Finalists 2022
Category 1 – Outstanding Rescue Group
Lamb Care Australia (VIC) – Lamb Care Australia commenced operations in 2018. It is a rescue organisation that currently rehabilitates and rehomes orphaned, abandoned, sick, and injured lambs who are born during the lambing season in Victoria. Millions of lambs die on Australian farms every year within 48 hours after birth. Abandoned or orphaned lambs born during the lambing season in Victoria reach the care of Lamb Care Australia via farmers, vets, councils, and members of the public.
Small Paws Animal Rescue QLD – Since January 26, 2017, SPARQ has rescued and rehomed hundreds of animals, primarily dogs, and cats, but horses and other animals have also found their forever homes through the organisation. Working with various pounds and other rescues, animals from all over Queensland, and New South Wales, have been transported and placed in foster homes throughout South East Queensland, waiting for their forever home.
The Rabbit Sanctuary NSW – The Rabbit Sanctuary is a non-profit organisation that rescues stray, abandoned, lost, injured, and unwanted rabbits. It takes in rescue rabbits from all kinds of sources – other rescue organisations, shelters, council pounds, vets who have rabbits dumped at their clinic, individuals who surrender their own rabbits, individuals who find abandoned rabbits, and so on. The rabbit will be cared for by the Rabbit Sanctuary, or by a foster carer. Foster Carers are chosen carefully to make sure the rabbit is in good hands.
Category 2 – Outstanding New Rescue Group
Big Dollan’s Fur Rescue (VIC) – Big Dollan’s Fur-Rescue’s mission is to ensure every animal is loved, nurtured, and provided a safe and caring space to heal so they can continue on with their journey. First and foremost, BD Fur-Rescue is committed to providing a safe, nurturing, and healing environment, working with a holistic approach, to rehabilitate the animals in our care back to optimum health.
Lake Road Veterinary Rescue (NSW) – Lake Road Vet Rescue provides specialised 24-hour treatment and care when needed for our rescue pets. We also assist with non-judgemental surrenders when our pet parents need it the most.
Strong Hearts Cat Rescue (VIC)– Strong Hearts Cat Rescue is based in Victoria, Australia. They rescue kill-listed cats and kittens from local and rural pounds and then desex, microchip, and vaccinate them before adopting them out to loving, forever homes. Strong Hearts Cat Rescue is an indoor cat rescue organisation. They also seek to educate the community on responsible companion animal guardianship and holistic cat health care management.
Category 3 – Outstanding Animal Shelter
Greyhound Rescue (NSW) – Greyhound Rescue (GR) was established by Peter and Janet Flann in 2009 to find homes for greyhounds considered surplus to racing industry requirements. GR is a registered charity with kennel facilities housing over 30 dogs and a network of foster carers. GR is anti-racing and has a no-kill policy, except terminal illness. GR is able to rescue and rehome greyhounds thanks to its dedicated team of volunteers and the generosity of its supporters. One of their roles is to educate people about the gentle and relaxed nature of greyhounds who are wonderful pets deserving a loving home.GR has re-homed over 1000 greyhounds.
Just Cats (TAS) – Just Cats Tasmania Inc. (Just Cats) was founded in 2012 by Rachel Beech. Just Cats Tasmania was incorporated in July 2013 and a board was appointed to provide governance and support to Rachel. Since those early beginnings in 2012, Just Cats has taken in and rehomed some 8000 cats and kittens. The organization’s growth has been significant to the point that it now employs 7 staff and has a Board of 6 professional businesspeople, 49 Volunteers, and 36 Foster Carers.
SAFE Animal Rehoming (NSW) – SAFE was launched in September 2017 by staff who previously worked for the Animal Welfare League which closed its Sydney Ingleside shelter in 2017. For the first two years, they cared for all of our rescued animals through foster carers but in August 2019 they established a Rehoming Centre (SAFE Haven) for cats in Roseville, Sydney. Here, cats are available for viewing and adoption, and they also offer premium boarding facilities. SAFE continues to care for dogs in foster homes until adoption. Their aim is to rehabilitate and rehome every pet that comes into our care and this is their first priority in every case, regardless of the animal’s history.
Category 4 – Australian Pet Welfare Foundation Award for Councils
City of Cockburn (WA) – The City of Cockburn is home to some of Western Australia’s best wetlands, major tourism attractions, growing communities, and leisure and recreational activities. Responsible dog and cat ownership have received a community-endorsed boost following Cockburn Council’s adoption of an Animal Management and Exercise Plan (AMEP) 2020-2025.
Goulburn Mulwaree Animal Shelter (NSW) – Goulburn Mulwaree Council has always operated its own pound servicing the local government area. The culmination of the strategic plan implementation was the grand opening of the Goulburn Mulwaree Animal Shelter which was held on Saturday 29 June 2019. Adoptions rates at the shelter continue to be an overwhelming success.
City of Palmerston (NT) – The City of Palmerston is located at the top end of the Northern Territory. Situated about 20km south-east of Darwin. In December 2021, the $10 Desexing scheme was introduced to increase the desexing rate. As expected, the program was of high community attention and received positive community uptake.
Category 5 – Innovation in Companion Animal Welfare and Management
Greyhound Rescue (NSW) – GR is a registered charity with kennel facilities housing over 30 hounds and a network of Foster Carers. GR rehomed 255 and placed 40 greyhounds in foster in 2021. In the last 3 years, GR has experienced high adoption and foster demand with people working from home. We work with Adopters in managing their return to work. Key outcomes have included the improvement of the volunteer experience in their roles by creating better tools and support.
The Rabbit Sanctuary (NSW) – The Rabbit Sanctuary’s mission is to rescue, rehabilitate and rehome rabbits that have been abandoned, neglected, and mistreated. Their vision is to raise the cultural value of rabbits in our community and for humans and animals to live together in harmony. The Rabbit Sanctuary has started a program with the aim to improve the way they manage their Foster Carer Network that focused on multiple areas including a ‘Foster Carer Portal’.
Category 6 – Working with the Community to Keep People and Their Pets Together
Mildura Loves Pets (RSPCA Victoria) – SPCA Victoria is a non-government, community-based charity that works to prevent cruelty to animals by actively promoting their care and protection. Mildura Loves Pets is a targeted community prevention program aimed to reduce cruelty and neglect and improve animal welfare in the Mildura/Sunraysia community.
Second Chance Animal Rescue Outreach Program (VIC) – The SCAR Outreach Program (SOP) is an initiative established to support the disadvantaged in their community who love their pets but are facing financial hardship. This program is an innovative way to target the at-risk animals in our community, desexing them to avoid unwanted litters and microchipping to avoid pound intakes. Since implementing SOP we have collaborated with approximately 30 human service organisations through our PFP & veterinary outreach services, assisting more than 3190 families in keeping their pets in their homes via free, heavily subsidised, or low-cost veterinary care, pet food packages, & ongoing support from our veterinary & shelter teams.
The Rainbow Paws Program (ACT) – The Rainbow Paws Program was established in 2014 to support the pets of vulnerable Canberran’s doing it tough such as the homeless, those escaping domestic violence, the isolated elderly, and those on low incomes due to physical or mental disability. The Rainbow Paws Program has five programs it delivers to meet the needs of pets and their owners in Canberra, which are – The Hotel Bookings Program (emergency boarding), Code Rainbow (emergency vet care), Snip Snip (subsidised desexing), Street Support (delivery of pet food/supplies to vulnerable members of the community), and the Rolling Tuckerbox (delivery of donated pet food to community pantries and centres).
Category 7 – Volunteer of the Year
Kate Button (Greyhound Rescue) – Kate is the Foster Co-Ordinator Team Leader and leads a team of four Foster Co-Ordinators. Kate’s enthusiasm for the role makes her a valuable member of the Adoption and Foster Carer team.
Kyla Grimmond (Rachie’s Ratirement Home) – Kyla’s role is Foster Care Coordinator, a position she has held for nearly 12 of the 18 months she has been volunteering with RRH. Kyla is responsible for the coordination of any animal residents requiring a period of foster care for medical, trust training, maternity, or permanent placement.
Maxine Cooper (Greyhound Rescue) – Maxine is a volunteer at Greyhound Rescue NSW. Her roles are many and varied because of her dedication to the greyhounds, her patience and loving care, her hobbies and her love of driving.
Tara Doherty (Rachie’s Ratirement Home) – Tara attends the rescue every monday as an animal attendant. Monday’s routine involves ensuring all the rats onsite are fed and watered, doing a basic health check on each, and spot-cleaning each of our 24 large cages, replacing any litter trays and nests that are too soiled.
Amy Gasnier (Northern Rivers Animal Services) – Amy Gasnier is the group’s primary canine foster carer and is relied upon to look after pregnant mums, litters and, when necessary, larger dogs with special needs. Amy also sits on the NRAS Committee in the capacity of Vice President.
Category 8 – Refuel Creative Digital Marketing
Rachie’s Ratirement Home (QLD) – Rachie’s Ratirement Home is the only specialised rat and mouse rescue in Queensland. Founded in November 2017 as an altruistic side hobby, it has evolved into a registered not-for-profit incorporated association, run by and for the rodent-owning community. They operate out of the main rescue site at Sunnybank Hills, where our volunteer team cares for a fluctuating number of domestic rats and mice. While they take direct rescue action, they have a strong focus on education as the most sustainable and far-reaching way to support animals and owners. They are recognised as the experts on pet rat and mouse behaviour and welfare not only by the pet-owning community nationally, but also the breeders and show communities that we work with to educate on genetics and ethics as keys to long-term welfare.-
Category 9 – Ivory Coat People’s Rescue Story
Read the amazing stories from our 10 Finalists.
Category 10 – Ivory Coat Foster Carer Story
Read the amazing stories from our five Finalists PLUS a Special Foster Carer Award goes to Roxy and Others and Suzanne (NSW)