premier Alderbury Village Stores where he ‘helps out’ by greeting customers.
Kerry Carpenter, 46, a housekeeper who lives in Alderbury said: “Dexter is such a lovely, funny boy, strutting around the village shop, bushy tail in the air, waiting for someone to fuss him.
“He’s been turning up for work when the shops opens for as long as anyone can remember – he’s always on time.
Dexter roams around the village Picture: Ciaran McCrickard/ Cats Protection
“We think he had a home originally but when Debbie from the shop realised he was sleeping outside at night she built a wooden house for him – with a name plaque – and fed and watered him.
“Dexter was attacked by another cat last winter, the deep wounds around his neck becoming infected, so the village raised £800 for vets’ bills.
“Then Dawn and Andy, who live near the shop, offered to take him in so he had a warm house in which to recuperate.
“Now he has the best of both worlds – a home and his job in the shop.
“The only drawback of being the village cat is that everybody knows he’s on a diet. Sorry Dexter – no treats until you’ve lost a pound and a half!”
Dexter 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 today, July 17 to August 30.
Category winners and the overall National Cat of the Year – chosen by a panel of judges – will then be announced during a ceremony hosted by Dawn O’Porter at London’s One Marylebone on September 18.
Dexter is a popular figure in the community Picture: Ciaran McCrickard/ Cats Protection
Cats Protection’s National Cat Awards, organised by the UK’s largest cat charity, is an annual celebration of real-life stories of heroism, loyalty and companionship, showing that life is better with cats.
Cats Protection’s Marketing and Income Generation Director Catherine Cottrell said: “Dexter sounds such a character, bringing together young, old and everyone in between.
“Well done Debbie for caring for your star employee at the shop and Dawn and Andy for giving him a cosy home. Good luck with the diet, Dexter!”
Category winners will each win a prize package of a trophy, a £200 pet store voucher and a year’s subscription to Cats Protection’s The Cat magazine with the National Cat of the Year also receiving an overall winner trophy.
You can help make Dexter’s dreams come true by voting for him Picture: Ciaran McCrickard/ Cats Protection
| Could Dexter from Alderbury in Wiltshire be crowned Cats Protection’s National Cat of the Year? |
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| A charismatic cat from Wiltshire who has become a village mascot through his decade of ‘work’ in the local shop has been named as a finalist in Cats Protection’s National Cat Awards 2024.
Dexter beat hundreds of other entries to take his place alongside two other contenders in the Connected Cats category, celebrating cats who are at the centre of their communities.
The 11-year-old moggy has been selected as a finalist in recognition of the love he inspires in Alderbury’s 2200 villagers who, last year, rallied round to help when he was attacked by another cat.
Kerry Carpenter, 46, a housekeeper who lives in Alderbury said: “Dexter is such a lovely, funny boy, strutting around the village shop, bushy tail in the air, waiting for someone to fuss him. He’s been turning up for work when the shops opens for as long as anyone can remember – he’s always on time. We think he had a home originally but when Debbie from the shop realised he was sleeping outside at night she built a wooden house for him – with a name plaque – and fed and watered him. Dexter was attacked by another cat last winter, the deep wounds around his neck becoming infected, so the village raised £800 for vets’ bills. Then Dawn and Andy, who live near the shop, offered to take him in so he had a warm house in which to recuperate. Now he has the best of both worlds – a home and his job in the shop. The only drawback of being the village cat is that everybody knows he’s on a diet. Sorry Dexter – no treats until you’ve lost a pound and a half!”
Dexter 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 hosted by Dawn O’Porter at London’s One Marylebone on 18 September.
Cats Protection’s National Cat Awards, organised by the UK’s largest cat charity, is an annual celebration of real-life stories of heroism, loyalty and companionship, showing that life is better with cats.
This year’s winner will inherit the title from Zebby who was named National Cat of the Year 2023 to honour the support he gives his deaf owner Genevieve Moss, alerting her to sounds around their home in Chesterfield, Derbyshire.
Cats Protection’s Marketing and Income Generation Director Catherine Cottrell said: “Dexter sounds such a character, bringing together young, old and everyone in between. Well done Debbie for caring for your star employee at the shop and Dawn and Andy for giving him a cosy home. Good luck with the diet, Dexter!”
Category winners will each win a prize package of a trophy, a £200 pet store voucher and a year’s subscription to Cats Protection’s The Cat magazine with the National Cat of the Year also receiving an overall winner trophy.
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Photos can be downloaded here. For further information or an interview, please contact Cats Protection’s Media Office on media.office@cats.org.uk or phone 01825 741 911.
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What amazing story. Love the fact that the community are looking after Dexter. This lovely cat has my vote