The winners of the Pet Insurance Australia Companion Animal Rescue Awards have been revealed with The Rabbit Sanctuary in NSW being named the Outstanding Rescue Group for 2022.
The Rescue Awards is a national program founded by Cathy Beer, which celebrates achievements in rescue, sheltering, rehabilitation, and the rehoming of companion animals Australia-wide.
There are a total of 11 awards presented each year, which give kudos to pet shelters, rescue groups and volunteers for continuing to fight the good fight in the protection of companion animals.
This year, Kyla Grimmond from Rachie’s Ratirement Home in Queensland was named the Volunteer of the Year.
Beer said: “Our amazing winners demonstrated excellence and innovation in their approach to improving the lives of companion animals during these difficult times.”
The winners were revealed on 26 October at a virtual Rescue Awards Ceremony produced and broadcasted nationally by Gold Rescue Partner Refuel Creative and supported by Real Pet Food Company’s brand, Ivory Coat.
The Ivory Coat People’s Rescue Story and Ivory Coat Foster Carer Story award categories received hundreds of entries from Aussie pet guardians who shared their incredible, heart-warming stories of pet adoption and fostering. This year the entries included rescue rabbits, rats, a horse as well as many cats and dogs who have found their forever homes.
Beer said: “Post Covid surrender of ‘pandemic pets’ and spiralling cost of living have left animal shelters overflowing and rescue groups inundated with calls for help. Thanks to the incredible efforts of rescue organisations and their volunteers many animal lives have been saved, and their tireless effort deserves recognition.”
Pet Insurance Australia returned in 2022 as the Platinum Rescue Hero and Naming Partner for the event, and CEO Ali Osmani, said that is humbling and an honour to celebrate the achievements of the wonderful organisations and thousands of volunteers who work tirelessly to rescue, rehabilitate, and rehome companion animals around the country.
“On behalf of the entire Pet Insurance Australia team, we congratulate the 2022 winners of the Companion Animal Rescue Awards.”
2022 Winners:
Outstanding Rescue Group: The Rabbit Sanctuary (NSW)
Outstanding New Rescue Group: Strong Hearts Rescue (VIC)
Outstanding Animal Shelter: Just Cats Tasmania (TAS)
Australian Pet Welfare Foundation Award for Councils: Goulburn Mulwaree Animal Shelter (NSW)
Innovation in Companion Animal Welfare and Management: The Foster Carer Network 2.0 (The Rabbit Sanctuary, NSW)
Working with the Community to Keep People and their Pets Together: Second Chance Animal Rescue (SCAR)’s Community Outreach Program (VIC)
Volunteer of the Year: Kyla Grimmond from Rachie’s Ratirement Home (QLD)
Refuel Creative Digital Marketing: Rachie’s Ratirement Home (QLD)
Ivory Coat People’s Rescue Story: ‘Shirley, Bunny, Fargo and Lola and Kerry’ (Kerrie Haynes-Lovell, NSW)
Ivory Coat Foster Carer Story: ‘Choo Choo and Sharlene’ (Sharlene Simon, VIC)
Special Foster Carer Award: ‘Roxy and others and Suzanne’ (Suzanne Theuns, NSW)
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