The First Ever Friskies Cat Video Winner Is…

The competition was fierce, however, no catfights broke out, and everyone kept their claws to themselves as they battled to be named the winner of a 2012 “The Friskies” award. Cute cats competed for votes with the ultimate goal of being named “Best Video,” but only one would emerge the year’s big winner. And that is…drumroll please…Oskar the blind kitty.

Oskar doesn’t let his lack of sight keep him down, attacking balls with bells inside just like every other kitty. Says the director of the video, Mick Szydlowski: “Oskar is completely blind, but he doesn’t let that slow him down one bit. He’s healthy, he’s happy, he does everything a regular cat would do.”

Oskar’s video earned him the Best Video title and the $15,000 Grand Prize. He also took home the official Friskies Catuette and a year’s supply of Friskies® brand cat food.

Four other cat videos took home $2,500 each as well as a one-year supply of Friskies cat food:

— Catness: “Black Cat Stick ’em Up” starring Cole; Tampa, Fla.

— Catcom: “Cat Alarm Clock” starring Boo; Elkhart, Ind.

— Catventure: “Cardboard Dreams” starring Milo, Otis, Barrett and Bates; Plano, Texas

— Catchall: “Kitty Plays Fetch” starring Nylah; Cherry Hill, N.J.

“This was an historic moment honoring the cats and people behind one of America’s most loved art forms,” said Shaun Belongie, Friskies® brand manager. “‘The Friskies’ awards show was memorable, quirky and fun, just like the finalists’ videos themselves.”

In addition to the awards, Friskies also donated 250,000 cans of cat food to cat rescue organizations, with 25 cat charities each receiving 10,000 cans.