Nominations have opened for the RSPCA Honours awards and the animal welfare charity and former winner John Bishop are urging people to get in touch and share their stories about animal champions.
The charity is asking members of the public to nominate a standout character, friend, colleague, loved one or pet. If you know someone who has worked tirelessly to improve animal welfare, campaigned on behalf of animals or shown true bravery, you can nominate them. The awards will be presented at ceremony in London in June.
Last year, 13 awards were given out on the night including to comedian John Bishop, who was awarded Celebrity Animal Champion of the Year and thanked the RSPCA via a video message in which he talked about his extensive collection of rescue animals including dogs, chickens, sheep, horses and alpacas, as well as a pig called Milo, adopted from RSPCA Block Fen Animal Centre and two RSPCA turkeys Ingrid and Bernard.
RESCUE PETS
John said: “It was great to receive the Celebrity Animal Champion of the Year award from the RSPCA last year. Animals are an important part of my life and we have lots of rescue pets at home including our lovely turkeys!
“Animals give you double the love you give them and that’s why I think people should rescue an animal. There’s loads of them out there and they’re just waiting for you.”
The previous RSPCA Honours winner, pictured above with his wife Melanie and Bernard, one of their rescued turkeys, added: “The RSPCA Honours is an inspiring night showcasing some great animal lovers and amazing animals. It is an opportunity to recognise those people and organisations that help to make the lives of animals better through kindness, courage and determination.
“Nominations are now open so why not kickstart the new year by thanking an amazing animal champion.”