Purina has opened applications for its annual BetterwithPets Prize (BWPP), intended to promote the pet-human bond as a way to improve the health and wellbeing of individuals and/or society at large.
Non-Governmental Organisations (NGOs) and social enterprises from more than 40 European nations are invited to apply for the funding, with the winning applicants receiving a grant of up to €200,000 (£175,000)) over a two-year period. The total prize fund may go to one organisation or be shared between a number of entrants and all participants will be invited to collaborate, share best practices, foster initiatives, network, and fundraise.
Purina launched the BetterwithPets Prize back in 2018. Previous UK winners include StreetVet, which was awarded the resources to develop their first accredited hostel scheme to provide shelters for homeless people and their pets at the height of the pandemic when accommodation for the homeless was a key issue. A grant was also previously awarded to UK charity Medical Detection Dogs, which trains dogs to detect human disease with the aim of developing faster, more efficient and less invasive diagnostics that lead to better patient outcomes.
Purina aims to provide grants of up to €100,000 EUR per year, for two consecutive years. Financial support will be allocated to provide significant, impactful support to the grantee while avoiding excessive dependence on Purina, within a range of 10-50% of the available annual budget of the grantee.
To help raise awareness of the BetterwithPets Prize and encourage organisations to apply, Purina is partnereing with disability rights campaigner Dr Amit Patel, who has forged a close relationship with his guide dog Kika after losing his sight in 2013.
He said: “The BetterWithPets Prize is a unique opportunity for those working to improve the health and wellbeing of humans through the pet-human bond, to gain support, insight, awareness and funding for their ventures.
“As someone who comes from a medical background but now relies on my guide dog Kika to provide independence and security, I know first-hand how important having a pet by my side can be, not just in providing physical support but also for my mental wellbeing too.”
Calum Macrae, regional director of Purina UK&I, added: “We know there is strength in the pet-human bond and that it has the power to be a positive force for change in society.
“We are proud of what we have achieved so far through the BetterWithPets Prize but know there is more to be done and so urge organizations or social enterprises working to support people in vulnerable situations by the power of the pet-human bond, to apply for the Prize and join this community.”
Applications for Purina’s BetterwithPets Prize are open until March 3, 2023.
More details are available here.
