Meghalaya cat features in PETA's list of cutest rescued cats

SHILLONG: A stray cat rescued near a landslide in Meghalaya's West Garo Hills district headquarters, has found itself in the top ten list of PETA India's 'Cutest Rescued Cat Alive' contest.

After sifting through hundreds of photographs of lovable rescued cats - as well as their rescue stories - Foku, whose guardian is S Tiwari of Tura, was selected as one of 10 finalists in the contest.

The voting for People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA) contest ends tomorrow and the results will be declared on August 13, a release said today.

Tiwari said it was raining heavily and there were landslides all around and near her house in Tura when she found 'Foku' all wet and frightened.

According to PETA, the guardian of the lucky cat who is named the Cutest Rescued Cat Alive will receive a first-place 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 T-shirt and a cute cat toy.

PETA CEO Poorva Joshipura in a statement issued here said, "All rescued cats are already winners because their lives were saved by people who love them for who they are."

"Foku is a lucky cat, indeed, and she has returned the favour of being rescued by bringing much love and joy into her guardian's life", she said.

The organization is holding the contest to urge prospective guardians to adopt a vulnerable cat from the streets or an animal shelter instead of buying kittens.