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| Sahara the rescue dog with Sandy Matheson from Jet Pets and Rescue Awards founder Cathy Beer. |
This year I’ve taken some time out to work on some animal
welfare related projects about which I will reveal more in due course. One of
these was to be a judge for the Jet Pets 2019 Companion Animal Rescue Awards.
Awards like this are important in recognising the
incredible work that so many people put into caring for, rehabilitating and
rehoming companion animals all over Australia. They were founded by Cathy Beer,
from Pets4Life, to provide recognition.
The application process is almost a mini-audit, and
required entrants (of which there were ultimately 517) to review their
processes. Just entering a competition like this is a fantastic way of
reviewing an organisation’s strengths and weaknesses, and a means of
benchmarking.
It is important to document and recognise the good work
being done to promote animal welfare in a sustainable way. Lessons can be
learned from the organisations performing well, helping bring the others up to
speed.
Australia has
over 900 rescue groups and animal shelters supported by thousands of
volunteers.
Following the
announcement of the finalists on 9 October 2018, one winner from each of the
seven categories was selected by a panel of nine judges, of which I was one.
All judges volunteered their time.
All up, 200
organisations registered for the awards, with 89 rehoming organisations ultimately
completing a submission in categories 1-6.
Category 7, the
Advocate® People’s Rescue Story, was open to people who had adopted or fostered
a pet and there were 428 entries.
In reading the
applications, it struck me that there is a need for companion animal rescue and
rehoming organisations to discuss best practice and innovations to ensure all
companion animals find appropriate homes. Awards like this are one way of doing
it. If your organisation didn’t apply in 2018, consider applying in 2019 but do
allow time as application requires detailed responses.
WINNERS
Category 1:
Outstanding Rescue Group Saving Animals from Euthanasia (SAFE)
Category 2:
Outstanding Animal Shelter RSPCA QLD
Category 3:
Outstanding Council Animal Shelter Shire of Campaspe Animal Shelter
Category 4:
Innovation in Rescue Safe Pets Safe Families
Category 5:
Community Education and Outreach Program The Good Neighbour Project (Cat
Protection Society NSW)
Category 6:
Volunteer of the Year Frances O’Connell (AWL South Australia)
Category 7:
Advocate® People’s Rescue Story Jason Vallas and his faithful dog, Diesel
For more information/updates on the 2019 Awards, visit
www.rescueawards.com.au, follow the Rescue Awards on Facebook, Twitter and
Instagram or sign up to the newsletter here. #jetpetsrescueawards2018
