Purr Minister is back – as Battersea puts the emphasis on cat welfare
Voting is now open to find Westminster’s top cat as Battersea brings back their ‘Purr Minister’ competition for 2026
All too often, cats come second to dogs when discussing animal welfare, but a contest from Battersea puts the spotlight on our feline companions. Aiming to raise awareness of the crucial issues affecting cats today and highlighting responsible cat ownership, Battersea’s ‘Purr Minister’ contest is back for 2026.
The popular contest sees MPs and Peers’ cats compete to be named Westminster’s top cat. Each contestant has submitted a carefully crafted Manifursto, setting out why they should win your vote. And while these include everything you’d expect from a demanding moggy (unlimited naps and immediate snack distribution upon request), they also raise awareness of the very real challenges faced by cats and their owners, like hight vet bills.
You can read each candidate’s Manifesto, scroll through their adorable photos and cast your vote here. Public voting ends on 31 August 2026.
While this contest is good fun for all political cat-lovers, it’s also an opportunity for Battersea to use their voice in Westminster to keep cat welfare high on the agenda, calling for action on serious issues such as tackling harmful trends in how cats are bred to look, properly regulating cat breeding, and ensuring more cats are microchipped in line with the law.
The Cost of Cute hits cats
Battersea’s Cost of Cute campaign highlights the issue of animals being bred with extreme features such as flat faces, screw tails and folded ears, at the cost of their health and welfare.
Battersea has seen this become a big issue for cats. Popular cat breeds like Scottish Folds, whose folded ears are the result of a cartilage deficiency that can lead to pain throughout their bodies, and British Shorthairs, whose flat faces can cause breathing difficulties, are suffering from the impact of breeding for extreme features.
But there’s no sign of breeding reform
Despite the issues around breeding for extreme features, the government’s animal welfare strategy does not contain plans to regulate cat breeding. This is notwithstanding evidence that more people are getting cats from breeders – in 2025 38% of the UK’s had been bought from a breeder, compared to 28% in 2021. With the trend towards acquiring cats from breeders growing every year, failure to regulate soon means that concerning practices, like breeding for extreme features, could become embedded in the breeder marketplace.
Microchipping not reaching its potential
While microchipping is now compulsory for cats, Battersea’s new research found that over one in five cats do not have a microchip. The research also found that microchipped dogs are four times more likely to be reunited with their families than unmicrochipped dogs, so this greater likelihood of reunion can now benefit cats. Microchips are also important for identifying a cat’s owners if they are involved in a road traffic accident, providing much needed closure if a tragedy occurs.
Time to vote!
Now it’s time to meet the cats in the running for ‘Purr Minister 2026’ and cast your vote for your favourite! You have until 31 August to decide who Westminster’s top cat is.
Meet the cats!
Bella
Adrian Ramsay MP
At age 14, gorgeous Bella is the senior cat of our contestants. Will her experience and wisdom persuade the public that she has the right stuff? Bella says, “For too long we have suffered closed doors, visible bowl bottoms and unacceptable delays in tuna delivery.”
Clem and Mo
Johanna Baxter MP
‘Clement Cattlee’ and ‘Mo Meowlam’ combine political pedigree with faces you can’t say no to. They pledge to “reform the vet market to reflect the NHS spirit, ensuring care is based on need, not bank accounts. No more cat-astrophic bills.”
Ebba
Helen-Ann Hartley, Lord Bishop of Newcastle
You might think the pet of a spiritual Peer would stay above the political fray but sweet Ebba’s standing for Purr Minister “because it’s time to stop cat-napping through life and start living it paws-first!”
Millie
Dr Scott Arthur MP
Millie certainly knows how to strike a pose! She’s a real firebrand too, demanding “unlimited naps, prime sunbeam access, and immediate snack distribution on request. All cardboard boxes are sovereign cat territory.”
