Tonight we’re celebrating some of the UK’s most amazing animals, their owners and charities at the Mirror People’s Pet Awards 2022.
The inspirational winners will be honoured at a star-studded ceremony, hosted by the hilarious Judi Love.
You can watch it all via our exclusive online broadcast.
Here’s a sneak peek at those being honoured…
MAGGIE - WEBBOX JOY OF PETS
Wonder dog Maggie is lucky to be here. Horrifically abused, she fought back against all the odds and is now a loved therapy dog.
Maggie was rescued from Lebanon, where thugs had used her for target practice.
She was found pregnant, with 200 bullet wounds and a broken jaw. One of her ears had been hacked off and her eyes removed.
Her injuries were so severe, rescuers wondered if she should be put to sleep. But Maggie, seven, pulled through and was brought to the UK and put in foster care with Kasey Carlin, 28, from Brighton.
Kasey fell in love with Maggie and her wonky looks, and adopted her in 2018.
“When I first had her, some people thought Maggie was so damaged she should have been put down,” says Kasey.
“She is proof that anything is possible.”
Now Maggie works as a therapy dog in care homes, schools and hospitals across Sussex.
MR LONDON MEOW - CAT OF THE YEAR
He’s the hospital therapy cat loved by patients, staff and his thousands of besotted social media followers.
And Mr London Meow makes everyone smile with his wardrobe of amazing outfits!
The dapper four-year-old is a half-Persian, half-Rag Doll Instagram star, regularly posing for cute photos for his almost 10,000 devotees.
Mr London Meow is a registered therapy cat, popping into hospitals around his home, in London, to put patients at ease.
His owner, Isabel Serafim, 44, says: “When we go to hospital people love seeing him. He makes them smile and can help people feel calm when they might not be in the best of health.”
MAX - DOGS TRUST DOG OF THE YEAR
Staffordshire bull terriers have become one of the most unwanted, hard-to-home dogs around.
But 12-year-old Max is helping change people’s minds about this often massively misunderstood breed.
He was adopted by Amelia Piper, 19, and her family when he was eight months old, after being forced to fight by his owners.
Despite his ordeal, Max had a very gentle nature and has proved a perfect assistance dog for Amelia’s disabled sister.
Amelia created a Facebook group dedicated to Max, who is now an ambassador for the Senior Staffy Club and visits lonely older people.
Amelia, a student, from Conwy, North Wales, says: “I want to show the world the Staffy’s bad reputation is not fair. He is so loving, caring and gentle with my sister but also with everyone he meets.”
PARK PALACE PONIES - INSPIRATION
The bond between humans and horses has always been special.
And Park Palace Ponies is an inspirational riding school, providing affordable lessons and building up the confidence of 5,000 children in South Liverpool.
One child who took part in the scheme said: “If I can get on a pony and ride it, I can put my hand up in class.” The riding school was founded by teacher Bridget Griffin, 26, dad Keith Hackett and directors Paul Hayward, Pauline Hayward and Michaela Walsh.
As Bridget says: “We want every child in Liverpool to have the opportunity to learn to ride.”
BILLY - INTERNET SENSATION
When window cleaner Russell Jones broke his ankle and needed to use crutches, his lurcher Billy started limping as well.
Russell, 51, from Herts, spent £300 on vet bills to try to find out what was wrong with Billy.
But when they found nothing, the family realised their pet was putting it on – in sympathy with his injured owner.
A video clip of nine-year-old Billy limping alongside Russell went viral after he shared it on Facebook.
As Russell explains: “We realised he was copying me because I was hobbling along.”
Sadly, Russell and Michelle lost Billy earlier this year but they’re delighted that he is being honoured.
“It’s just incredible,” says Russell. “It keeps Billy’s memory alive.”
BREAKING THE CHAINS - ANIMAL HERO
It isn’t just humans caught up in the war in Ukraine, animals are in danger too.
But a British charity is helping to keep them safe.
Breaking the Chains was set up in 2020 to come to the rescue of animals around the world.
And the organisation, run by a group of British Army veterans, sprung into action when Russia invaded Ukraine. They partner with charities War Paws and DogBus to resupply and rebuild shelters, reuniting pets with refugee families and rescuing 3,000 animals so far, from family pets to horses, bears and big cats stranded in abandoned zoos.
“At the start of the war, we saw shelters and zoos getting caught behind Russian lines with little food, water and supplies,” says Tom, one of the founders.
“It broke my heart.”
LOUISE RUSSELL - SPECIAL RECOGNITION
Louise Russell has been bringing together pets and older people to combat loneliness for almost a decade, through her charity Give a Dog a Bone. If people over 60 choose to re-home an animal from a shelter, the charity can cover the fees and food costs.
Since Louise, 47, from East Renfrewshire, launched the charity in 2013, it has helped re-home more than 300 dogs.
And it has set up spaces where retired people can make friends and enjoy the company of dogs.
As Louise says: “We have big dreams to grow the charity to reach more people and rescue more animals.”
REGGIE - BEST RESCUE
Brave rescuers fought against the odds to save the life of Reggie, a springer spaniel puppy who spent 34 hours stuck in a crevice.
Reggie was on a walk with Leah Davies – the sister of his owner – when he slipped and fell in the Clydach forest, near Swansea, Wales.
Unable to see him, Leah called South Wales Fire and Rescue Service, which struggled to reach him. They planned to come back the next day, leaving Reggie alone overnight.
“I was absolutely petrified and felt so helpless,” says Leah.
In desperation, she took to social media. Drainage engineers Harry Booton and Neil Wilson raced to the scene, bringing a drains camera to find Reggie.
Then, with help from other volunteers, they were able to lift him out safely.
REFUGE4PETS - SPECIAL RECOGNITION
Leaving an abusive relationship is never easy, and when pets are involved it can be even trickier.
That’s why the work done by Mary Wakeham and her charity, Refuge4Pets, is so important.
They provide foster care for pets, as well as free advice, veterinary treatment, pet food and bedding, and have so far helped more than 250 individuals and families.
Caring Mary drew on her own experiences to set up the service back in 2017.
“The vast majority of victim-survivors who escape domestic abuse are unable to take animals with them into emergency accommodation,” she explains.
“This can serve as a barrier to people getting the support and safety they need."
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MATILDA - CARING ANIMAL
Sofia Dobson was left wheelchair-bound and with cerebral palsy after suffering a stroke at two days old.
Doctors said she probably wouldn’t talk or walk but she has proved them wrong, helped by best friend, dog, Matilda.
Sofia’s family, from Warrington, Cheshire, felt a support dog could help with her complex sensory issues and were won over by Bisson Friche Matilda’s laid-back nature.
Sofia, eight, says: “Matilda is my best friend. When I am scared or sad she makes me happy again.”
Mum Sarah, 45, says: “Matilda has helped Sofia in so many ways, even letting us know when she might be about to have a seizure. Like everything else, we’ve never taught her that, she just seems to know what to do.”
Watch the Mirror People’s Pet Awards with Webbox, Dogs Trust and Cats Protection @peoplespetawards on Facebook, Twitter and YouTube at 8pm tonight.
