Updates on palliative end of life care and companion animals, companion animal euthanasia and Companion Animal Rescue Awards

 

One silver lining of the global pandemic has been the widespread availability of accessible continuing professional development. If you’re in hard lockdown, as we are here at SAT HQ, it’s a good time to update or upskill. 

And you don’t need to organise someone to dog, cat, bird or other-species sit while you travel to a conference. While I’ve been learning, Hero has been fast asleep on my desk, dreaming away while I listen (most recently to the ANZCVS online Science Week series).

Another silver lining of the pandemic is that people who cohabit with senior animals who find themselves in hard lockdown are able to ensure their comfort 24. However, animals who are very old or at the approaching the end of their lifespan may suffer declines in quality of life, due to various conditions and afflictions. Some of these can be managed to improve quality of life.

In just over a week on Saturday August 7 I will be taking part in the Australian Veterinary Palliative Care Virtual Education Event, a four-hour conference which will cover a range of topics including:

• Symptom burden and prognosis: lessons learned from the human healthcare model (Jackie Campbell)
• Is a natural death better for companion animals (than a veterinary assisted death) (myself)
• Night walking in geriatric dogs (Heather Chee)
• Lumbosacral disease in dogs: a physiotherapists approach (Brooke Williams)
• Management of chronic nausea and vomiting (Gemma Birnie)
• Preparing clients for loss: conversations and resources every practice should have (Rosie Overfield)

For more information or to register, visit www.avpcac.com/conference or email admin@avpcac.com

As always, discussions of end of life care can be upsetting, and do raise deep philosophical questions. I’ve just written this reflection on ethically indicated euthanasia in companion animal practice. You can access it here: https://www.mdpi.com/2306-7381/8/8/141  

Finally, if you have not already entered the Pet Insurance Australia Companion Animal Rescue Awards, now is the time to do so as entries close on July 31.

Categories include Volunteer of the Year, Foster Carer Story and People’s Rescue Story. To find out how to enter, visit: https://rescueawards.com.au/

I have supported these awards every year since they began as a volunteer judge because they acknowledge and promote the incredible, innovative, compassionate and very hard work of those committed to finding companion animals suitable, safe homes.

If you are going to enter, don’t leave it to the last minute – the entries do take a bit of time, and the judging is rigorous.

Stay safe.

2021 Companion Animal Rescue Awards - now open for entry!

(c) Jo Lyons Photography 2021.

Coronavirus isolation led to a surge in pet adoptions over the past year, saving thousands of animal lives. The Companion Animal Rescue Awards returns for its fourth year to celebrate and inspire rescue groups and animal shelters who have made an impact and continue their efforts in saving companion animals.

 

The Rescue Awards is Australia’s first and only national awards program for hard working rescues, shelters, foster carers and passionate pet adopters. The program is managed by Pets4Life, an independent education resource for cat and dog guardians and those thinking of getting a pet.

 

At a celebration with guests from Greyhound Rescue, 2020 Outstanding Rescue Group winner, the Rescue Awards welcomed Pet Insurance Australia as the new Platinum Rescue Hero and Naming Partner. The program is now called the ‘Pet Insurance Australia Companion Animal Rescue Awards 2021’.

(c) Caroline Zambrano, Pet Journo.  

“The Rescue Awards is absolutely delighted to welcome Pet Insurance Australia as our new Naming Partner,” said Cathy Beer, pet adoption advocate and founder of the Rescue Awards and Pets4Life.

 

“Pet Insurance Australia is one of our wonderful founding Supporters, right from the start in 2018. Pet insurance is critical to ensure pets receive top quality veterinary treatment and care. This fine Australian family-owned business brings an international reputation for excellence and a caring approach to their customers seeking pet insurance.”

 

The mission of the Rescue Awards is to celebrate and acknowledge achievements in the rescue, rehabilitation and rehoming of companion animals in Australia. It is the platform to showcase excellence and innovation, thereby raising the standards of rescue groups and animals shelters nation-wide.

(c) Jo Lyons photography, 2021.

 

“The Rescue Awards shines the spotlight on thousands of heart-warming stories from pet adopters and foster carers about how their adopted/foster pet has transformed and changed lives,” said Cathy.

 

Every year, approximately 190,000 pets remain unclaimed in Australia’s pounds and shelters, and thousands of volunteers support over 1,000 rescue groups and animal shelters across Australia¹. The Rescue Awards recognises the dedication of staff and volunteers who work tirelessly to help rescue pets find homes.

 

“Our past winners and finalists say the recognition by the Rescue Awards gives their staff and volunteers the motivation to ‘keep calm and carry on’ re-homing surrendered and abandoned pets every day in a challenging environment,” said Cathy.

 

In 2021, the Pet Insurance Australia Companion Animal Rescue Awards is building on the success of 2020 when over 1,000 entries were received.

 

Returning as the Rescue Awards Ambassador is Lara Shannon, Certified Dog Trainer, Animal Welfare Advocate, author of ‘Eat, Play Love your Dog’, Host of Channel 10’s Pooches at Play and features in Channel 9s The Pet Rescuers. Lara shares her enthusiasm for the Rescue Awards in her video message.

 

Pet Insurance Australia Spokesperson Nadia Crighton said, “Pet Insurance Australia is thrilled to be the Platinum Rescue Hero and Naming Partner for the Pet Insurance Australia Companion Animal Rescue Awards for 2021.”

 

Ali Osmani, Pet Insurance Australia CEO, said, "After supporting these important awards for the past four years, it's a great honour to continue our support in a larger capacity. We encourage Australian rescues and shelters who work tirelessly to rehome, rehabilitate and foster pets of all shapes and sizes to enter and get the recognition they deserve."

 

Cathy also revealed this year’s Judges, Categories, Supporters and Prizes, and thanks animal lovers across the country for helping to make a difference by adopting or fostering a pet.

 

Rescue Award Categories

The Rescue Awards 2021 has 10 Categories with one winner for each category.

 

Award categories 1 – 8 are for industry. Category 9, the People’s Rescue Story’ is for Aussie pet guardians who have adopted a pet and category 10 is the Foster Carer Story’ for foster carers of companion animals waiting for their forever home.

 

PET INSURANCE AUSTRALIA RESCUE

AWARDS 2021 CATEGORIES

 

1.        Outstanding Rescue Group

2.        Outstanding New Rescue Group

3.        Outstanding Animal Shelter

4.        Outstanding Council Animal Shelter

5.        Innovation in Companion Animal Welfare and Management

6.        Community Education and Outreach Program

7.        Volunteer of the Year

8.        Refuel Creative Digital Marketing

9.        People’s Rescue Story

10.    Foster Carer Story

A note on my involvement

What is my role? I have volunteered as a judge for the Companion Animal Rescue Awards since their inception.

What does it involve? the judging is extremely rigorous. The applications are extensive – designed to enable those in Companion Animal Rescue to be recognised for their work they do, but also to ensure they are meeting high standards. If I have a conflict of interest with a particular individual or organisation, I don’t assess that application. There are several rounds of judging to ensure the panel is comfortable and confident with the decision. Category winners can be assured that they have really achieved recognition.

Why am I doing this? Here and in many parts of the world we continue to have a surplus of companion animals – but this is reducing. The field of companion animal rescue has evolved so much in the last decade, and there are individuals and organisations innovating to reduce length of stay in shelters, maximise rehoming rates and maximise animal welfare. To ensure this improvement continues, we need to make sure that those people doing the RIGHT thing are recognised, and that effective innovations can be shared.

Personally, I am also impressed that the Companion Animal Rescue Awards recognise not just animal welfare, but the welfare of those working in this field – one singled out for high rates of moral stress and burnout in published literature. We need to make sure that systems are sustainable, and that individuals and organisations recognised share compassion not just with animals, but also the teams who look after them.

What next? I encourage you to enter, but don’t wait until the last minute. The application process is comprehensive. You will need to think about the responses, gather the relevant information, and spend a bit of time. You might realise there is an area you hadn’t thought about before – that’s part of the benefit of entering these awards. 

Winners of the 2019 Jetpets Companion Animal Rescue Awards Announced

Most of the winners were able to attend and collect their awards on the night. Photography: (c) Jo Lyons Photography.

Last week the winners of the Jetpets Companion Animal Rescue Awards were announced at the Getting 2 Zero Summit. I've included the press release below. There were so many worthy finalists and winners. Its great to see their work recognised.

The Jetpets Companion Animal Rescue Awards is thrilled to announce the WINNERS for 2019. The Rescue Awards is a national program that celebrates and recognises achievements in the rescue, rehabilitation and rehoming of companion animals Australia-wide.

“In our second year, it was very competitive with more than 1,000 entries across 8 categories, which made it very difficult for the judges! Our amazing winners demonstrated excellence and innovation in their approach to improving the lives of companion animals in their communities,” said Cathy Beer, Rescue Awards Founder and pet adoption advocate from Pets4Life, an independent education resource for cat and dog guardians.

Following the announcement of the Finalists in August, one winner from each category was selected by an expert panel of 12 Judges. The winners were revealed on 12 September 2019  among hundreds of their peers at a special Rescue Awards Ceremony held during the 8th National G2Z Summit & Workshops in Queensland. Bondi Vet, Dr Alex Hynes and her rescue dog, Yoshi announced the winner of the Volunteer of the Year. The Ceremony was broadcasted live across the country via the Rescue Awards Facebook page.

A selection of the judges, overshadowed by Yoshi who lives with Alex (in the red dress). Image (c) Jo Lyons Photography.

This year, Jetpets is again the Platinum Rescue Hero and naming Partner. Sandy Matheson, Jetpets Managing Director, said, “Jetpets congratulates this year’s winners of the Companion Animal Rescue Awards. The quality of the entries were outstanding, and we are humbled to be able to share in celebrating the achievements of rescue organisations, volunteers and adopters alike, who have had a significant impact on the welfare of companion animals Australia wide.

For category 8, the Advocate® People’s Rescue Story received hundreds of entries from Aussie pet guardians who shared their stories about pet adoption and fostering.  Dan White, Senior Brand Manager of Advocate® at Bayer said it was incredibly difficult narrowing our choice down to 10 Finalists, let alone choose an overall winner!

Dan said, “The judging, although a lengthy process, has also been a thoroughly rewarding and uplifting one. All the stories – although different in a number of ways – have one thing in common: they demonstrate the difference a re-homed pet can make to an individual or people’s lives. 

“Moreover, the fact that almost twice as many stories were submitted as last year further demonstrates there are still many amazing and inspiring stories to be told.  Our overall winner (Sally and her hero cat Sandy) really exemplifies a real-life rescue story because Sandy literally saved Sally’s son’s life.  It’s been a real privilege for Advocate® and Bayer to be involved for the second year running.” 

Sandy the cat. Image by Sally Gaunt.

Cathy thanked Supporters for making the Rescue Awards possible, and acknowledged the great efforts of rescue groups, animal shelters and thousands of volunteers across the country.

Rescue Awards Ambassador and Animal Behaviourist Dr Joanne Righetti also congratulated the winners and thanked rescue organisations and their volunteers for helping surrendered and abandoned pets get a second chance in a loving home.

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

2019 WINNERS

Category 1: Outstanding Rescue Group - Maneki Neko Cat Rescue (VIC)

Category 2: Outstanding New Rescue Group - Dandy Cat Rescue (VIC)

Category 3: Outstanding Animal Shelter - Second Chance Animal Rescue (VIC)

Category 4: Outstanding Council Animal Shelter - Sutherland Shire Animal Shelter (NSW)

Category 5: Innovation in Rescue – AMRRIC’s One Health Program (NT)

Category 6: Community Education and Outreach Program – Camden Council’s PAWS: Pet Awareness and Safety Program (NSW)

Category 7: Volunteer of the Year - Sue Quartermain (RSPCA Victoria)

Category 8: Advocate® People’s Rescue Story - Sally Gaunt and her hero cat, Sandy (VIC) adopted from RSPCA Burwood (VIC)