All eyes are on Marley, Caritas Bakhita House’s resident cat, who has been selected as a finalist for the ‘Incredible Cats’ category of this year’s National Cat Awards. Click here to vote for Marley today.

Caritas Bakhita House is our safe house for survivors of modern slavery, exploitation and human trafficking. Since opening in 2015, the centre has provided accommodation to 195 women and 16 babies from almost 50 different countries.

The centre recently published an Impact Report showcasing the life-changing impact of its holistic, trauma-informed approach on former guests.

Karen Anstiss, Head of Bakhita House, commented: ‘Often Marley placing a gentle paw on our guests’ legs is the first kindness they’ve experienced in years. He has this incredible gift of empathy, knowing instinctively who needs him.

‘We adopted Marley four years ago and I think he’d suffered abuse as he is terrified of men aged around 30. So he recognises our guests’ trauma. One woman was in such distress she couldn’t speak to us, only to Marley. But, because she trusted him, over time we were able to build a bridge and reach her.

‘Marley, who is seven, is also staff supervisor, security guard, patrolling the grounds, and chief gardener. Nobody is allowed to touch his patch of daisies! In art therapy he’s a popular muse and one guest even composed a song for him.

‘At 7pm staff and guests sit down for dinner together, like a family, and Marley joins us. He’s the fluffy heart of our home.’

Voting closes on 30th August, so be sure to cast your vote!