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| Image: Jo Lyons Photography |
This year I am a judge for the Companion Animal Rescue Awards. Judging is an intensive and comprehensive process. We have teams of judges working on applications through various stages and now we have shortlisted the finalists.
For my part, its really important that we acknowledge, support and promote companion animal rescue done well. It is hard work, there are plenty of potential pitfalls, and the best organisations develop sustainable practices so they don't burn through resources, or volunteers and staff.
I've provided the official information below:
The Jetpets Companion Animal Rescue Awards is thrilled to announce the FINALISTS
of the 2019 Awards, which celebrate and recognise achievements in the rescue,
rehabilitation and rehoming of companion animals Australia-wide.
186,000 pets remain unclaimed in Australia’s pounds
and shelters every year¹, and thousands of volunteers dedicate their time to
finding homes for surrendered and abandoned animals. The Rescue Awards is the platform
to showcase excellence and innovation in rescue. In its second year, the program
attracted more than 1,000 entries – more than double that of last year’s!
“We received many excellent industry submissions
from around the country. The finalists have not only demonstrated best practice in animal care,
but also ensure the sustainability of their organisation for the future” said Cathy
Beer, Rescue Awards founder and rescue advocate from Pets4Life, an independent
education resource for cat and dog guardians.
“Hundreds of entries of pet adoption and foster
care were received for the Advocate® People’s Rescue Story category. The judges
were moved by extraordinary stories of resilience and human-animal bond. The
entries are an inspiration to rescue organisations to continue their efforts in saving and
rehoming companion animals,” she said.
This year, Jetpets is again the
Platinum Rescue Hero and naming Partner. Sandy Matheson, Jetpets Managing
Director, said: “Jetpets is proud to support The Companion
Animal Rescue Awards in its second year. It has been fantastic to watch the
program gain momentum as we all continue to celebrate the inspiring work rescue
groups and volunteers achieve day in and out for animals around Australia. The
awards are a very humbling initiative to be involved in and I congratulate all
of the finalists.”
JUDGES:
The Finalists were determined by a panel
of highly respected judges who have donated their time and expertise to assess the
Rescue Awards entries.
1. Nell Thompson, Coordinator for Getting 2
Zero (G2Z) and Secretary of the Australian Institute of Animal Management
(AIAM).
2. Tim Vasudeva, Director of Corporate
Affairs at Animals Australia.
3. Vickie Davy, Co-Founder & joint CEO of
PetRescue, not for profit organisation that brings thousands of rescue pets face-to-face
with thousands of potential adopters every day.
4. Dr Anthony Bennett, Veterinarian & Co-star
of Lifestyle Channel’s TV series Village
Vets.
5. Sandy Matheson, Founder & Managing
Director of Jetpets, a pet travel company focused on the safety, comfort and
welfare of pets.
6. Dr Anne Fawcett, Animal Welfare Veterinarian. Dr Anne’s blog is smallanimaltalk.com.
7. Dr Michael O’Donoghue, Small animal veterinarian and
Co-Founder of ‘People and
Pets’, a nationwide grief and pet loss counselling service.
8. Dr Alex Hynes, Emergency Veterinarian &
co-star in the new series of Bondi Vet
TV show.
9. Anne Boxhall, Companion
animal welfare advocate with 28 years’ experience in sheltering and rescue.
10. Dr Liisa Ahlström, Veterinarian, Companion Animal Products, Bayer Animal Health
11. Dan White, Senior Brand Manager, Bayer Animal Health
12. Cathy Beer, Founder of Pets4Life
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| Image: Jo Lyons Photography |
2019 FINALISTS
Outstanding Rescue Group:
Forever Friends Animal Rescue (VIC), Greyhound Rescue NSW, Maneki Neko Cat
Rescue (VIC), Perth Rescue Angels (W.A)
Outstanding New
Rescue Group: Precious Paws Animal Rescue (QLD), Dandy
Cat Rescue (VIC), Small Paws Animal Rescue QLD, Purrfect Paws Rescue (S.A)
Outstanding Animal
Shelter: Just Cats Tasmania, Second Chance Animal
Rescue (VIC), Cat Haven (WA), Central Coast Animal Care Facility (NSW)
Outstanding Council
Animal Shelter: Sutherland Shire
Animal Shelter (NSW)
Innovation in
Rescue: AMRRIC’s One Health Program (NT), Lort
Smith and Pets of the Homeless (VIC), Project Meow Geelong Cat Kindness Initiative
& Desexing (VIC)
Community Education
and Outreach Program: Second Chance
Animal Rescue Outreach Program (VIC), PAWS: Pet Awareness & Safety Program
(Camden Council, NSW), MADI Mobile Cat Desexing (Lost Dogs Home, VIC), Spring
Valley Program (Claws and Paws, NSW)
Volunteer of the
Year: Sue Quartermain of RSPCA Victoria, Jill
Pottter of Forever Friends Animal Rescue (VIC), Margaret Panetta of RSPCA
Victoria, Robert Morgan of RSPCA Victoria, Angela Hards of Pakenham Pony
Rescue (VIC)
WINNERS REVEALED
The winners will be celebrated at the Jetpets
Companion Animal Rescue Awards ceremony on 12 September 2019 during the 8th
National G2Z Summit & Workshops at the Mantra-On-View, Sunshine Coast, Queensland. More information to
come via the Rescue Awards website.
