'Christmas cat' a winner with voters

A festive feline has captured the hearts of Stratford's pet loving community according to the final vote count from the Taranaki Vet Centre Pet Idol competition.

Romeo, a long-haired ragdoll cat in a Christmas outfit, has been named winner of the 2015 competition, scooping the title from other entrants with over a third of the votes.

Romeo was adopted by Karla Lawrence and Lyle Crudis almost two years ago. "He was the one kitten picking on the others and I thought that was cute," says Karla, adding that she picked a male cat as Romeo was on the top of her list for names.

Karla describes Romeo as being a cheeky and playful "older brother" to the couple's other cat, Juliet.

By winning the 2015 Taranaki Vet Centre Pet Idol title, along with bragging rights, Romeo has won a $300 voucher to spend at Taranaki Vet Centre. While Romeo might have high hopes of new toys or a velvet bed to sleep on, Karla says the voucher will be used by her mother who will looking after Romeo for the next two years.

Karla and Lyle are off on a trip of a lifetime to Canada and sadly Romeo and his 'little sister' Juliet won't be travelling with them. "I am really grateful to mum for agreeing to look after the cats, this money works out to be around 20 flea treatments so that will definitely come in handy."

This is the second year that Karla has entered Romeo in the Taranaki Vet Centre Pet Idol competition, "I knew he could win Stratford's heart this time".

Karla and Lyle leave later this month, and while Romeo isn't going to be pleased to see them go, Karla believes he's looking forward to presents from the couple's travels.

Close to 300 votes were cast for the Taranaki Vet Centre Pet Idol competition and Stratford Press advertising manager Jessica Hughes is thrilled with the response and extends her gratitude to competition sponsors Taranaki Vet Centre.

Jessica says the popular competition will back in 2016 to showcase even more of Stratford's cute and cuddly companions.