Burgess Pet Care

Hope Rescue Dog Centre from Caerphilly were awarded Best Dog Rescue

Lumpy Lodge were awarded Best Rabbit Rescue Centre at the 2012 Burgess Wetnose Animal Awards 2012

Celebrity animal lovers attended the annual Burgess Wetnose Animal Rescue Awards in Knightsbridge on 9th March 2012, to award, applaud and acknowledge animal rescue centres across the UK.

Hosted by Wendy Turner-Webster for the third year, the awards were held at the Jumeriah Carlton Tower Hotel, Knightsbridge with Dame Judi Dench, Anthea Turner, Sam Fox and Michelle Collins among those who attended.

Founded by not-for-profit organisation Wetnose Animal Aid, the annual Burgess Wetnose Animal Rescue Awards, recognise the valuable and endless work of small, independent rescue centres do in caring for and rehoming abandoned and unwanted animals in the UK and overseas.

Boris, a police horse, was recognised for his outstanding dedication in serving the City of London during the London riots in August 2011 and received the Hero Award. A spokesperson for the police force commented: “Boris is truly an outstanding Police Horse and a real hero, whether leading Her Majesty the Queen’s state processions, meeting and greeting children from deprived backgrounds, patrolling the streets providing reassurance to London’s population or dealing with outbreaks of serious public disorder like the devastating riots of 2011, Boris can be relied upon day in day out to act above and beyond his duty.”

The awards also honour the ‘Best Rescue Centre’ for categories such as small animals (rabbits, guinea pigs and chinchillas), cats, dogs, horses and wildlife. Headline sponsor Burgess Pet Care, one of the UK’s leading producers of pet food, also gave out awards for the Best Rescue Story and the Best Rescue Pet.

The Celia Cross Greyhound Rescue won Best Greyhound Rescue Centre. Jane Thompson accepts the awards from Annette Crosbie CBE

Andrea Gamby-Boulger, director of Wetnose Animal Aid, said: “In a time of recession, rescue centres are under even more pressure due to an influx of animals and a huge drop in donations. The work these small, independent rescue centres do is vital for many animals, but we must remember these animals are the lucky ones, many thousands are not.

“The Burgess Wetnose Animal Rescue Awards aim to highlight the work of these passionate individuals, who selflessly devote their time to helping animals in need. Recognition of this hard work can mean the difference between them carrying on or giving up.”

John Altman with the team from Hope Dog Rescue in Caerphilly - winners of Best Dog Rescue Centre

Naomi Chatterley, marketing manager at Burgess Pet Care, headline sponsors of the awards, said: “We are delighted to support the annual Burgess Wetnose Animal Rescue Awards once again this year, the awards recognise the valuable and endless work of small independent rescue centres whose work often goes unnoticed so it is fantastic to reward them for their dedication. Burgess is committed to helping and supporting rescue centres through our ‘Forever Promise’. Consisting of a number of initiatives, this promise includes our rescue loyalty scheme which aims to help rescues with food so that they can spend money on other essentials in helping pets find their forever homes.”

Winners at the event included:

- Best dog rescue centre – Hope Rescue Dog Centre from Caerphilly

- Best cat rescue centre – Caring for Cats from Yorkshire

- Best greyhound rescue centre – Celia Cross Greyhound Rescue in Surrey

Best Rabbit Rescue Centre – Lumpy Lodge

- Best horse & donkey rescue centre – Equine Marketwatch Sanctuaries UK from Herefordshire

- Best rescue pet – Basil the french lop rabbit – case study below

- Best rescue story – Robbie the Staffordshire bull terrier– case study below.

- Hero Award- Boris the Police Horse, shown below with Ingrid Tarrant

THE BURGESS WETNOSE ANIMAL RESCUE AWARDS 2012 ARE CALLING FOR NOMINATIONS

The Burgess Wetnose Animal Rescue Awards 2012 are calling on independent rescue centres, in the UK, to step forward and nominate themselves for some much deserved recognition and the chance to win a cash donation for their rescue centre.

The star-studded annual Burgess Wetnose Animal Rescue Awards seek to recognise and raise awareness of the tireless work small rescue centres do in caring for and rehoming abandoned and unwanted animals. The awards are urging independent rescue centres, to nominate themselves to be recognised for their dedication and continued hard work.

If you feel your rescue centre deserves rewarding for its dedication to helping the nation’s abandoned animals you can nominate yourself by visiting www.wetnoseanimalaid.com.

Awards include ’Best Rescue Centre’ for categories such as dogs, cats, small animals (rodents), fibrevores (rabbits, guinea pigs and chinchillas), horses and donkeys and wildlife.  There is also a breed specific category for ‘Best Greyhound Rescue’ as this breed of dog is commonly found in rescues as a result of the racing industry. Each winner receives a trophy and a cash donation towards the on-going cost of running their rescue centre.

The winning rescue centres, judged by a panel that includes representatives from Wetnose Animal Aid, Burgess Pet Care, The London Dog Forum and celebrity supporters Peter Egan and Marc the Vet, will be invited to a star-studded award ceremony in London in March 2012. Last year’s celebrity attendees included supporters Brian May, Martin Clunes, Virginia McKenna, Anthea Turner, Jenny Seagrove, John Altman, Graham Cole, Lorriane Chase and many more.

Andrea Gamby-Boulger, director of Wetnose Animal Aid, says: “In a time of recession in particular, rescue centres are under even more pressure due to an influx of animals and pets that people no longer want, and small independent rescue centres’ vital work often goes unnoticed to that of the better known centres. Many smaller centres lack fundraising abilities, compared to larger centres, and this often results in dedicated individuals going without weekends or holidays to cover the amount of help needed. Many of these centres have had a drop of 45% in donations over the last two years, which means more support is needed for their work to continue.

“The Burgess Wetnose Animal Rescue Awards aim to highlight the work of these passionate individuals, who selflessly devote their time to helping animals in need. Recognition of this hard work can mean the difference between them carrying on and giving up, so it is important to say thank you even just by nominating!”

Naomi Chatterley, marketing manager at Burgess Pet Care, headline sponsors of the awards, said: “We are delighted to sponsor and show our support for the Burgess Wetnose Animal Rescue Awards once again this year. The awards reflect our ethos at Burgess Pet Care perfectly, a dedication to helping and caring for the UK’s pets. We are committed to supporting these smaller, independent rescue centres and have a number of schemes in place specially to help them including food donations, our rescue loyalty scheme and a dedicated website to rehome unwanted pets.”

For further information about Burgess Pet Care’s rescue food and loyalty scheme call 0800 413 969.

To nominate your centre for an award, visit www.wetnoseanimalaid.com and fill in the simple online form, or download it and submit it by post before the closing date of 30/09/2011.

A-List Celebrities And Their Pets Applaud The UK’s Top Animal Rescue Centres

A whole host of celebrities and their famous furries descended on Westminster to join and honour their less fortunate furry friends at the star-studded Wetnose Burgess Rescue Awards 2011.

Celebrities including Queen’s Brian May, actor Martin Clunes and TV presenter Anthea Turner, played second fiddle to those at the event who have gone over and above the call of duty to rescue less fortunate animals, and of course a host of saved animals and pets including dogs, donkeys and rabbits.

Founded by not-for-profit organisation Wetnose Animal Aid, the annual star-studded Wetnose Burgess Rescue Awards recognises the valuable and tireless work of small, independent rescue centres that help abandoned animals in the UK and overseas. The event also seeks to raise awareness of the fantastic job centres do in rescuing, caring for and re-homing thousands of unwanted and abandoned animals, whilst honouring the hardworking individuals who devote their time to helping thousands of animals in need.

Winners at the event included:

-       Best dog rescue centre – Lizzie’s  Barn Animal Sanctuary in Wales

-       Best cat rescue centre – Chestnut Cat Rescue in Essex

-       Best small animal (rodent) centre – Herts Hogline in Hertfordshire.

-       Best ‘fibrevore’ rescue centre (rabbit/guinea/chinchilla) – Fat Fluffs Rabbit Rescue in Solihull.

-       Best greyhound rescue centre – Celia Cross Greyhound Rescue in Surrey

-       Best horse rescue centre – Remus Horse Memorial Sanctuary in Surrey

-       Best rescue story – Penny (dog) – case study below

-       Best rescue pet – Blue the Border Collie – case study below

Lizzie's Barn Animal Sanctuary were awared Best Dog Rescue

There were also additional special recognition awards for the following organisations:

-       Joint winners of the Police dog of the year – Jasper and Cain from the Cumbrian Police Force

-       National Dog Team  – UK Border Control Dogs

-       Boon Lott Elephants in Thailand  - Elephant Rescue Centre

-       Ace Animal Care in Egypt Presented by Martin Clunes

-       Lifetime achievement award for Virginia McKenna,  Founder – Born Free Foundation in Africa, presented by Brian May (Queen)

Brian May presents Virginia McKenna with the Lifetime Achievement Award

Andrea Gamby-Boulger, director of Wetnose Animal Aid, says: “Sadly every year thousands of animals are left abandoned, putting their lives in danger.

“The Wetnose Burgess Rescue Awards are truly unique and give a platform to recognise and celebrate the wonderful work and achievements of independent rescue centres. Many of these organisations are often overshadowed by the larger, well-known centres that receive more donations and legacies from the general public – but their work is no less vital.

Our national awards are a great way to showcase the big difference the UK’s rescue centres make to the lives and wellbeing of animals.”

Celebrity supporter of the awards and an avid animal campaigner, Brian May, adds: “The awards are an important part of the growing movement to give animals the respect we need to learn to give them.  It is a moral necessity to change our attitudes to the other creatures on this planet, just as it was a moral necessity to abolish slavery and the very future of the human race depends on making this change in our behaviour. I am honoured to be a part of the Wetnose Burgess Awards ceremony.”

Headline sponsor Burgess Pet Care, one of the UK’s leading producers of high quality pet foods, is giving out awards for the best rescue centre story, best rescue pet and the coveted award for best overall UK small independent rescue centre.

Naomi Chatterley, marketing manager at Burgess Pet Care and sponsor of the awards, comments: “We are delighted to support and be involved in the Wetnose Burgess Rescue Awards and fully support their aims and ethos. We are a company of pet lovers and owners who are committed to helping and supporting rescue centres and their valuable work, through our ‘Forever Promise’. Consisting of a number of initiatives, this promise includes our rescue loyalty scheme, which aims to help rescues with food so that they can spend money on other essential areas in helping pets find their forever homes.”

For further information on the Wetnose Burgess Rescue Awards 2011 visit www.wetnoseanimalaid.com or for further details on Burgess Pet Care, its ranges and the work it does with rescue centres across the country visit www.burgesspetcare.co.uk

CASE STUDIES

PENNY – WINNER OF BEST RESCUE STORY

Penny’s story touches the heart of everybody that meets her; she fell pregnant and was tied underneath a caravan and deserted. Managing to free herself, Penny then tried to find somewhere safe to have her puppies however got caught and unfortunately lost her leg. Despite this horrific experience and treatment by humans, her owner Ellen describes Penny as extremely trusting, loving and affectionate. She says she has a therapeutic effect on her and her life and taking her into their family is the best thing she has ever done.

Penny with Martin Clunes and her trophy

Upon meeting Penny her happiness is clear, and it seems her unfortunate life experience is long behind her thanks to the help of rescue centres and loving owners like Jonathan and Ellen. Undeniably, Penny thoroughly deserved the award of best rescue story at The Wetnose Burgess Rescue Awards.

BLUE – WINNER OF BEST RESCUE PET

When Karen was asked to assist in rescuing a Border Collie that had been neglected by its owners, he had no idea that it would result in him gaining a new pet.

Blue had been kept in an overgrown shed for the past eight years and it had become so overgrown that it was practically inaccessible. After bathing Blue, she took him to a veterinary dental surgery. After a series of blood tests, Blue was surprisingly deemed as healthy despite his eight year stint locked in the garden shed. Although his teeth needed work, as he had staples stuck in his gums from trying to gnaw himself out of the shed. After having 14 teeth out and several splinters removed from his front legs, Blue’s recovery was swift despite his obvious pain.

Blue, with his award, Anthea Turner and Brian May

However, 13 months later Blue collapsed due to a suspected Splenetic tumour that the vets indicated could potentially be cancerous. At his age this was not a good prognosis, but Karen gave the go ahead for the operation and said goodbye in anticipation for the worst. Blue actually had a cyst and, after having a huge 60% of his liver removed, he quickly recovered to the amazement of everyone around him.

Blue was the winner of the best rescue pet award at The 2011 Wetnose Burgess Rescue Awards.

We would like to thank all those who entered, and for their tireless work at rescue centres throughout the UK.

Thanks to all who made the day a great success!