The winners of the prestigious Ceva Animal Welfare Awards 2018 have been announced in a glittering ceremony in The Mercian Suite at the Birmingham Conference & Events Centre in Birmingham, following a record-breaking number of nominations of the highest calibre.

The awards were hosted by TV presenter and animal lover, Matt Baker, and renowned retired veterinary surgeon, Chris Laurence MBE FRCVS, who puts his name to the Vet of the Year Award. 

They recognise the achievements of remarkable people from the farming, veterinary and charity industries, who go beyond the call of duty to better the lives of animals around the world including veterinary and charity professionals, researchers and volunteers. 

The awards’ ceremony on 4 April in the run up to BSAVA (British Small Animal Veterinary Association) Congress saw praise bestowed on all the shortlisted nominees and winners were announced across six categories.

Once again, an esteemed panel of industry professionals chaired by Chris Laurence were challenged with selecting the worthy shortlisted individuals and groups and the ultimate winners.

Speaking at the ceremony, chair of the judging panel, Chris Laurence, said: ““The quality of nominations for this year’s awards surpassed any we’ve had before, and the people and organisations nominated are well deserved winners.  It is especially pleasing to see people from different organisations coming together in the name of animal welfare to work together and to provide leadership.  Not only do the winners deserve our thanks and praise but all those nominated should be really proud of what they do for the welfare of animals that can’t speak for themselves.”

Winners of the Ceva Animal Welfare Awards 2018 by category, are:

Chris Laurence Vet of the Year Award supported by Your Dog and Your Cat magazines
Richard Saunders, Veterinary Advisor to the Rabbit Welfare Association and Fund (RWAF)

Welfare Nurse of the Year Award in association with Agria Pet Insurance
Adina Valentine, Blue Cross Animal Hospital in Grimsby

Charity Team of the Year supported by PDSA
The Dog Breeding Reform Group

Charitable Contribution of the Year supported by Blue Cross
Helen Whiteside, Canine Research Associate at Guide Dogs

Farm Animal Welfare Award supported by R.A.B.I. and NADIS
The University of Nottingham Dairy Herd Health Group

International Cat Care Welfare of the Year Award
Maria Pinto Teixeira from Animals de Rua (AdR) in Portugal

Two individuals and organisations were given special recognition during the evening. 

A Lifetime Achievement Award was presented to Jenny Bunting, a retired veterinary surgeon from the Brighton Greyhound Owners Association (BGOA) and a Retired Greyhound Trust trustee.  Jenny has volunteered for these organisations for approximately 40 years and, at 87 years old, keeps up her membership of the RCVS so that she can support the charity she helped found back in 1978.  She often funds any medication needed by greyhounds in the care of the charity at her own expense.  Jenny was one of the first women to train as a vet in this country and has dedicated her life to the health and welfare of greyhounds.

International Cat Care was awarded a Special Recognition Award in appreciation of the charity’s 60 years of dedication to engage, educate and empower people throughout the world to improve the health and welfare of cats by sharing advice, training and passion.

The winners were presented with their coveted awards on stage by Matt Baker and Chris Laurence, alongside a representative from each of the category sponsors, which this year included: Blue Cross, PDSA, International Cat Care, Agria Pet Insurance, NADIS and R.A.B.I. and Your Dog and Your Cat magazines.

“I am truly humbled by the hard work and dedication of individuals and organisations who are passionate about improving animal welfare and would like to congratulate both the finalists and the award winners who are making a real difference to the lives of animals both in the UK and abroad,” commented, co-host of the awards, Matt Baker.

Cuneyt Seckin, managing director of Ceva Animal Health, added: “The Ceva Animal Welfare Awards go from strength to strength, both in terms of the number and quality of entries that we receive during the nomination process and the dedication, commitment and enthusiasm of the finalists and winners who often go above and beyond the call of duty in the name of animal welfare.”

For further information on the Ceva Animal Welfare Awards visit www.cevawelfareawards.com.