On November 7, the Cat Writers’ Association proudly celebrated the winners of its Special Awards at the CWA Awards Gala. These honors reflect the CWA’s partnerships with sponsoring companies that share a commitment to enriching the lives of cats everywhere.
Each award includes a cash prize recognizing exceptional creativity and expertise in areas such as feline behavior, safety, senior‑cat advocacy, adoption, the human–cat bond, and cat‑focused fiction. Writers and creators across a wide range of media—print, digital, broadcast, video, and more—are invited to submit work ranging from articles and books to scripts, poems, and visual broadcasts.
The six sponsored awards are evaluated by independent judges who are not affiliated with the Cat Writers’ Association or the sponsoring companies. The judges are distinguished professionals in their fields who generously volunteer their time and expertise.
The two CWA‑sponsored service awards rely on nominations and are designed to acknowledge our colleagues who consistently go above and beyond in their service to the CWA community. The Presidents’ Award is presented to the Muse award winner deemed to represent the highest level of excellence.
* For a full description of each award, please go to 2025 Special Awards Category Descriptions.
ANNOUNCING THE WINNERS…
PIONEER PET BEHAVIORAL TRAINING AWARD
The special judge for this award was Dawn Wolfe.
The winning entry is Mute the Volume: How Silence Helps Scared Shelter Cats Get Adopted.
CONGRATULATIONS TO
Dusty Rainbolt
Who wins $1,000 and a commemorative item for the best entry on cat training techniques. Entries should have a “how-to” focus Entries should have a “how-to” focus on topics such as (but not limited to) litter box training, leash training, etc.
SLEEPYPOD® CAT SAFETY AWARD
The special award judge was integrative medicine veterinarian Dr. Jeff Grognet, founder and CEO of New Earth Vet.
The winning entry is Hidden Household Dangers for Cats.
CONGRATULATIONS TO
Laurie Coughlan
Who receives $750 through the Sleepypod® Cat Safety Award, recognizing the strongest entry dedicated to improving cat safety.
NANCY MARANO SENIOR CAT WELL-BEING AWARD
The special judge was Dr. Gary Weitzman, DVM, president and CEO of the San Diego Humane Society.
The winning entry is Farewell My Sweet Zoey – the Perfectly Imperfect Goodbye.
CONGRATULATIONS TO
Deborah Barnes
Who was awarded $750 through the Nancy Marano Senior Cat Well-Being Award, named in honor of longtime CWA member Nancy Marano, and presented for the highest-quality entry on the topic of older, aging, and senior cats.
WORLD’S BEST® CAT LITTER-ARY AWARD
The special award judge was Dr. Cynthia Rigoni, DVM, owner of the All Cats Veterinary Clinic in Houston, TX.
The winning entry is Trick or Treat, a September Day & Shadow thriller series.
CONGRATULATIONS TO
Amy Shojai
Who wins $500, presented for an outstanding work of fiction that portrays cats and cat ownership in a positive way.
GOODNEWSFORPETS.COM HUMAN-ANIMAL BOND AWARD
Our special judge for this award was Steven Feldman, president of Human Animal Bond Research Institute (HABRI).
The winning entry is Whiskers in the Wild: Saving and Socializing Community Cats.
CONGRATULATIONS TO
Debra Blaine
who receives $500 and a commemorative certificate for an outstanding entry that reflects and promotes the strengthening of the human-animal bond and highlights the bond between a cat and a human.
TICA KARI WINTERS RESCUE & REHABILITATION AWARD
Our special judge for this award was Amy Turner, a medical volunteer for Rescue-Me.org.
The winning entry is Doing Better: Improving the Objectivity of a Cat Behavior Assessment.
CONGRATULATIONS TO
Jacklyn Ellis
Who is awarded $500 and a commemorative item through the TICA Kari Winters Rescue and Rehabilitation Award, named in honor of author and cat rehabilitation volunteer Kari Winters, presented for the best written work on rescuing and rehabilitating cats or kittens.
MICHAEL BRIM DISTINGUISHED SERVICE AWARD
Nominated by CWA member Mollie Hunt.
CONGRATULATIONS TO
Mewla Young
Who receives $500 and a commemorative item through the Michael Brim Award, named after CWA co-founder Michael Brim, for extraordinary service to the organization. This year’s award was sponsored by the Cat Writers’ Association and CWA member Allene Tartaglia.
SHOJAI MENTOR AWARD
Nominated by CWA member Lucy Dury.
CONGRATULATIONS TO
Teresa Keiger
Who is awarded $500 and a commemorative item through the Amy Shojai Award, named for CWA co-founder and author Amy Shojai, for the CWA member who has offered guidance, encouraging counsel, support, or other help that has had a direct and positive influence on another’s professional success. This award is sponsored by the Cat Writers’ Association.
Cat Writers’ Association President’s Award
The judge for this award is CWA President Andrea Dorn.
The winning entry is Feline, published by Abrams Books.
CONGRATULATIONS TO
Tim Flach & Jonathan Losos
The Cat Writers’ Association President’s Award is the top award presented to the best entry among all Muse Medallion winners in the regular contest categories, recognizing the “Best of the Best”. This award is sponsored by the Cat Writers’ Association.