Rescue dog Diesel has his day
SINCERE applause for the NHS still echoes in the heart long after the curtains were brought down on the nation’s Thursday night salutes. We must never forget the unfaltering efforts of thousands of key workers in the battle against coronavirus, be they frontline medics or those who have kept us fed, safe and upbeat these anxious past months.
Now is the time to recognise other unlikely heroes who have soothed and supported our journey through the nightmare of lockdown.
Pets and wildlife may be unaware of the travails humanity has faced from an invisible virus, yet in their own inimitable way they have played a unerring role in providing resolve and contentment during a time when many of us could have easily folded.
Walks with dogs got us outdoors. Cuddles with cats gave the physical contact social distancing denied.watching birds from windows as they have gone about springtime nest-building and raising young has been as exhilarating as any television box set. Garden visiting hedgehogs have brought feelings of contentment with their nightly rituals, seeking out food and water during the sunniest spring on record.
For all their benevolence, animals also have their own welfare needs. Preserving, protecting and nurturing pets and wild creatures in their own times of trouble are many wonderful people whose devotion and duty deserve recognition.
After this challenging spring and summer, autumn will provide a fitting opportunity to celebrate such champions at one of my favourite annual events. For many years, the International Fund for Animal Welfare’s Animal Action Awards have been a mustnot-miss date in the diary.
Held at the House of Lords, a legion of remarkable people have been honoured for their works in helping pets and wildlife suffering all manner of ills.
Last year, for instance, awards were given to Pauline and Keith Marley for rescuing and rehabilitating 15,000 wild animals and birds. Bristol-based vet Elisa
Best, who founded a craft conservation charity to support rescued rhinos and other African wildlife, initially through knitting blankets for orphan animals, was also honoured.
Every year also sees an animal hailed for its sterling deeds and the latest recipient is 10 year old springer spaniel Diesel, the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service dog. Apart from his daily role of helping to search for vulnerable people and looking for victims of gas explosions when buildings collapse, he was also deployed to Nepal after the devastating earthquake in 2015.
IFAW is today appealing for nominations for this year’s awards, which are regarded as not only a way of highlighting the amazing efforts of those working tirelessly to help creatures great and small but also an inspiration for others to go the extra yard for animal welfare.
New additions to this year’s categories include a young person’s award, an innovation award and an award for individual species protection.
The closing date for nominations is June 30. IFAW UK Regional Director James Sawyer said: “Our awards are an opportunity to celebrate some of the many previously unsung heroes of animal welfare and conservation, members of the UK public who go above and beyond to help animals.
“IFAW believes in the importance of rescuing individual animals as well as whole populations, and by awarding the amazing work of our winners we aim to inspire others to do their bit for animals.”
● To nominate visit ifaw.org/awards
‘Applauding the animals and their champions’