Support cat who 'hears' for deaf owner wins national award

Zebby - a two-year-old cat from Chesterfield, Derbyshire - has been named National Cat of the Year

A cat who helps his deaf owner by alerting her to sounds around the house has won a national award.

Zebby, a two-year-old black and white cat from Chesterfield, in Derbyshire, was named Cats Protection's National Cat of the Year.

He supports his owner Genevieve Moss, 66, by tapping her to alert her to noises like the phone or doorbell ringing.

Ms Moss said she "can't imagine life without Zebby" and is "over the moon".

Zebby, who has not had any special training, has been chosen from thousands of other pets as overall winner of the National Cat Awards.

The event, organised by the feline welfare charity, was held at Wilton's Music Hall, in London, on Monday.

The intuitive cat helps his owner by tapping her to alert her to noises

Zebby was one of four finalists in the Family Fur-ever category and won after a public vote.

He was then crowned overall winner by a panel of celebrities and experts, including former footballer David Seaman MBE and veterinarian and TV personality Dr Scott Miller.

His owner said: "I am 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.

"Without my hearing aid, I can't hear anything, but now I have Zebby to help me.

"He'll come and tap me when the phone is ringing, and then I can pop my hearing aid and speaker on and take the call.

"In the night, if there's an unusual noise he will bat me on my head to wake me up and let me know."

Zebby even helps Ms Moss by picking up the mail from the doormat and carrying it to her room in his mouth, or bringing in her slippers.

"We've got a very close bond and I wouldn't want to cope without him," says his owner Genevieve Moss

"Zebby is very special, I've never known a cat quite like him," she added.

"He loves to be around me, wherever I am, he's not far behind.

"We've got a very close bond and I wouldn't want to cope without him.

"Living on my own and being deaf means life could be lonely, but not with Zebby around, he's my hero."

The cat won a trophy and prize package, which included a £200 pet store voucher.

Zebby even helps Ms Moss by collecting the post and carrying it to her bedroom

Cats Protection's National Cat Awards organiser Ashley Fryer said: "From the moment we read his entry form, we knew Zebby was something special.

"Zebby is clearly devoted to Genevieve, and their story highlights the powerful bond that exists between people and their cats.

"He's a shining example of the joy and comfort a cat can bring."