Animal rescue centres nationwide are being called upon to nominate themselves for the Wetnose Burgess Rescue Awards 2011.

Founded by not-for-profit organisation Wetnose Animal Aid, the annual Wetnose Awards, now in their second year, recognise the valuable and tireless work of small, independent rescue centres that help animals in the UK and overseas.

The awards seek to raise awareness of the fantastic job centres do in rescuing, caring for and rehoming abandoned animals, whilst highlighting the passionate, often emotional, hardworking individuals ‘behind the scenes’ who selflessly devote their time and even their life’s work to helping animals in need.

Headline sponsor Burgess Pet Care, one of the UK’s leading producers of high quality pet foods, is encouraging rescue centres across the country to give themselves a well-deserved pat on the back by nominating themselves for the Wetnose Burgess Rescue Awards 2011.

The winning rescue centres, judged by a panel will be invited to a glittering afternoon awards ceremony in London in March 2011. The winner’s of each category will also have the opportunity to compete for a £500 cash prize for their centre and be awarded the ultimate title of ‘Wetnose Burgess Best UK Rescue Centre 2011’.

The inaugural Wetnose Awards in March 2010 was a star-studded affair, attracting widespread media attention and an array of animal-loving celebrities, including TV presenter Nick Knowles, Emmerdale’s Lorraine Chase and MP Ann Widdicome. Right picture is Sylvia Harris with actor John Altman (Nasty Nick from Eastenders) and the gorgeous Wendy Turner Webster who is our awards presenter.

The 2011 Wetnose Burgess Rescue Awards are set to be bigger than ever and the UK categories are open to nominations from all independent rescues centres in the UK.

Categories include:Best Dog RescueBest Cat RescueBest Small Animal Rescue (rodent)Best Fibrevore Rescue (rabbit, guinea pig, chinchilla)Best Greyhound RescueBest Horse/Donkey RescueBest Rescue Story

Special Awards will also be given to recognise the UK’s best rescue pet, conservation rescue and rescue work abroad.

  • Best UK rescue (to be judged overall winner out of the winners of each category listed above)
  • The Conservation award this year goes to Born Free for the “Life Time Conservation” award presented to Virginia McKenna
  • The “Welfare Success Award” goes to Ace Animal Sanctuary in Egypt run by Julia Wartenburg
  • The Hero Award goes to the Police Dog ……………more details to follow. Presented by Michael Winner.
  • The Best Working Dog goes to Airport sniffer dog………….more details to follow. Presented by Stuart Winter from the Sunday Express.

The aim is to celebrate and congratulate these hard working people who help save and care for many rescued and working animals. For Competition Nomination Forms and more details please visit Wetnose Animal Aid website www.wetnoseanimalaid.com and also see our chief sponsors website Burgess Pet Care for more details on the foods and pet care products available on www.burgesspetcare.co.uk/rescue .