A cat that offers comfort to trafficked women has been named cat of the year at a national ceremony. Marley, a black and white cat who lives at a safe house for women who have been enslaved, exploited and trafficked, won the award because of his “gift of empathy”. Seven-year-old Marley beat thousands of other entries to win Cats Protection’s coveted award in recognition of the compassion he offers women at Caritas Bakhita House in London. Karen Anstiss, the head of the house, said: “I’m so proud Marley has won national cat of the year. He’s a wonderful example of the power of love. Often Marley placing a paw on our guests’ legs is the first kindness they’ve experienced in years. He has this incredible gift of empathy and has assisted many, many women along the road to recovery.” The award will be presented by the novelist, presenter and self-confessed cat lady Dawn O’Porter, who has said she learned so much about life and love from her cat that when it died, she had her freeze-dried. O’Porter’s beloved, and now freeze-dried, Siamese cat, Lilu, has been sitting on a chair in her dining room since she died in 2020. Caritas Bakhita House, which is home to 11 women from 11 countries, adopted Marley four years ago from a rescue shelter where he was placed after having been bullied by another cat in his family home. Anstiss said: “Before he went into rescue, I think he had a hard time, so he recognises our guests’ trauma because he has suffered too. Initially he sits really close, to see how the women respond. Then he gently puts a paw on their leg, letting them know they’re not alone. “We had one guest who was so traumatised she didn’t speak to us – only to Marley – and because she trusted him, over time we were able to reach her.” Anstiss said Marley was also a staff supervisor, a security guard who patrols the grounds and chief gardener. “Nobody is allowed to touch his patch of daisies,” she said. Marley is a popular guest at art therapy sessions too, and often joins the staff and guests at dinner. One guest has even composed a song for him. Anstiss said: “Marley really is the fluffy heart of our home.” To reach the final four cats in the national cat awards, Marley first won the “incredible cats” category, which celebrates cats whose bond with their humans inspires extraordinary acts of love, in a public vote. Marley was then selected as the overall national cat of the year by a panel of celebrity judges and won a trophy and a prize package that included a £200 voucher for a pet store. He follows in the pawprints of last year’s winner, Zebby, who won in recognition of the support he gives to his deaf owner, Genevieve Moss, by alerting her to sounds around the home.