AN ISLE of Wight feline is among the finalists in this year’s National Cat Awards.

Tobi, from Shanklin, was a constant source of comfort for Islander, Misha, during a traumatic childhood.

Misha suffered serious mental health issues, attempted suicide and was taken into foster care at 15. Throughout it all, Tobi became a friend she could always depend on no matter how difficult life was.

Now 26, Misha continues to credit Tobi with turning her life around and is helping him cope with his own challenges after he was diagnosed with kidney disease in 2019.

She said: “I’m now an adult and to this day Tobi has been my rock, best friend and soulmate because I know for sure I would never have made it this far without him.

"Now Tobi has been diagnosed with kidney disease, it’s my turn to be strong for him, and it breaks my heart.

"Every Christmas and birthday are a blessing and I am grateful every day for the love, friendship and security he has given me for most of my life.

"He gave me the unconditional love, comfort and affection that I needed as a little girl.”

Tobi will feature in the Outstanding Rescue Cat category of the awards,

Cats Protection’s National Cat Awards, organised by the UK’s largest cat charity and sponsored by Purina, is normally an annual celebration of cats.

With last year’s event postponed due to the pandemic, this year’s awards will be hosted online.

Winners in three categories will be selected by celebrity judges - comedians Bob Mortimer and Russell Kane, and actress Tuppence Middleton, while the fourth category will be announced by entrepreneur Deborah Meaden following a public vote.

After category winners are announced online on August 5, an overall winner will be selected as National Cat of the Year by a celebrity panel and announced on August 12.

Awards organiser, Kate Bunting, said: "We are absolutely delighted to be returning with the National Cat Awards this year so we can share some of these inspirational, heartwarming and amazing stories from the cat world.”

Winners in four categories - Most Caring Cat, Furr-ever Friends, Outstanding Rescue Cat and Purina Better Together - will receive a trophy, a £100 pet store voucher, a year’s subscription to Cats Protection’s The Cat magazine and a three month supply of Purina cat food.