These pet nominees are open to service pets, pets that have overcome strenuous odds, saved a loved ones life or somehow made a difference of homeless pets in our communities. View the nominees below:
James is a cat that has overcome extreme life altering odds. He was found injured in Camden in August and was originally brought to Blackwood Animal Hospital where he was named James. James was approximately one years old. He had a fractured jaw and broken leg when he was picked up by an animal control officer. James fell off a balcony from a fifth floor building in Camden. James was immediately treated at Blackwood Animal Hospital and placed into care at Camden County Animal Shelter until a proper foster care home could be found. At Camden County Animal Shelter Clinic, James had extensive surgery to repair a fracture jaw and broken leg. It was a very difficult fracture repair; however he was fortunate enough to make a full recover. He finally was able to be placed in foster care with Katlyn McDonald during his long recovery period. James was eventually adopted by Katlyn and found a safe furever home.
Bobby (border collie) Thompson was the face of Pledge-a-Paw 2017 and he and his mom tirelessly advocate and raise money whenever they can for the homeless animals at CCAS. He attends adoption events, welcomes CCAS foster dogs into his home, helps hospice dogs achieve their bucket list and helps with food drives. He is active on social media and, along with his mom Hazel, faithfully promotes the “Adopt Don’t Shop“ philosophy as publicly as he can. He helps his mom make toys and bake snacks for the shelter dogs. Bobby doesn’t forget the cats either. He encourgages kitten fostering and buying cat food when CCAS is low. He even picked up and babysat a TNR cat for me when I couldn’t get to the shelter! He does it all with a doggie smile on his face and that cute border collie pep in his step. I can’t think of a pet more deserving of this award.
On April 17, 2015 the President of NJ Aid for Animals was walking through the Camden County Animal Shelter searching for an abused dog she had gotten word of from a probation officer in Camden. While searching for the other dog, she found Sweet Pea who had been brought in by animal control with severely infected wounds on her head and front legs as she was a victim of dog-fighting. NJ Aid for Animals’ President got permission from the shelter to take Sweet Pea to their vet at Mount Laurel Animal Hospital to begin treatment on her open wounds. The entire time, the dog with the heart-shaped nose never snapped at or fought her caregivers. Instead, she sat and waited as they poked and prodded, trusting that they were there to help her. Sweet Pea was taken in to rescue by NJ Aid for Animals and today, recovered 100%, she is safe, thriving, and enjoying her best life. However, she still makes it a point to give back to her other four-legged friends by donating the proceeds from a yearly event inspired by her story giving back to The Sweet Pea Fund for Abused Animals. All of the donations go towards helping abused and abandoned animals with no advocate like Sweet Pea live happy and healthy lives. Sweet Pea’s abuser was never found but the dog that brought us into the shelter was saved and adopted out by the shelter. Her abuser was charged.