Nominations are now open for Ceva’s 2016 Animal Welfare Awards, which will once again celebrate the achievements of remarkable people from the farming, veterinary and charity industries.
Nominated by their peers and the general public, the farming category welcomes people from all areas of the farming industry, all ages and from anywhere in the world.
The Farm Animal Welfare Award – now in its second year – is a hotly contested category, attracting many entries from the entire industry. Last year’s winner was Dr Becky Whay from the School of Veterinary Sciences at the University of Bristol. Dr Whay impressed the judges with her pioneering work on dairy cattle lameness and her contribution to farm animal welfare strategies.
She commented at the 2015 awards on her win: “It is such a thrill to be recognised for the work I have done, but it is much, much more than this. People working in farm animal welfare are trying to give animals the best possible life they can, not just to fulfil their obligations to them but to ensure the relationship is ethical.”
Since the first Ceva Awards in 2010 hundreds of people have been nominated, with the winners, whittled down by a panel of esteemed judges including Christopher Laurence MBE BVSc and Anthony Andrews BVetMed PhD. This year’s winners and runners up will be honoured at a glittering ceremony taking place at BSAVA on 6th April 2016.
If there is a farming industry professional that you feel has made a significant contribution to animal welfare, visit www.cevawelfareawards.com to nominate. Entries must be in by 11th January 2016.
“We really have been awed and humbled by the nominations for Ceva’s Animal Welfare Awards over the past four years and we expect this year to be no exception”, says Ceva managing director Alan Doyle.
Mr Doyle adds: “The lengths to which some wonderful people go to ensure the health and happiness of animals across the world really knows no bounds. Not only do the awards champion people involved in animal welfare, but they also raise awareness of this important work to wider audiences.”
The categories aim to cover all industries involved in animal welfare. For 2016, these are:
• Chris Laurence Vet of the Year Award - in association with the Veterinary Times
Recognises a veterinary surgeon working in practice who educates pet owners and consistently demonstrates a commitment to the continued improvement of animal welfare standards.
• The VN Times Welfare Nurse of the Year Award
Honours a working veterinary nurse who has shown a real commitment to improving and championing excellent animal welfare within their practice.
• Charity Professional of the Year Award (UK & International) – in association with PDSA
Someone who works within a charity organisation and consistently performs to the best of their ability, with the single minded goal of helping save and improve the lives of animals in need.
• Charity Team of the Year Award (UK & International) - in association with Your Cat and Your Dog magazine
Recognises an awe-inspiring team whose drive and passionate dedication has changed the lives of animals for the better, by tirelessly promoting and championing their cause.
• Volunteer of the Year Welfare Award (UK & International) – in association with Blue Cross
Celebrates an individual whose dedication and tenacity has helped improve animal welfare and who in their own free time goes above and beyond the call of duty to improve the lives of animals either in the UK or Internationally.
• Farm Animal Welfare Award (UK & International) – in association with RABI and NADIS
This award is for someone who works within the farming industry and who strives to provide or encourage high standards of ethical and compassionate farm animal welfare.
• International Cat Care Welfare Award - in association with Agria Pet Insurance
This esteemed award recognises a volunteer within a feline welfare project, who has contributed to making a sustainable local change through either re-homing, public education, veterinary education, provision of veterinary services or TNR work. International Cat Care will choose the winner of this award from their extensive member base and therefore no general nominations are required.
