Rabbits
Burgess Excel Vet Awards: Shortlist Of Finalists Championing Rabbit And Guinea Pig Welfare Is Announced
2 years ago 
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The judging panel for this year’s Burgess Excel Vet Awards, which celebrate veterinary practices and individuals who work tirelessly to improve the lives of the UK’s pet rabbits and guinea pigs, has announced its shortlist of finalists for 2022.
This year’s judging panel comprised:
- Dr Suzanne Moyes MVB, MRCVS, Veterinary Director at Burgess Pet Care and spokesperson for the Rabbit Awareness Action Group (RAAG) and Rabbit Awareness Week (RAW);
- Rae Walters, Director of the Rabbit Welfare Association & Fund (RWAF), the UK’s largest rabbit welfare charity;
- John Chitty BVetMed CertZooMed MRCVS, Co-Director of a small animals/ exotics practice in Andover and outgoing president of the British Small Animal Veterinary Association 2017-2018;
- Dr Sophie Jenkins, BVetMed PgCEAS GPExAP MRCVS RCVS, Advanced Practitioner in Zoological Medicine, Founder of Origins Vets, Cardiff; and,
- Dani Sewell MICPR, Communications Director at Fred Marketing, a full-service marketing agency specialising in the pet / animal welfare sector and delivering strategic communications for the Rabbit Awareness Action Group, Rabbit Awareness Week and Guinea Pig Awareness Week.
When drawing up the shortlist of finalists, the judges considered different criteria for each category, with a particular focus on those individuals and practices capable of demonstrating exceptional knowledge of rabbit and guinea pig care and husbandry; of providing first-class care and attention to owners and their pets; and evidence of having gone beyond expectations in order to improve the lives of rabbits and guinea pigs.
The finalists in each category are as follows:
Rabbit Vet of the Year
- Dr Madonna Livingstone, Ark Veterinary Clinic, Coatbridge
- Dr Amy Reynolds, Highcroft Vet Group, Bristol
- Dr Jenna Richardson, Royal (Dick) School of Veterinary Studies, Edinburgh
- Dr Molly Varga Smith, Rutland House Exotics, St Helens
- Dr Heather Westron, Alma Veterinary Surgery, Scarborough
Rabbit Vet Nurse of the Year
- Heidi Barringer, Woodgreen Pets Charity, Godmanchester
- Laura Chivers, Plymouth Veterinary Group, Plymouth
- Sophie Enticknap, Vets4Pets, Hayling Island
- Emma Jeffrey, Galedin Vets, Berwick-upon-Tweed
- Abi Nell, Mill House Vets, Kings Lynn
Rabbit-friendly Veterinary Practice of the Year
- Ashleigh Vets, Manchester
- Origin Vets Clinic, Cardiff
- Suffolk Exotic Vets, Wangford, Suffolk
- Valley Exotics, Cardiff
- Westfield Vets, Wells
Rabbit Support Staff of the Year
- Paiton Barker, Woodgreen Pets Charity, Godmanchester
- Jo Hambling, Suffolk Exotic Vets, Wangford, Suffolk
- Khloe McNeill, Braid Vets, Edinburgh
- Carly Sedgemore, Bridges Vets, Cardiff
- Sophie Staniland, Valley Vet Hospital, Cardiff
Rabbit Student of the Year
- Marie Jackson, Royal Veterinary College, London
- Joshua Sancho, Blue Cross Animal Hospital, London
Rabbit Awareness Week (RAW) Campaign of the Year
- Mill House Vets, Kings Lynn
- Medivet, Burton-on-Trent
- Plymouth Vet Group, Plymouth
- Suffolk Exotic Vets, Wangford, Suffolk
Guinea Pig-friendly Veterinary Practice of the Year
- Arun Vet Group, Chichester
- Derwent Valley Vets, Matlock
- Holly House Vets, Leeds
- Westfield Vets, Wells
- Woodlands Veterinary Group, Ivybridge
Linda Cantle, Director of Pet & Owner Support Services at Woodgreen Pets Charity, which has been nominated in two categories, said: “Times are tough for charities like Woodgreen at the moment, so finding out that two of our incredible team members have been shortlisted for an award is a real morale boost. We’ve been working hard for many years to help rabbits and rabbit owners in need, which are unfortunately increasing in numbers, and also to raise awareness of their unique needs as pets.
“We’re so grateful to Burgess Pet Care and the judges for recognising Heidi and Paiton’s dedication to improving rabbit welfare, both on-site in our veterinary surgery and out in our local communities. Whatever happens next with the awards, they’re already winners in our eyes!”
Dr Michaela Betts BVetMed RCVS, Veterinary Surgeon at Suffolk Exotic Vets, added: - "We were so excited and absolutely delighted to hear that we'd made the shortlist for any of these awards, let alone three!
“Despite being one of the most popularly kept pets, rabbit welfare needs are sadly often still overlooked. We are so proud that our team's efforts to advocate and promote rabbit health and welfare have been recognised in this way."
Dr Suzanne Moyes, MVB, MRCVS, Burgess Excel Awards judge, and Veterinary Director at Burgess Pet Care, said: -
“Since the launch of the Burgess Excel Vet Awards in 2020 they have gone from strength to strength and once again, we have been overwhelmed with the quality and number of entries we have received. It’s been fantastic to read so many examples of those working in the veterinary community who are often going that extra mile to take care of the UK’s rabbits and guinea pigs”.
This year’s winners will be announced at the end of November on Burgess Pet Care’s social media pages and website. One winner from each of the seven categories will receive £250 and a trophy in recognition of their efforts.
For more information on the Burgess Excel Vet Awards, please visit their website.
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