ASPCA Honors Animal Welfare Advocates
Every year, the ASPCA hosts the Humane Awards to honor outstanding animal and human heroes who go above and beyond to advance animal welfare.
This year, 3 of the winners showcase the work of full-time animal welfare professionals who deserve a special shout-out for their dedication 24/7 to improving the lives of animals.
First, Sterling “TrapKing” Davis, founder of TrapKing Humane Cat Solutions, won the ASPCA Cat Advocate of the year. Davis uses his talent and tenacity to teach his Atlanta community about the importance of spay/neuter surgery and caring for community cats. He engages and activates his community by combining his dedication to saving cats with his love for making music. On a national level, Sterling is a sought-after speaker at animal welfare conferences and provides insights on caring for community cats as well as the intersection of cultural bias and animal welfare.
Second, Oregon Humane Society (OHS), a longtime leader in the national animal sheltering community, won the ASPCA Henry Bergh Award. Since they opened their doors in 1868, OHS has been an innovator of approaches and programs that most effectively meet the needs of vulnerable animals. The depth of OHS programs goes far beyond adoption, including dedicated work in behavior rehabilitation, veterinary education, government relations, animal crime forensics, and free and low-cost services for low-income residents. By conceiving, implementing, and demonstrating groundbreaking programs that respond to contemporary animal welfare challenges, OHS has become a model for the animal welfare field.
Third, the Retired Racehorse Project (RRP) received the ASPCA Equine Welfare Award. RRP works to increase demand for off-track Thoroughbreds in the equestrian world. In addition to producing the Thoroughbred Makeover and National Symposium—the world’s largest retraining competition for retired racehorses—the RRP also publishes Off-Track Thoroughbred Magazine, hosts off-track Thoroughbred retraining clinics and programming at major horse events around the country, and maintains the online Thoroughbred Sport Tracker (the internet’s only user-driven database tracking second career talents and accomplishments of registered Thoroughbreds).
Check out the other 2021 Humane Awards winners.
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