Five cat-loving people are fe-line fantastic after winning Cats Protection’s 2006 photo competition.

This year the competition attracted over 1,600 entries as budding amateur photographers from all over the UK worked hard to snap that perfect picture!

“It was a particularly tough choice to pick the winners this year as we received so many high quality entries,” said Janet Wickens, Cats Protection’s Head of Fundraising and Communications.

“I would like to congratulate everyone who took part in the competition and hope they will impress us again next year!”

The categories in this year’s competition included: Best Friends, Perfect Portrait, Cuddly Kittens and Cats will be Cats.

WINNER’S DETAILS

Overall Winner

Brian Swinburne from Glasgow, for his photo of Zoe

The top prize package for Brian’s winning ‘Photo of the Year’ includes a £250 voucher for photographic equipment, a framed photograph of Zoe (his winning subject), a certificate and £75 for the Cats Protection Branch of his choice.

“I was delighted to hear that I was the overall winner of Cats Protection’s photo competition. I’ve been a keen amateur photographer for five years and it is great to receive an award for my efforts.”

The winning shot was of Zoe curled up with another pet, a Great Dane called Briagha, and giving her a loving peck on the nose!

“I always liked taking photos of these two as they are a pair of opposites who have a great friendship. Zoe often used to use Briagha as a bed so I like to think she is saying thank you in this shot. The photo was taken four years ago, and since then Briagha has sadly passed away. It is great to have such a photo to remind me of those cherished memories.”


Category winners
Category winners each received a £150 voucher for photographic equipment, a framed copy of their winning photo, a certificate and £50 for the Cats Protection Branch of their choice.

Best Friends



Dawn Bladen, of Walsall, West Midlands for her photo of Wiggy

Dawn was certainly spoilt for choice when it came to taking that perfect pet photo. Dawn explains: “I manage a local kennel and cattery, and own three dogs and four cats. However this is one of the best photos I have taken!

“Wiggy and Breeze are great pals who often sleep next to each other. One evening Wiggy wasn’t comfortable so she kept poking Breeze with her head until he moved. But she did it so much that they both tumbled back onto their sides whilst remaining fast asleep. They looked so cute I had to make a mad dash for my camera before they moved again!”

Dawn was both surprised and delighted to hear she was a category winner, and said she may enter again next year. “With seven pets I’m sure it won’t be long before I get an opportunity to take another fun photo!” she said.

Perfect Portrait

Sarah Newton of Malpas, Cheshire for her photo of Tigger

For Sarah it was a question of second time lucky in the Photo Competition. “I entered the competition in 2005 and wasn’t among the winners, so I was determined to make up for it this year. Luckily Tigger was around to give me a helping hand!” she said.

“One day I was keeping Tigger company and had my camera on me as I like to take photos of him. He leapt up onto our garden bench, and when I pointed the camera at him, he struck a variety of different poses! I took a lot of photos and thought the one of him lying on his back whilst staring into the camera was the cutest.”

Having finally made the breakthrough in the competition, Sarah is eager to enter again next year!

Cuddly Kittens


Barbara Neal of Godalming, Surrey for her photo of Frank

Barbara likes to take pictures for her family album. However, when she heard about the photo competition she felt she had to send in a photo of cute kitten Frank!

“Frank belongs to my daughter Jennie,” explained Barbara. “When he had settled in at his new house she invited me round to take a few photos. As soon as I pointed the camera at him he came to life and performed acrobatic feats to impress us. It was only when he ran out of puff that I was able to get near him and take this adorable picture.”

Barbara was delighted to hear that she was a category winner. “I was pleased to hear that I’d won, but I’m more pleased for Frank as he tried so hard to win!”

Cats will be Cats

Brian Pettitt of Beeston, Nottingham for his photo of Shiro

Amateur photographer Brian was just minding his own business when Shiro presented him with the perfect photo opportunity!

Brian explains: “Shiro belongs to a neighbour and has a habit of sleeping in unusual places, such as the roofs of cars. On this occasion our local postman had propped his bike up against the wall and wandered off to deliver his mail. Shiro, out on his daily prowl, took one look at the bag of envelopes and leapt up into it before curling up for a comfy rest!

“I raced off to get my camera and got back just in time to get my snap!”

A keen photographer, Brian was delighted with his win and is keen to enter the competition again next year.