Two UK charities will benefit from a huge cash boost after being named as winners of Nestlé Purina’s BetterWithPets Prize (BWPP).
Pets as Therapy and StreetVet were chosen ahead of more than 110 organisations from across Europe to win the prize, which aims to recognise organisations which tackle some of society’s major challenges and harness the pet-human bond. Both charities will share the €200,000 (£175,000) prize along with a third winner from Spain, Center de Terapies Assistides amb Cans.
Pets As Therapy was recognised for its work in providing visits from therapy pets to help support people who might be struggling with loneliness or mental health issues in a number of different places, such as hospitals, care homes and prisons, while StreetVet was awarded for its free and essential veterinary care service for the pets of those experiencing homelessness. The three winning organisations will share the prize pot, which will be paid out over a two-year period.
Pets as Therapy ceo Clare Davis said: “Each and every day our volunteers and their pets are making a difference to people’s lives, from enabling someone lost on the fog of dementia to speak or being a catalyst for someone to speak when they’ve not been able to say what’s wrong. Our impact is immediate and it’s in the here and now.”
Jade Statt, co-founder and clinical director for StreetVet, explained how the award will help StreetVet grow.
She said: “For our clients, pets provide companionship, non-judgemental love, mental health support, a conduit to social connection and, in many cases, a reason to live. Our work with Purina since 2020 has been game changing and being successful in 2023 reinforces how far StreetVet has come.
“The funding will help us pursue sustainable growth and create more opportunities to collaborate and maximise our impact.”
Calum Macrae, regional director of Purina UK & Ireland, added: “I’m thrilled that two brilliant UK charities are both winners of this year’s Purina BetterWithPets Prize. StreetVet does incredible work in helping to protect the pet-human bond, often when it’s needed most, and the mental and physical wellbeing benefits that StreetVet brings to both pets and people experiencing homelessness, is huge.
“Pets As Therapy equally has a huge impact through their work to support vulnerable people. The impressive scale they achieve through their unique model, using volunteer pets and owners, makes a massive difference in local communities. I’m looking forward to working with both charities in the future.”
