Ceva Animal Health has revealed its shortlist for its annual animal welfare awards.

Those in contention are:

Chris Laurence Vet of the Year Award

• Andrew Gardiner from the Royal (Dick) School of Veterinary Studies
• Richard Saunders from the Rabbit Welfare Association and Fund
• Jenny Stavisky from the University of Nottingham

Welfare Nurse of the Year Award

• Sarah Dawson from Vets4Pets in Walton Vale, Liverpool
• Samantha Shand from Quarrington Veterinary Surgery in Sleaford
• Ellisah Raven from Bransby Horses in Lincoln

Charity Professional of the Year Award

• Lesley Winton, founder of the Winton Foundation for the Welfare of Bears & Fostering Compassion
• Dr Stephen Blakeway, director of international operations at The Donkey Sanctuary
• Ali Taylor, head of canine behaviour and training at Battersea Dogs & Cats Home

Charity Team of the Year Award

• Mission Rabies
• Mitchelson Found Animals Foundation
• Dogstar Foundation, Sri Lanka

Volunteer of the Year Welfare Award

• Maureen Smith from the National Animal Welfare Trust in Berkshire
• Annie Blumenfeld from Wags 4 Hope, USA
• Dean Bland from Well Equine in Yorkshire

Farm Animal Welfare Award

• Dr Othieno O Joseph, a freelance veterinary journalist from Kenya
• Katrine Bazeley, a retired veterinary surgeon from Dorset
• Graham Duncanson, a retired veterinary surgeon from Norfolk

International Cat Care Welfare Award

International Cat Care will choose the winner from its membership base.

There will also be a special award in recognition of a charity’s commitment to animal welfare. Winners will be revealed at a ceremony in Birmingham ahead of BSAVA Congress on 5 April 2017. See www.cevawelfareawards.com.

The judges’ panel was chaired by retired veterinary surgeon Chris Laurence, chairman of the Animal Welfare Foundation and British Veterinary Behaviour Association. Chris was previously chief veterinary officer at the RSPCA and veterinary director of Dogs Trust.

The awards celebrate the achievements of people from the farming, veterinary and charity industries, who go beyond the call of duty to better the lives of animals around the world. Nominations were submitted by friends, family, clients and colleagues.

Mr Laurence said: “Judging gets more difficult each year as we receive more nominations and they get even more impressive. It is humbling to witness the huge number of people who give their lives to animal welfare to the detriment of better paid jobs or simply going out and enjoying themselves.”