BW0210 MAR 04,1998 13:43 PACIFIC 16:43 EASTERN
( EW)(RPT/WHISKAS-VITALIFE) REPEAT/Cat Award Winners Given Red-Carpet
Treatment At Black-Tie Ceremony in Beverly Hills; Stefanie Powers
Announces Winners of WHISKAS Vitalife Awards
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Entertainment Editors
REPEATING...
NOTE TO MEDIA: A photo is available on BW PhotoWire/AP
PhotoExpress, PressLink and on the "Today's PhotoWire" page of
Business Wire's Web site at www.businesswire.com
LOS ANGELES--(ENTERTAINMENT WIRE)--March 4, 1998--Arriving by
limousine and sporting million-dollar diamond necklaces on loan from a
Rodeo Drive jeweler, the nation's top felines were honored Tuesday
night at the first annual WHISKAS Vitalife Awards.
The ceremony took place at the glamorous Regent Beverly Wilshire,
and was hosted by actress and cat lover Stefanie Powers. The winners
in each category received a golden "Vita," a graceful feline statue,
plus a year's supply of WHISKAS food for cats.
The nominees were selected from thousands of entries that poured
in from devoted cat owners around the country in response to a WHISKAS
nationwide "cat call." The extraordinary felines and their owners were
then flown in from across the country to Beverly Hills to compete for
the awards.
The winner for Most Heroic was:
-- BUFFY, a 4-year old Tabby from Lewisville, Texas -- This quick-
thinking kitty averted a potential fire by putting out a lit
cigarette when her owner suffered a stroke. Owner: Les and Pam
Britton
The winner for Most Popular TV or Film Cat was:
-- SALTY -- Leah Thompson's lovable companion on NBC's "Caroline in
the City."
The winner for Glamour Puss was:
-- ZHUZHU MEOW, a 16-month old Scottish Fold from San Jose, Calif.
-- A pretty kitty whose huge, innocent eyes charm everyone she
meets, and whose beauty spot is just like Cindy Crawford's!
Owner: Wei Huang
The winner for Healthiest/Fittest was:
-- SUNNY, a one-year old domestic short hair from Anaheim Hills,
Calif. -- Among his many charming feats, this good-natured kitty
opens doors with his paws ... just like a human! Owner: Chris
Francisco
The winner for Most Agile was:
-- DONKA, a one-year-old Russian Blue from Key Largo, Fla. -- This
fabulously fit feline jumps 5 feet in the air to obtain sprigs of
baby's breath, which he then presents romantically to his owner.
Owner: Angi Botero
The winner for Oldest/Most Senior was:
-- LUCY, a 25-year-old Black Manx from Fort Worth, Texas -- Her
owner marvels at this special feline who has been a loyal
companion throughout her 25 years. Owner: Pamela Ellis
The winner for the Lifetime Achievement Award was:
-- PATTY DAVIES -- Animal Rescue & Care Fund Inc., Portland, Ore. --
Despite her diminutive stature and advancing age, Patty will go
to any length to rescue and rehabilitate abused and abandoned
cats -- even climbing ladders and standing up to bullies. In
addition to providing food and shelter and medical care at her
own expense, she also spends long hours finding the right home
for each of her charges.
The winner for Most Inspiring Survivor was:
-- PALANCE CIAGA, an 11-year-old Seal Point Siamese from New York --
An inspiring survivor of a shooting, beating and months of
nightmares -- and still a sweet, loving creature to all he meets.
Owner: William Neville
The grand prize winner was:
-- BUFFY, a 4-year-old Tabby from Lewisville, Texas -- This "top
cat" received an all-expenses-paid trip for two to the Waltham
Centre for Pet Nutrition in Leicestershire, England.
"As a long-time cat owner and animal lover, it is truly an honor
to be a part of the WHISKAS Vitalife Awards," said Powers. "The public
has been calling for a cats-only award show to honor America's most
popular pet for years. I'm glad that the people at WHISKAS are
sensitive to public sentiment and have created this great event."
All proceeds benefited the Society for Prevention of Cruelty to
Animals of Los Angeles (SPCA/LA).
--30--tjm/la mt/la
CONTACT: Murphy/O'Brien Communications
Rob Devor, 310/858-5750
KEYWORD: CALIFORNIA TEXAS NEW YORK OREGON FLORIDA
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PHOTO: bw2
