Cats Protection Short Story Competition

The Cats Protection Short Story Competition is organised by Cats Protection, the UK’s largest cat welfare charity. This annual contest invites writers to craft imaginative short stories that centre on cats and their connection with people, offering publication opportunities and prize bundles to winning authors.

Entrants must submit original, previously unpublished short fiction in English of 250–1,000 words that features a cat at the heart of the story. There are two categories — one for stories aimed at readers under 16 and one for adult readers — and entries must follow the competition’s formatting and submission guidelines.

The competition is open to residents of England, Wales, Scotland, and Northern Ireland aged 18 or over; residents of the Channel Islands, Isle of Man, and the Republic of Ireland are not eligible. Stories are judged by a panel including established authors and media personalities.

Winning stories in each category are published in The Cat magazine and featured on the Cats Protection website. Category winners also receive an exclusive prize bundle from Cult Pens (worth up to £350) and may be invited to visit a Cats Protection adoption centre.

Is this competition legit?YES! – Based on our research this event is legitimate and the organizer is well established. However, as with any event, please remember to do your own research before submitting your work.

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If you are curious how writing competitions work, or it’s your first time entering one, we recommend reading our Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) page first.

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