GUWAHATI, July 19 - After sifting through hundreds of photographs of lovable cats, � as well as their rescue stories � the judges for the People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA) India�s �Cutest Rescued Cat Alive� contest have selected the ten finalists, including Nanu, whose guardian is a city resident Shruti Mishra.
PETA is holding the contest to encourage prospective guardians to adopt animals from the streets or shelters instead of buying them from pet shops or breeders, as these businesses often keep animals in dismal conditions and contribute to the homeless-animal overpopulation crisis. Animals in pet shops are also often bought on impulse and discarded when buyers tire of them.
Shruti found Nanu and his brother soaked to the skin on a rainy day. Both kittens might have drowned in a nearby water-body had she not spotted them in time. She picked up the lucky felines and took them home with her, and now they have a loving family to spend the rest of their lives with.
�It was raining heavily for three days, and it was all flooded throughout. That�s when I saw two little balls of fur in extremely bad condition. They had been drenched in rain and separated from their mother and were crying and hungry,� said Shruti. �I immediately took them into my arms and they snuggled quietly. That is when Nanu and Keanu became a part of my family,� she added.
�Nanu is a lucky cat, indeed, and he has returned the favour of being rescued by bringing much love and joy into his guardian�s life,� said PETA India CEO Dr Manilal Valliyate. �All rescued cats are already winners because their lives were saved by people who love them for who they are.�
The guardian of the lucky kitty who is named the �Cutest Rescued Cat Alive� will receive a certificate, a copy of Ingrid Newkirk and Jane Ratcliffe�s book One Can Make a Difference, a �My Cat Is a Rescue� T-shirt, a PETA India T-shirt and a cute cat toy.
The second-place winner�s guardian will receive a certificate, a copy of the book, a �My Cat Is a Rescue� T-shirt and a cat toy. The third-place winner�s guardian will receive a certificate, a copy of the book, and a cat toy. The top three kitties will appear in an upcoming issue of Animal Times, PETA India�s magazine for members.
PETA India will select the winner and runners-up based on several factors, including vote count. The voting ends on July 30.
