Following a nationwide search in 2013 by Petplan.co.uk to find some truly deserving people who devote their lives to looking after animals in need, PAWS are delighted to announce long time staff member and Kennel Manager Sarah Connolly won the Animal charity employee of the year in the first ever Petplan & ADCH Animal Charity Awards! 
These new awards received 3,400 nominations from adopters, supporters, charity staff and volunteers, highlighting the tireless work that goes on in animal charities to improve animal welfare.
This is what PAWS founder Gina has to say about Sarah:
Sarah is an incredible human being; she sleeps, eats and breathes the dogs in her care. She knows all of our 80 dogs individually and the minute one of them is not well or distressed, she knows immediately. Our Veterinary Surgeons take her opinion so seriously that they know, if Sarah says a dog is sick..then a dog is most definitely sick.
Sarah runs the kennels, deals with our European adoption groups, sending them photos and information on the greyhounds & lurchers they are trying to rehome for us. She Microchips, Vaccinates, de Worms, de fleas, fundraises, moderates our Facebook group and page, assisted with school visits and does all this in a 24 hour day, and quite frequently at night, as she lives on site. I have seen her handle the most difficult owners, who threaten to do away with a dog, unless she takes it immediately, and diffuse the situation, consequently, saving the life of the dog.
I just cannot say enough about this lady and her amazing commitment to abandoned animals. At the young age of 29, she has dedicated a third of her life to rescue dogs. It gives me hope for the future of Animal Rescue to see young people like this coming up through the ranks and I truly believe they will change the face of Animal Welfare for the next generation.
A huge congratulations to Sarah for her award which was truly deserved.
Watch Sarahs nomination video here.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GQcJYa3SnIM
