Pets Plus Us Announces Champion Awards Recipients

Champion Awards recognizes remarkable individuals that care for pets in our community

OAKVILLE, ON, Oct. 27, 2014  /CNW/ - Pets Plus Us, an insurance provider and online community, recognizes pets and owners across Canada through the Champion Awards. The award celebrates individuals who loyally treat, volunteer, rescue and care for pets in our community.

During the three-phase selection process, Canadians nominated their favourite pet and owner champions for one of six categories:

• Veterinary Clinic
• Veterinary staff
• Community Outreach
• Shelter &Rescue
• Volunteer
• Pet Owner

"We received 161 nominations across all categories and over 77,000 votes, which is a huge success for the first year of this program," said Randy Valpy, Top Dog at Pets Plus Us. "We hope that the Champion Awards inspires new advocates to champion pet owner happiness in their own way."

The program's final phase enlisted a panel of judges to review the top 5 finalists in each category as voted on by the public, including:

• Cindy Adams, MSW PhD, University of Calgary, Veterinary Medicine
• Doug Raven, CEO, Ontario Veterinary Medical Association
• Jason B Coe DVM, PhD, Canadian Television Host
• Valerie Pringle, Journalist and Volunteer
• Rowan Saunders, President and CEO, RSA Canada
• Randy Valpy, Top Dog at Pets Plus Us.

The panel also selected the "Bestie" – the nominee that stood out most from all six categories. To celebrate the seven recipients of the Champion Awards, Pets Plus Us will donate $1,500 to each winner's charity of choice.

Presentation Schedule:

• Pet Owner Award: Laura Watling
  • Charity: Burlington Humane Society
  • Location: 740 Griffith Court, Burlington, ON, L7L 5R9
  • Date and Time: Tues., Oct. 28, 2014 at 4 p.m.
• Volunteer Award: Emma Haslam
  • Charity: Oakville and Milton Humane Society
  • Location: 445 Cornwall Rd, Oakville, ON, L6J 7S8
  • Date and Time: Wed., Oct. 29, 2014 at 5 p.m.
• Community Outreach Award: Dr. Tammy Hornak
  • Charity: Canon's Cause (Caledonia, B.C.)
  • Location: Welland Humane Society – 60 Provincial St, Welland, ON, L3B 5W7
  • Date and Time: Thu., Oct. 30, 2014 at 4:30 p.m.
• Veterinary Clinic Award: Pacific Cat Clinic
  • Charity: NANA Foundation (Victoria, B.C.)
  • Location: Pacific Cat Clinic – 3555 Ravine Way, Victoria, BC V8X 4Z1
  • Date and Time: Wed., Nov. 5, 2014 at 4:30 p.m.
• Shelter & Rescue Award: Max's Dog Sanctuary (Lisa Taylor)
  • Charity: Max's Dog Sanctuary (Windsor, ON)
  • Location: 2156 Hall Avenue, Windsor, ON, N8W 2L6
  • Date and Time: Fri., Nov. 7, 2014 at 10:30 a.m.
• Veterinary Staff Award: Randi Young
  • Charity: Feline Rescue Organization (Woodstock, ON)
  • Location: Windrush Veterinary Clinic – 26 Sixth Concession Road, Brantford, ON, N3T 5L7
  • Date and Time: Fri., Nov. 7, 2014 at 2:30 p.m.
• Bestie Award: Shelley Cunningham
  • Charity: Litters 'N Critters Rescue Society (Tantallon, N.S.)
  • Location: RSA NS Office – 50 Garland Ave., Dartmouth, NS, B3B 0A3
  • Date and Time: Fri., Nov. 14, 2014 at 2:30 p.m.

"We are proud to celebrate each champion who shows compassion and care for the pets in our community," said Randy Valpy, Top Dog at Pets Plus Us. "It's with the help of these inspiring individuals that Pets Plus Us can share the joy that pets bring to us every day."

For more information regarding Pets Plus Us and the Champion Awards, visit www.petsplusus.com.

About PETS PLUS US

Pets Plus Us is on a crusade to create pet owner happiness. We've reimagined pet insurance with vet-designed coverage and Canada's first Wellness-only plan. We're also building a dynamic community that's empowered to make responsible choices for their pets' wellbeing. Pets Plus Us is a division of Royal & Sun Alliance Insurance Company of Canada and its products are offered and underwritten by Royal & Sun Alliance Insurance Company of Canada.

SOURCE: Pets Plus Us

Susie Nick, APEX Public Relations, [email protected], 416-934-2125