Bury St Edmunds cat Magnus in the running for National Cat of the Year after helping owners cope following death of daughter

An ‘incredible’ Bury St Edmunds cat who helped his owners through a difficult time following the death of their daughter is in the running for a national award.

Magnus, a six-year-old pedigree Maine Coon, beat hundreds of other contenders to take his place alongside two others in the Incredible Cats category at the Cats Protection National Cat Awards 2025.

Magnus helped Sandra Harrild, 71, and her husband Bernard cope with the sudden loss of their daughter Victoria, 41, after she went into hospital for a minor operation, contracted sepsis and died.

Magnus sensed they needed comfort and would wrap himself around their ankles before brushing them with his tail.

Sandra, a psychologist, said: “Magnus seemed to know that something terrible had happened and he seemed to understand who needed him most, following them around and sitting with them.

“My son and grandchildren adore him and if one of us is feeling down, he wraps himself around their feet and brushes them with his tail.

“He’s taken to sleeping with us at night now, so neither of us have any bed clothes because he’s stretched out like a bolster down the middle with his little arms and legs out.”

Sandra described Magnus as very friendly and patient, with ‘great big’ feet and claws and expressive fangs.

She added: “He’s also nosy. If anyone comes to the house he has a good look at them and a good sniff.

“We always have to check if it’s a tradesman and make sure he hasn’t jumped in the back of the van.”

Magnus will go through to a public vote to find winners for four categories for the National Cat Awards.

These are Connected Cats, Family Cats, Incredible Cats and Senior Cats, with cat lovers encouraged to vote for their favourite between June 16 and July 31.

This can be done using this link.

Category winners and the overall National Cat of the Year will be announced during a ceremony hosted by writer and presenter Dawn O’Porter in London on September 24.

The top cat in each category will win a trophy, a £200 per store voucher and a year’s subscription to The Cat magazine. The national winner will also receive a trophy.

The overall winner inherits the title from Marley, who won the national title last year.

He was named National Cat of the Year in recognition of his role in comforting women who were enslaved, exploited and trafficked.