Caerphilly-based Hope Rescue was barking with joy as it picked up a national accolade as Charity Team of the Year at Ceva’s 2014 Animal Welfare Awards, announced at a glitzy presentation evening in Birmingham last week.
The coveted Ceva Animal Welfare Awards, now in their third year, recognise volunteers, charity workers and veterinary professionals who have gone the extra mile in improving animal welfare around the world. After receiving hundreds of entries, category winners were decided by a panel of highly respected industry professionals, including Christopher Laurence MBE BVSc and Claire Bessant of International Cat Care.
Winners were presented with their award by Christopher Laurence and a representative from each of the category sponsors, which this year included Veterinary Times, VN Times, Blue Cross, People’s Dispensary for Sick Animals (PDSA), Your Cat and Your Dog magazines, International Cat Care and the National Animal Disease Information Service (NADIS).
Upon receiving their award, Vanessa Waddon of Hope Rescue said: “We are so proud to have been recognised for all the hard work that our volunteers and one paid member of staff do.
“We are a very small charity, and it is amazing to have been picked as winners over hundreds of other larger charities, all deserving of awards for the fantastic work they do in animal welfare.
“Even though we are a small charity, we do try to make a big impact and it is wonderful that Ceva recognise the important work that smaller charities, like Hope Rescue, do.”
Ceva Managing Director, Alan Doyle commented: “The judging panel were overwhelmed by the quality of the entries we received this year. It is truly wonderful to read so many stories about honourable people dedicating their time to improve the welfare of animals both in the UK and internationally.
“The judges had a tough time whittling down the short list as there were so many well-deserved entries; however we are pleased with the final result.”