The Daily Mirror Animal Hero Awards takes place on September 7th. I personally think it’s a cruel ceremony that highlights the more prolific groups and individuals, many already in the public eye.
I’ve been involved with various causes and campaigns for an excess of thirty years. I spend much time with rescuers and animals in need of new homes. I’d say more than 50% of smaller rescues aren’t ‘significantly’ online, they’ve limited resources. The majority of sincere animal lovers and campaigners would struggle to vote for a ‘favourite.’ If any awards ceremony should take place – it should be to elevate smaller rescues. To raise awareness for the people who need it most. There’s causes that have forsaken their homes to shelter animals in need of care.
However the Daily Mirror Animal Hero Awards sponsored by multi-million empire the RSPCA (who allegedly give only 15% of profits back to the animals) are once again bringing together a host of people to bask in the limelight. Surely the expense of this would be better spent on elevating and supporting smaller rescues?
Don’t get me wrong, the show will move people to tears with carefully prepared, compassionate footage and heart-felt speeches but how will it help the animals in need of our care? A dog, cat, rabbit, ferret and so on … no matter what cause or charity represents the animals, is no more or less according to a trophy.
It’s all wrong. It’s not sincere and I assume many of the votes are by people who are in it to win it. I don’t think the general public are that interesting at all. I believe that this type of high end bash should be for only one thing, to help the causes who are struggling the most. The non-profit – no kill charities and causes. Virtually anyone can set up a charity these days and claim a high wage from the profits. Not to mention super imposed marketing budgets, pushing the more sincere causes farther behind. I’m dismayed with it all. It should be all about the animals who need help most, not big fake smiles and fancy handbags.
Tiffany Belle Harper.