The above award is a tribute to the many humans who devote their lives to saving and improving the quality of lives of countless numbers of animals. Their dedication is incredible and has to be admired.
Well done to all of you!
Cesar Millan with the late Daddy
My first award goes to Cesar Milan, the dog whisperer. Thanks to Cesar's hard work, dedication and commitment many dogs who may have had to be destroyed have been able to return to and enjoy their lives with their once desperate humans. His calm assertive approach shows that people do not have to be cruel to their dogs in order to train them.
Also a posthumous award goes to the lovely Daddy, Cesar's right hand man
Dr Alison and the late Jim Cronin
Monkey World in Dorset, England or to give it it's full name Monkey World - Ape Rescue Centre was set up in 1987 by the late Jim Cronin and was then later run by both him and his wife Alison. It was set up in order to provide a home for abused chimpanzees who had been used as props by Spanish beach photographers but is now home to a variety of primate species.
Monkey world also works with foreign goverments to stop the smuggling of wild primates
Monkey World is now a 65 acre safe haven for many primates who have been rescued from a variety of bad circumstances and who now thanks to the dedication of Jim and Alison Cronin and their hard working staff at Monkey World are able to finally enjoy their lives to the full
Les Stocker MBE
Les Stocker is very well known to the public as the founder of St Tiggywinkles Hospital, the world's biggest wildlife hospital. Les along with his wife Sue started their hospital in 1978. At this time their premises consisted of a garden shed at the back of their house in Aylesbury. At this time Les was still working full time as an accountant, giving assistance to any animal, particularly hedgehogs that their neighbours brought to them. His commitment to providing first aid for animals soon took over his life and since 1991 St Tiggywinkles has been located in a purpose built complex in the village of Haddenham, in Buckinghamshire, near London
St Tiggywinkles treats over 10,000 animal casualties every year. Their doors are open 24 hours a day, 365 days of the year. All casualties are treated free of charge
The hospital is named after one of Beatrix Potters most well loved characters, Mrs Tiggywinkle, the hedgehog!
His Holiness the Dalai Lama
The Dalai Lama has spoken movingly about the need for compassion for animals and how we all have a responsibility to act intentionally with protecting them from human caused cruelty. In the past he has also spoken out against factory farming and other forms of cruelty. He has also participated in a panel discussion on animals about efforts to combat institutionalised cruelty and India's increasingly organised and determined animal welfare community
“Animals deserve our compassion,” His Holiness said. “We must know their pain. We should nurture this compassion through education. Showing concern about animal rights is respecting their life.”
An audience of about 200 heard the Dalai Lama speak, as well as remarks by Wayne Pacelle, president and CEO of The HSUS; Andrew Rowan, president and CEO of HSI; animal advocate Pritish Nandy; Bollywood superstar Anil Kapoor; and author Chetan Bhagat.
“There are remarkable people who have embraced the cause of protecting animals, but few with the moral authority and conviction of His Holiness the Dalai Lama," Pacelle said. "His presence today provides an emotional and spiritual lift to our efforts to elevate animal welfare campaigns and activities in the subcontinent of India."