Assam cat bags 2nd runner-up title in PETA contest

Assam cat Nanu has bagged the Second Runner-Up title in animal rights organisation PETA India's 'cutest rescued cat alive' contest.

After careful deliberation by judges from PETA India and hundreds of votes from members of the public to help them decide, Nanu has been named the second runner-up in the contest, a PETA release said here today.

Nanu's guardian is Tiniali resident Shruti Mishra.

The winner is Tickles, whose guardian is Arushi Gorsi of Kullu, Himachal Pradesh and the first runner-up is Mimi, whose guardian is Sushmita Patil of Bijapur, Karnataka.

The feline winner and runners-up were selected by PETA India based on several factors, including vote count, yesterday.

Nanu had earlier edged out hundreds of other lovable rescued cats to become one of the 10 finalists, the release said.

"Nanu proves that adopting a cat from the streets or an animal shelter can fill your life with joy and love that words can't express," says PETA India CEO Dr Manilal Valliyate.

"Although only one cat could win PETA India's contest, all rescued cats are winners because they have found loving homes", Valliyate was quoted in the release.

Shruti will receive a certificate, a cute cat toy for Nanu, and a copy of PETA founder Ingrid Newkirk and Jane Ratcliffe's book 'One Can Make a Difference'.

The top three cats will appear in an upcoming issue of Animal Times, PETA India's magazine for members.

Shruti said she found Nanu in a flooded street while it was raining heavily. "That's when I saw two li'l balls of fur in extremely bad condition. They (had been) drenched in rain (and) separated from (their) mother (and were) crying and hungry."