Banbury care home set to host its first-ever virtual cat show

Highmarket House Care Home in Banbury is hosting a cat show for the community - pictured is resident Joan and Ned, the lifestyle coordinator's cat and regular visitor (Submitted photo from the care home)

Care UK’s Highmarket House, on North Bar Place, is set to host its first-ever virtual cat show – all for a good cause.

As part of the contest, local people are invited to showcase their paw-some pets in one of three cat-egories: “Prettiest Female,” “Most Handsome Male” and “Cutest Kitten”. Winners will receive homemade treats baked by residents, with winning kitties supplied with toys, and bandanas created by the home’s team.

Owners who are ‘feline lucky’ must submit their pictures by emailing the home’s Customer Relations Manager, Marisa Ramos, on marisa.ramos@careuk.com by Sunday June 20.

The winners, which will be selected by a judging panel of Highmarket House residents and team members, will be announced later this month.

Jo Pohl, home manager at Highmarket House, said: “We’re excited to host our first ever cat show – we all love animals here at Highmarket House, and we’re looking forward to seeing all the entries.

“We know just how beneficial animal therapy can be for older people, especially for those living with dementia, seeing images of furry felines can help lift a person’s mood and stimulate social interaction.

"With current restrictions in place, a virtual cat show is a great way to begin connecting with the community, and residents are thrilled to have the opportunity to be part of our judging panel.

“We’ve created three categories which we hope will allow a variety of our feline friends to enter. This is set to be a fantastic competition, and it’s all for a good cause – so we’re encouraging anyone in Banbury or beyond to enter!”