SYDNEY, AUSTRALIA: 15 October 2020: The Jetpets Companion Animal Rescue Awards is thrilled to announce the WINNERS for 2020. 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 third year, it was very competitive with more than 1,000 entries across 10 categories, which made it very challenging for the judges! Our amazing winners demonstrated excellence and innovation in their approach to improving the lives of companion animals during these difficult times,” said Cathy Beer, Rescue Awards Founder and pet adoption advocate from Pets4Life, an independent education resource for cat and dog guardians.
Shelley Tinworth, Volunteer of the Year 2020 Winner
Following the announcement of the Finalists in September, one winner from each category was selected by an expert panel of 20 Judges. The winners were revealed on 15 October 2020 at a virtual Rescue Awards Ceremony run by Gold Rescue Partner, Refuel Creative in Adelaide. The Ceremony was broadcasted live at 4 pm 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 and hardship for so many people, we are very humbled to be able to share in celebrating the achievements of rescue organisations, volunteers, and adopters who have made significant sacrifices and devoted their efforts into caring for the welfare of companion animals in such difficult times. On behalf of the entire Jetpets team, we thank and congratulate this year’s winners of the Companion 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 their stories about pet adoption and fostering. Mel Hutchinson, Marketing Associate from Elanco (formerly Bayer Animal Health) said it was incredibly difficult narrowing our choice down to just a small group of finalists, let alone choose an overall winner for each of these categories!
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 pet adoption. This year we chose Wolf, the Maremma as our pet adoption story winner, and Sass, a kitten as our foster carer story winner. And, we were so moved by the story of ‘Mumma Zura’, a rescue dog who looks after puppies for the RSPCA NSW, a special award was created, the Drontal® Special Foster Carer Award.’
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.
This year’s Rescue Awards Ambassador Lara Shannon, Certified Dog Trainer, Animal Welfare Advocate and Host of Channel 10’s Pooches at Play, 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.
WATCH THE RESCUE AWARDS CEREMONY VIRTUAL EVENT
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 (NSW)
Category 6: Community Education and Outreach Program – Banyule’s Free Cat Desexing 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 cat Sass (NSW); foster carer for Sydney Dogs and Cats Home
Plus a Special Foster Carer Award: Mumma Zura, an American Staffy who has fostered over 200 puppies.
For updates on the Rescue Awards program, please visit www.rescueawards.com.au, sign up for the e-newsletter, or follow the Rescue Awards on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram. #jetpetsrescueawards2019
About Pets4Life: Pets4Life is an independent education resource for cat and dog guardians and those who are thinking of getting a cat or dog. Our goal is to help reduce cat and dog surrender and improve pet well-being in Australia. After over 20 years in the corporate world as a professional marketer, Cathy Beer pursued her passion for pet welfare and created Pets4Life in 2013 after interviewing leaders in the companion animal welfare space. Cathy is completing the Delta Institute of Australia course to attain a Cert IV Companion Animal Services and an accredited Delta dog trainer. Cathy is a voluntary member of Willoughby Council’s Companion Animals Committee and a volunteer instructor at the Sydney All Breeds Dog Club. Visit pets4life.com.au
About Jetpets Jetpets are Australia’s leading pet travel experts. Their in-house team of pet travel consultants, pet handlers, and resident vets have been caring for people’s beloved pets for over 28 years. Setting the highest standards of care for pets travelling interstate and overseas, the Jetpets team loves nothing more than reuniting and bringing families together. Jetpets provide a complete pet travel service, taking care of everything involved in transporting a pet from their home to their final destination. For helpful information on pet travel visit www.jetpets.com.au
