In a year that has pushed limits and tested emotions across the pet rescueindustry, the Jetpets Companion Animal Rescue Awards is thrilled to announcethe Winners for 2020. The Rescue Awards is a national program that celebratesand recognises achievements in the rescue, rehabilitation and rehoming ofcompanion animals Australia-wide.
“In our third year, the Rescue Awards has been very competitive with more than1,000 entries across 10 categories, which made it very challenging for thejudges! Our amazing winners demonstrated excellence and innovation in theirapproach to improving the lives of companion animals during these difficulttimes,” said Cathy Beer, Rescue Awards Founder and pet adoption advocate fromPets4Life, an independent education resource for cat and dog guardians.
**** Following the announcement of the Finalists in September, one winner fromeach category was selected by an expert panel of 20 Judges. The winners wererevealed yesterday (Oct 15) at a virtual Rescue Awards Ceremony run by GoldRescue Partner, Refuel Creative in Adelaide. The Ceremony was broadcasted liveat 4pm AEDT across the country via the Rescue Awards Facebook page.
This year, Jetpets is again the Platinum Rescue Hero and naming Partner.
Jetpets General Manager Sandy Matheson said, “In a year of challenges andhardship for so many people, we are very humbled to be able to share incelebrating the achievements of rescue organisations, volunteers and adopterswho have made significant sacrifices and devoted their efforts into caring forthe welfare of companion animals in such difficult times. On behalf of theentire Jetpets team, we thank and congratulate this year’s winners of theCompanion Animal Rescue Awards.”
The Advocate® People’s Rescue Story award category (sponsored by Advocate®)and the Drontal® Foster Carer Story award category (sponsored by Drontal®)received hundreds of entries from Aussie pet guardians who shared theirstories about pet adoption and fostering.
Mel Hutchinson, Marketing Associate from Elanco (formerly Bayer Animal Health)said it was incredibly difficult to narrow the choice down to just a smallgroup of finalists, let alone choose an overall winner for each of thecategories!
Mel said, “We’re proud to support the Rescue Awards for a third year running.The number of entries increases every year as does Aussies’ passion for petadoption. This year we chose Wolf the Maremma as our pet adoption story winnerand Sass the kitten as our foster carer story winner. Also, we were so movedby the story of Mumma Zura, a rescue dog who looks after puppies for the RSPCANSW, that we created the Drontal® Special Foster Carer Award.”
Cathy thanked Supporters for making the Rescue Awards possible by donatingexciting Prizes and acknowledged the great efforts of rescue groups, animalshelters and thousands of volunteers across the country.
This year’s Rescue Awards Ambassador Lara Shannon, Certified Dog Trainer,Animal Welfare Advocate and Host of Channel 10’s Pooches at Play , alsocongratulated the winners and thanked rescue organisations and theirvolunteers for helping surrendered and abandoned pets get a second chance in aloving home.
2020 WINNERS
Category 1: Outstanding Rescue Group – Greyhound Rescue NSW
Category 2: Outstanding New Rescue Group – Liberty Foundation Australia (NSW)
Category 3: Outstanding Animal Shelter – Cat Haven WA
Category 4: Outstanding Council Animal Shelter – Shoalhaven Animal Shelter(NSW)
Category 5: Innovation in Rescue – Central Coast Animal Care Facility’sFreedom Busters (NSW)
Category 6: Community Education and Outreach Program – Banyule’s Free CatDesexing Program (VIC)
Category 7: Volunteer of the Year – Shelley Tinworth (Greyhound Rescue NSW)
Category 8: Refuel Digital Technology Award (new) – The Rabbit Sanctuary (NSW)
Category 9: Advocate® People’s Rescue Story – Kate O’Donnell and her dog Wolf(NSW) adopted from Dog Rescue Newcastle
Category 10: Drontal® Foster Carer Story (new) – Rachel Arthur and her fostercat Sass (NSW); foster carer for Sydney Dogs and Cats Home
Plus a Special Drontal® Foster Carer Award: Mumma Zura, an American Staffywho has fostered over 200 puppies (NSW)
Image: Rescue Awards Founder Cathy Beer and Daisy the rescue dog at RefuelCreative HQ – Jo Lyons Photography
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