We at We’re All About Cats are pleased to announce that we’re currently accepting applications for the annual “A Voice for Cats” scholarship contest. The winning essay writer will receive a prize of $1,000. An additional $1,000 will be donated to a rescue organization of the winner’s choosing.
A Voice for Cats
Our online cat community strongly believes in the importance of higher education. By sharing knowledge and information with our followers, we hope to help mitigate animal suffering and improve our pets’ lives. Every article, blog entry, social media post, research project, or essay is a small step towards our goal of better lives for cats.
We invite students to submit their essays on feline welfare and the humane treatment of cats. One outstanding essayist will be selected as the scholarship winner. The winning essay will be published on our blog and accredited to the author.
Requirements
- All essays must be submitted by Dec. 31st, 2020.
- The student must have a background volunteering or working at an animal rescue organization for at least 20 hours.
- Essay must be 300-500 words.
- The student must be currently enrolled in or enrolled to begin higher education studies in the fall semester 2020.
- Applicants must be permanent residents of the United States.
- We’re All About Cats will retain all rights to the submitted content and may publish it at its own discretion.
- This is an on-going scholarship. The above deadline refers to the current cycle only.
How To Submit Your Essay
- Please save your essay as a Word document and send it to scholarships@allaboutcats.com.
- Please title your e-mail “2020 Scholarship Submission – Last Name, First Name.”
- Please include a brief (50-100 words) personal bio. This bio will be published on our blog along with the submitted essay.
- Please note that before receiving any scholarship, selected essay writers must provide proof of identification and current residence.
2020 Scholarship Winner Announcement
We are accepting submissions for the “A Voice for Cats” scholarship contest through December 2020. The winner will be notified by the end of January 2021 and announced on the site at a later date.
Our Judges:
Mallory Crusta
Mallory Crusta is a writer and adventurecat enthusiast on a mission to make cats’ lives extraordinary. She’s one of the founders of Wildernesscat – a site for happy, healthy, and adventurous cats who are fueled by nature. Mallory is considered one of the top writers on the subject of catt care and nutrition
Marc-Andre
Marc Andre is the owner and brain behind Katzenworld. According to Wikipedia. Katzenworld is the UK’s biggest blog platform on the subject of the cats. Marc is considered one of the leading cat bloggers in the global pet community
*2018 Scholarship Winner:
Casey Kennedy from Arizona State University.
*2019 Scholarship Winner:
Erin Layton, from Stockton University
We’re All About Cats is an online feline-friendly community. Our goals are:
- To create a cat-loving community where cat-lovers can share stories, advice, and leave comments aiming to educate and entertain one another.
- Showcasing up to date information on cat food, cat litter, feline health and psychology.
- Sharing Tips and Tricks for Human-Cat relationship troubleshooting.
Hello,
I was wondering when the winner for the scholarship would be announced?
Thanks,
Audrey
Hi Audrey,
We’re trying to contact the winner.
Once we do we will announce it (Hopefully in the next few days)
Apologies for the dealy
Good morning to whom it may concern,
I am confused on the requirements it takes to apply. I am a senior that will go into college in the fall of 2021. However, I am a Dual-Credit College student that attends a Junior College along with High school. So I’m wondering if I am able to apply or if there will be a scholarship offered in 2021 that I can apply for? (I meet all the other requirements)
Have a great day!
Hello Allyna, you will be eligible to enter next year. Thank you!
Hello!
Your scholarship opportunity is listed on the Rowan University website for opportunities. I am trying to find out if you are open this year?
Thank you,
Hello Michelle, thank you for your interest in this opportunity. Yes, the “A Voice for Cats” scholarship contest is open for another round of submissions; we’ll be accepting entries through December of 2020. You’ll find all the updated details in the announcement above.
Is there a deadline for 2020 applications or is this scholarship opportunity available this year?
Hello Amy, sorry about the late reply! The “A Voice for Cats” scholarship opportunity is available this year and we will be accepting submissions through December 2020. Thanks for your interest!
Hi I have not volunteered at a traditional animal shelter but I did spend two years working at a local aquarium which specializes in wildlife conservation would that allow me to qualify for the scholarship?
Hello Jennifer, thanks for your interest in the A Voice for Cats contest. As a community for cat lovers, We’re All About Cats is focused on providing opportunities for students involved in domesticated animal rescue. Therefore, the contest is open to students who’ve volunteered or worked at organizations that officially operate as animal rescues, typically organizations that provide temporary homes for abused or homeless pets. While it sounds like your experience at the aquarium was valuable and supported wildlife conservation, it doesn’t fit into the category we’re prioritizing.
In case you haven’t yet seen it during your scholarship search, here’s a great guide to scholarships for animal lovers: https://www.top10onlinecolleges.org/scholarships-for/animal-lovers/
Good luck!
– Mallory
Hi!, I was just wondering what date or approximate date will the winner be notified? I just want to have a date so I can remember to check my email just in case I forget that I applied for this scholarship and to watch for the results.
Hello Emily, thank you for your interest in the scholarship contest! I can’t give you a precise date to mark in your calendar, but we will notify the winner by the end of January 2021. Hope this helps!
Can you tell me if this scholarship is only available to undergrads? My son is applying to grad school and would love to apply to this. Thanks!
Hi Jamie, thanks for your comment! The scholarship contest is indeed open to graduate students, so your son should be eligible.
Hi, I wanted to ask for more information about the essay at hand for this scholarship, as my style of writing is… a little different than most.
I am a ameuter horror/fantasy writer, going to college for creative writing. As a result, my submission would likely be less a direct factual submission and more a fictional story/creative short story dealing on “feline welfare and the humane treatment of cats”. I would like to know if something like this would be applicable as an essay or if it would be disqualified for being fantasy. I look forward to hearing back.
Hi Caleb, we’re looking for non-fiction essays on feline welfare and the humane treatment of cats. That said, we greatly appreciate creativity and you’re free to add your style to a non-fiction essay. I hope to see your entry in the running!
Best,
Mallory
Hi Mallory, will there be a scholarship contest again this year (submissions due by December 2020, for the 2021-2022 school year?
Thanks,
Mark
Mark, yes! The scholarship contest is open for submissions through the end of 2020. Thank you for your inquiry.
Hi- I’m a little confused about when I should be applying for the scholarship. I am in the process of applying to college for the year Sept 21-May 22. Do i apply for your scholarship now,with the deadline of 12/20?
Hello Michele, thanks for asking. It is a bit confusing, but the scholarship contest is only open to those who are currently enrolled in higher education studies as of fall 2020. If you’re interested, you may enter next year. Good luck!
Hello! Where do I go to submit my essay for this scholarship contest?? Thank you so much!
Hi Abby, please save your essay as a Word document and send it to scholarships@allaboutcats.com.
Thank you!
HI there,
Can I submit my essay as a PDF?
Hi Sarah, we accept Word documents only. Here’s an online tool that allows you to easily convert PDFs to Word documents. Thanks for your interest!
I was going to apply to volunteer at a shelter since I was turning the required age for the shelters near me, sadly because of the corona virus issue it was all canceled. I am a cat owner if that helps in any way?
Hi Maria, I understand that this is a difficult situation, but the scholarship contest is only open to those who have volunteered at an animal rescue. I’m sure you’ll be able to find other scholarship opportunities that will allow you to showcase your unique experience and perspectives. Good luck and thanks for your interest in the contest!
Hello,
I was trying to apply for this scholarship but it keeps saying that the email address does not exist. I am putting in scholarships@allaboutcats.com but it isn’t working.
Please let me know if I am doing anything wrong. Thank you.
Hi Kristine, thanks for the heads up! We’re looking into it.
Okay, thank you!
Him
I am trying to apply as well and the email is not working. What is the correct email?
thank you
Hello! I’ll be a a senior in high school this coming year (I won’t be graduating until 2021) and was wondering if I was still eligible to apply for this scholarship?
Hello Dulce,
Thanks for your interest, but the essay contest is only open to students who are currently enrolled in or are enrolled to begin higher education studies in the fall of 2020. We’d like to see your submission next year, though!
Hi! I’m trying to email the account listed: scholarships@allaboutcats.com. But it is telling me that the email does not exist. What is the correct email?
Hello Nelly, we are aware of this issue and working to correct it. I’ll let you know when we’ve found a solution. So sorry about the inconvenience!
Hi there! I’m going to be a sophomore in highschool this coming year, and I was just wondering if I was eligible to apply for the scholarship. I’d love it if someone could clarify whether or not I’m eligible to apply!
Hi Nandini, the scholarship is only open to students who are entering higher education studies in the fall. That includes community college, technical school, undergrad, grad, or post-grad studies. Since you’ll be continuing high school this year, you’re not yet eligible.
Hi!
I love that you guys are doing this and more importantly, I love what you are doing for the kitties! The plight of cats especially in this country is so heartbreaking and I worry for them all the time. I am so glad to have found this scholarship, and I would love to participate, as I have fostered so many cats and I know how misunderstood and under-represented they are. I have a lot to say I’m that, but I will get to my question, I have never officially volunteered at a physical shelter, where I lived in San Diego there was plenty of people willing to do that but there was a much greater need for foster homes since there are so few shelters and so many of them committed to canines. The greater need was for fosters and my mother is a biologist so that is what I did. That being said, I only fell into it because I was the founder and director of a non-profit that provided no-cost treatment to men with life controlling issues who were getting out of prison or jail sentenced to treatment but were unable to afford it. We were donated a large property for use and our guys often had no one and needed love and given my experience with rescues, the two are a perfect match! We had everything from cats to Nile monitors, even a litter of illegally bred domestic raccoons the sheriffs department dropped off once. While it wasn’t official I also spent a lot of time with the animals at the shelters but just to play and pick up so I don’t lack perspective in that regard. Does that count? Whether it does or not I sincerely appreciate what you do and wish you all the best in helping our kitties!
Hi Joshua, thank you for your interest in the scholarship contest and for taking the time to ask if you’re eligible. Since you’ve rescued animals to stay at your non-profit’s property and have also fostered cats, I think that you qualify as a non-traditional volunteer at an animal rescue. I’m looking forward to seeing your submission. Good luck with everything!
– Mallory
Great! Thank you! I am looking forward to it as well!
This is compulsory for this scholarship that candidate working at animal rescue organization for at least 20 hours? or If I have a cat Then can I apply for this scholarship?
Hello there Maximillian, the scholarship contest is strictly open to those with at least 20 hours spent volunteering at an animal rescue organization. Thank you for your interest!
What age can you do the essay and try to get the scholarship.
Hello! Students of all ages are welcome to enter, provided that they are enrolled or scheduled to enroll in undergraduate or graduate courses in the fall of 2020.
Can I submit an essay scholarship for a voice for cats I have not volunteered for 20 hours but have had some experience volunteering at the animal shelter.
thank you!
Hey Gwen, thanks for your interest in the scholarship contest. The contest is only open to students who have volunteered for 20 hours or more, so unless you can get in some more hours before the entry deadline, you’ll be ineligible to enter this year.
Hey there!
I’ve read the previous comments mentioning that your email doesn’t work properly, as I have had the same issue today.
Just checking in on that :: August 4th, 2020
Hey Eve, thank you. I’ve contacted our developer and we will be solving this problem ASAP. Sorry about the frustration. – Mallory
Hi, I am just a little confused as to what the specific prompt is. What is it?
Hi Mira, thank you for the comment. Entrants should submit an essay that captures their thoughts on one or more aspects of feline welfare and the humane treatment of cats. That could be a personal anecdote about an experience with a feral cat colony, a piece on a place in the world where cats are receiving unusual care, or predictions on the future role of cats in our society. The prompt is fairly broad, giving you a good bit of flexibility in what you choose to cover. We’re looking for well-written, thoughtful submissions that express a unique perspective. Hope this provides some clarity!
Hi there! I have a question. While I do not work/volunteer at an animal shelter, I started a club at my high school to help the wild cat population in my city. Would this count towards the 20 hours? It’s a TNR program where we lend out traps and help people catch the cats around their neighborhoods. Once they are caught, we take them to get fixed. The club gets no money for it and everything the club owns is from my garage. I just want to know if this would be an acceptable replacement for the 20 hours. Have a nice day!
Hello Alexis. Thanks for your interest in our scholarship contest. As long as you’ve put in at least 20 hours with your TNR program, I think it’s equivalent to volunteering at a shelter. Go ahead and submit your essay if you wish. Good luck!
HI!
Is the email for submissions up and running yet?
Thanks so much.
Thank you for checking back in! Yes, we were able to correct the problem. Please feel free to make your submission whenever you’re ready. Good luck!
Hi! I really don’t understand if I have to put my personal bio first, or before my essay.
Hello Evelyn, thank you for your interest in entering the A Voice for Cats scholarship contest! Please include your personal bio at the head of your essay document. The bio should not be included in the word count, so make sure that you confirm the essay word count separately. Good luck and we look forward to receiving your submission!
Hello, my name is Ann Lisa and I work in the counseling dept. of a high school. Some of the students take college classes. I am also the advisor for The Pet Club at our school. We sponsor a spay and neuter clinic each year for the community and include shots and chips as well. We help rescue orphan pets, raise money for the clinic, and volunteer at the local animal shelter. I was wondering if I can offer this scholarship to our Seniors who will graduate in June. This would be a great way to highlight their efforts and show them how much they are appreciated for all they do.
Hello Ann, absolutely! Any students who have worked with The Pet Club and intend to begin higher education in the fall are more than welcome to enter our contest. Thank you!
I’ve volunteered at my local shelter but I do not have any proof for it. Will I have to submit proof?
Faiza, we’ll take your word for it—please describe your volunteering experience in the 50-100-word bio included in your submission. Thank you for your interest!
We TOTALLY qualify for this and we are SO excited. I’m still a bit confused on your “dates”. My daughter is graduating 2021 from high school. Is your Dec 2020 due date for students entering college Fall 2021?
Hi Kelli, I understand your confusion given that the deadline doesn’t align with the start of the fall semester, but the scholarship contest is open to students who are or will be enrolled in higher education at the end of 2020. Your daughter won’t be eligible this year, but she can enter next year’s contest. Thank you for your interest!
Hi! As far as the volunteer requirement goes, I was wondering if only literally volunteering at the shelter counts, or if I would qualify after having completed a 50+ hour service project directly working with and benefitting my local animal shelter?
Hello Bria. Yes, your 50-plus-hour service project should qualify as long as the animal shelter was directly involved. Please include this experience in your short bio when you enter. Good luck!
Hi there. My daughter is starting college in the Fall of 2021. Does that mean she can’t apply for this scholarship for the December 2020 deadline or is she eligible?
Hello Kasey, your daughter will be eligible to enter next year. Thank you for your interest and good luck to both of you!
Hi! I have two questions about this scholarship. I volunteer at a wild cat conservation center, does this count? And, I’m applying for the fall 2021 semester for higher education, so am I not allowed to apply?
Hello Josephine, thank you for your inquiry! Our scholarship contest is geared towards students who are involved in volunteer work related to domesticated cats, not wild cats. Additionally, the contest is only open to students applying for or enrolled in higher education in 2020. Thank you for your interest!
Hello and Good Afternoon!
Regarding the bio statement, is that or can it be a separate document? Or do we include that small paragraph in a page before the essay? If yes, would I need to put it in the title page or in a page below it?
Thank you 🙂
Hello Alexa, you can place it in the document itself, after the title page. Thank you!
Is this scholarship open to High School Seniors that won’t begin higher education till 2021 if we have volunteers for over 20+ hours at an animal shelter or should I wait till next year?
Hi Bailey, thank you for your interest! You’ll have to wait until next year to enter. Again, your interest is appreciated and I wish you all the best.
Good Afternoon
I have current high school students who are enrolled in our local community college taking full-time college classes. Are they eligible to apply for this scholarship?
Hi Matt, yes—your students would be eligible to apply provided that they have met the volunteer requirement as well. Thank you!
Hi I was wondering if this is for the 2020-2021 school year?
Hi Jenna, yes, it is!
Hello,
I have not been able to volunteer yet. But I was wondering if helping feral cat colonies count? I have been taking care of them (feeding/TNR) for the past two years and have been trying to help raise awareness to other cat lovers when I work with younger kids. Thank you.
Hello Jewelie, please describe your involvement in feral cat colonies—including your TNR program and increasing awareness—when you apply to the scholarship contest. Thank you for your interest and I wish you all the best.
Hello! If I have not been able to volunteer at the organization, but have spent time holding fundraisers to raise money for the organization and have visited the organization numerous times, does that still count? I’m now a freshman in college and have spent 3 years in high school hosting bake sales and other fundraisers to give to the organization since they don’t have the room to take volunteers. Thank you!
Hi Sarah, only entrants with experience directly working with an animal shelter or rescue organization are eligible to win. Thank you for your interest!
Hello,
I was reading the requirments that are needed to be met in order to meet the standards for this essay contest and came across a couple questions that I have. When I was much younger then I am now I did volenteer at my local animal shelter for over 20 hours however, that was a couple years ago, does that matter? If not, I have now been working at a Veterinary Clinic where I have earned coutless hours working hands on with cats and many other animals under Licsened Veterinarian supervision that specialize in the care and treatment of domesticacted animals majority being dogs and cats, accosionally exotics. I look forward to hearing back from you as if I meet the requirments for this essay contest I would like to start on it right away. Please let me know.
Respectfully,
Crisanta
Hello Crisanta, please go ahead and detail your experience when you apply. Good luck!
Hi. It’s unclear if I am eligible to apply for this scholarship.
I am a senior in high school, starting college in the Fall 2021 semester. However, I have been a local college student through the Minnesota State Post Secondary Education Oppertionitys (PSEO) program since the Fall 2018 semester. So technically, I’ve already started higher education studies despite still being a high school student. Can you clarify this for me?
Thanks!
Hello Amara, provided that you meet the other requirements, you will be eligible to enter next year. Thank you for your interest!
Hello!
What are the essay requirements? Are there strict requirements? I just see “We invite students to submit their essays on feline welfare and the humane treatment of cats. “
Hi Rubyjean, there are requirements outlined in the “Requirements” section on the page above. They are as follows:
All essays must be submitted by Dec. 31st, 2020.
The student must have a background volunteering or working at an animal rescue organization for at least 20 hours.
Essay must be 300-500 words.
The student must be currently enrolled in or enrolled to begin higher education studies in the fall semester 2020.
Applicants must be permanent residents of the United States.
We’re All About Cats will retain all rights to the submitted content and may publish it at its own discretion.
This is an on-going scholarship. The above deadline refers to the current cycle only.
Hi, where do i let you know where i have volunteered and what college i am going to? Or is that discussed in further detail if i was selected as the winner? Thank you!
Hi Julianna, please include a short bio in a separate document attached along with your submission. Thank you!
Will we be disqualified for having a little over 500 words?
Please edit your piece to remain just under the 500-word limit. Thank you!
Hello,
I just stumbled upon this scholarship opportunity and absolutely love its premise. Will you be offering it again in the future?
Hi Rachelle, while I can’t make any promises right now, we do plan to continue to run the scholarship in the future.