01 AAFP CAT FRIENDLY PRACTICE® AWARD
Sponsored by the American Association of Feline Practitioners (AAFP), this award is presented for the entry that best educates cat owners about the benefits of going to a Cat Friendly Practice®. Appropriate topics include why it is beneficial to the cat and owner to visit a practice that is cat friendly, including, but not limited to, staff understanding of feline-friendly handling, decreased stress associated with the visit, increase in the quality of care and medicine provided, and communication to cat owners of the importance of routine veterinary care. Qualifying entries include series or single articles (traditional print or online formats) such as from columns, blogs, websites, magazines, or newsletters; books with a singular focus on the benefits of going to a cat-friendly practice; or television, radio broadcast, or video presentations.
Award: $500 and a commemorative, framed certificate.
02 CATALYST COUNCIL CONNECT TO CARE
This award, sponsored by the CATalyst Council, celebrates both the writer and subject of a true story depicting an experience of a kitten or cat adopted from a shelter which results in a profound connection between the cat and its adoptive pet parent. The relationship described will be equally beneficial to the cat and the person; special consideration will be given to those pieces showing a positive community-wide connection involving both the shelter and a local veterinarian. The story may be written in first purr or first person if appropriate. Entries may include a single book or short story, poem, article (print or online), newsletter, editorial, blog, commercial radio/TV/internet recording or a photograph with corresponding copy. Entries will be judged on the ability of the reader/viewer to reach the conclusion that cats are valuable members of our families, they enrich our lives, and they deserve our love and our care.
Award: $500 and special gift and/or appropriate acknowledgment of the story subjects.
03 CWA COUNCIL OF DIRECTORS NEWCOMER CAT COMMUNICATIONS AWARD
This award, sponsored by the CWA is presented to a CWA member only; new to the organization 12 months or less during the current contest year, whose submitted piece best communicates on any range of cat-related topics, including, but not limited to the feline-human bond, cat and kitten rescue, cat care and cat health issues, cat environmental enrichment, cat behavior, cat trends and more. Cats are defined in an all-inclusive manner – domestic cats, feral cats, stray, outdoor community cats, pedigree/show cats, big/jungle cats – and can be fictional or nonfictional in nature. Entries may be any communications medium, such as a single article from a blog, website, magazine, column, newspaper, or newsletter, a book, a photograph (single or series), a video, an illustration, a poem, a graphic design, or more and should represent what the new member considers their best cat-related piece that was published (no manuscripts, etc.) for the current contest period (January 1, 2020 – December 31, 2020). If the work portrays cats in a positive manner and is appropriate to the intended audience, it could be award worthy. Qualified entrants must be new members of CWA, having joined the organization between January 1 – December 31, 2020. The winning entry must demonstrate a written/visual/audio presentation that either inspires, educates, informs, or entertains the audience (or any combination thereof).
AWARD: $500 CASH GRANT
04 DR. JIM RICHARDS CORNELL FELINE HEALTH CENTER VETERINARY ISSUES AWARD
Sponsored by Cornell University’s Feline Health Center, this award is presented for the highest-quality entry on the topic of technological advances, research, new medical developments, or innovations in feline veterinary medicine. Qualifying entries include single newspaper, magazine, or newsletter articles; columns or series of articles (print or online); blogs, a website, single books, videos, or radio/television broadcasts, designed to educate the general cat-owning public about new developments.
Award: $500.
05 FEAR FREE PETS AWARD
Sponsored by Fear Free Pets, this award is for the best article (print or online), book, blog/website, TV segment, radio spot, video, column, or other creative media format that best educates, promotes, or demonstrates the importance of how a cat’s emotional well-being can play a role in all aspects of its life and health, including veterinary care. Topics may include how decreasing fear, anxiety, and stress is beneficial to the patient and owner both during the veterinary visit and at home, a focus on Fear Free applications pre- and post-veterinary visit, or how going to a Fear Free certified professional is beneficial to staff, patients, and clients.
Award: $2,000 and a one-of-a-kind commemorative award.
06 GOODNEWSFORPETS.com HUMAN-ANIMAL BOND AWARD
Sponsored by goodnewsforpets.com, a digital publishing platform of Germinder + Associates, this award is presented for the entry that best reflects and promotes the strengthening of the human-animal bond, highlighting the bond between a cat and owner, as well as their relationship with their veterinarian as another direct caregiver.
Entries will be judged for exceptional quality and on the ability to convey this concept and connect with the reader. Qualified entries include single articles (print or online), features, columns, short stories, books, and poetry.
Award: $500 and a commemorative certificate.
07 GROOMING AND FELINE SKIN CARE AWARD
This award is sponsored by CWA and honors the best single entry on the topic of feline skin and coat care. Qualifying topics include, but are not limited to, coverage of home and professional grooming, hairballs, parasite control, nail care, bone and joint care, teeth and ear care, promotion of healthy skin and coat, and feline skin/coat disorders. Written and pictorial works in all media are acceptable, including articles, books, blogs, websites, online magazines, online newsletters, online columns, and videotape broadcasts.
Award: $500 and a commemorative item.
08 KARI WINTERS RESCUE AND REHABILITATION AWARD
Sponsored by The International Cat Association (TICA), this award is presented for the best single article or column (published in a newspaper, magazine, newsletter, or professional blog/website online venue or single radio or television broadcast) on the rescue and rehabilitation of cats or kittens from shelters or rescue groups for the purpose of adoption to forever homes. Entries are judged on compelling personal accounts and the education of readers on the need for rescue.
Award: This award consists of $500 and a plaque.
09 CATIT® KITTEN CARE AND RESCUE/ADOPTION AWARD
Sponsored by the Catit®, this award is presented for the best entry promoting kitten care, kitten rescue, and kitten adoption. Qualifying entries include “how to’s,” feral kitten rescue, early spay and neuter, orphaned kittens, and kitten adoption. Written and pictorial works in all media are acceptable, including articles, books, blogs, websites, online magazines, online newsletters, online columns, and videotape broadcasts.
Award: $500 and a commemorative item.
10 KUYKENDALL IMAGE AWARD
Sponsored by the CWA, this award is presented for the outstanding “image” entry featuring cats – whether photography, illustration, drawing, painting, or graphic art. This may be a single piece or series entry, including, but not limited to, photos/artwork published in a magazine, newspaper, newsletter, book, pamphlet, calendar, poster, greeting card, or commercial online publication.
Award: $500 and a commemorative item.
11 LORIE HUSTON HEALTH AWARD
This award, sponsored by the Catster/Belvoir Marketing Group, is presented for the outstanding single article, column, or blog (print or online) reporting on feline healthcare issues. Entries are judged on excellence of writing and technical accuracy; significance of the topic and public education impact on feline health are also considered.
Award: $500 and a commemorative item.
12 PET SITTERS INTERNATIONAL (PSI) PROFESSIONAL PET CARE AWARD
Sponsored by Pet Sitters International, this award is presented for the entry that best educates cat owners about the benefits of using professional pet sitters. Topics may include how to find a qualified pet sitter, how to introduce your cat to a pet sitter, as well as the overall importance to a cat’s physical health and emotional well-being to have professional supervision when a cat guardian must leave the cat home alone for extended periods of time. Qualifying online or print entries include newspapers, magazines, blogs, or websites.
Award: $500 and a commemorative certificate.
13 NANCY MARANO SENIOR CAT WELL-BEING AWARD
Sponsored by Fran Pennock Shaw and Ray Shaw, this award is presented for the highest-quality entry on the topic of older, aging, and senior cats. Topics can include, but are not limited to adoption, health, innovative and compassionate care, and senior-for-senior programs. Written and pictorial works in all media are acceptable, including articles, books, blogs, websites, online magazines, online newsletters, online columns, and videotape broadcasts. Named in honor of a late CWA member who died in her late 70s in 2020 and had served in many leadership roles with CWA.
Award: This award consists of $500 and a commemorative item.
14 SLEEPYPOD® CAT SAFETY AWARD
Sponsored by Sleepypod, this award is presented for the best entry on cat safety. The entry should take a positive approach to inform and educate the readership about feline safety issues, including, but not limited to safety in the home (such as foods and plants poisonous to cats), preparedness and training for natural disasters, moving, safe travel with cats, and general cat safety. Written, audio, and pictorial works in all mediums will be accepted, such as online columns or blogs, newsletter articles, photographs, radio/TV broadcasts, and videos.
Award: $750 cash grand and a commemorative item.
15 PIONEER PET BEHAVIORAL TRAINING AWARD
Sponsored by Pioneer Pet, the makers of SmartCat and Sticky Paws, this award is presented for the best article, book, video, or broadcast entry on training techniques. Entries should have a “how-to” focus. Appropriate entries are series or single articles (traditional print or online formats) such as from columns, blogs, websites, magazines, or newsletters; books with a singular focus on a particular training topic; or television, radio broadcast, or video presentations on topics such as (but not limited to) litter box training, tips and techniques for teaching cats not to scratch on furniture or other inappropriate places (focusing on providing them with alternative options to scratch on), trick training, or training cats to stay off counter-tops, tables, or other forbidden places.
Award: $1,000 and a commemorative certificate.
16 WORLD’S BEST® CAT LITTER-ARY AWARD
Sponsored by World’s Best® Cat Litter, this award is presented for the outstanding novel, short story, poem, or radio/ television dramatic script which portrays cats and cat ownership in a positive way. All fiction genres are eligible. Highest consideration goes to those entries that include cats as an intrinsic part of the plot. Works will be judged for the exceptional, individual quality (“voice” or “vision”) of the writer/creator. Eligible works may be published in print or electronic media; any scripts or videos must also provide proof of production.
Award: $500 and a commemorative pewter bowl.
17 Shojai Mentor Award
This award recognizes the CWA member who has offered guidance, encouraging counsel, support, or other help that has had a direct and positive influence on another’s writing or publishing success. Qualifying mentor experiences are limited to those occurring within the past three contest periods (approximately the past three years). The recipient exemplifies the highest ideals of the CWA vision, that is, to promote communal support, networking, and mutual respect between colleagues. Only CWA members are eligible for this award and must be nominated by another CWA member. The winner receives $500 and a commemorative item. It is judged by the CWA Council of Directors.
18 Michael Brim Distinguished Service Award
This award is presented in honor of CWA co-founder Michael Brim. It goes to the person who, by word, deed, public communication, and professional excellence, best promotes the ideals, mission, and best interest of the Cat Writers’ Association. The award honors extraordinary achievement and communications excellence. The winner receives $500 and his or her name engraved on a permanent commemorative plaque at the offices of the Cat Fanciers’ Association Foundation. It is judged by the CWA Council of Directors.
19 The CWA President’s Award
This overall top award is presented to the best entry among all Muse Medallion winners in the regular contest categories. Chosen by the CWA President, it recognizes the “Best of the Best”.All Muse Medallion winners are automatically entered and considered for the honor. The winner receives $500 and a commemorative item. It is judged by the CWA President.