Fallen Angels Pet Rescue , a shelter for abandoned, abused and neglected animals, received the Brian Davies Award last week along with a cheque for R144 000.
The Brian Davies Award is a new annual award made to an animal welfare organisation that helps animals in difficult and challenging circumstances.
It is named after animal welfare pioneer Brian Davies, who last Friday, along with his wife Gloria Davis, handed over the award to Fallen Angels founder Shireen Williams at the shelter in Melkbosstrand.
More than 10 000 people voted and award nominees came from Greece, Uruguay and South Africa.
Fallen Angels cares for 328 dogs.
Ms Williams said they were humbled to receive the award.
She said almost R100 000 of the money would be used to pay off vet bills. They would also use the money to buy dog food.
“Fallen Angels helps hundreds of dogs each year.
“They work in grindingly poor areas where people do not have the knowledge or means to care for dogs. But Fallen Angels provides love and hope to each one they can,” said Mr Davies.
“We are humbled being nominated and acknowledged by our peers and fellow animal warriors. This award will change the lives of our fur angels in our care and of those to come,” said Ms Williams.
She thanked the animal charity welfare Network for Animals (NFA) which organised the awards. The Fallen Angels Pet Rescue work incredibly hard for the benefit of the animals and this money came in extremely handy to help them bring down their escalating vet bill, having to care for the true fallen angels.
Not only is this shelter doing a fantastic job at helping the helpless, but they are also exposed to a massive growth spurt of local housing developments popping up everywhere.
“We applaud Mr Davies for the work that he does to help the animals all over the world,” said Ms Williams.