Dedicated Launceston volunteer Kathy Austin has been named a 2023 Petplan & ADCH Animal Charity Awards finalist in the category Charity Volunteer of the Year thanks to her work at the Launceston and District branch of Cats Protection.

Now in their 11th year, the awards are an annual celebration of the incredible work carried out by animal charities and not-for-profit organisations across the UK, Ireland, and the Channel Islands, in partnership with the Association of Dogs and Cat Homes (ADCH). From animal rescue to rehoming, the awards are an opportunity to recognise the achievements of those who dedicate their time to support animal welfare and cover three categories including Volunteer of the Year, Team of the Year, and Employee of the Year.

This year’s awards will be held on Tuesday 16th May at The International Conference Centre in Telford where the finalists will enjoy a celebratory dinner and an evening of entertainment before the winners in each category are announced.

Commenting on her nomination, Kathy said: "I’m very surprised and pleased as there are so many incredible volunteers in the rescue sector dedicating their lives to animal welfare. The Launceston & District CP branch I volunteer for is an amazing team who gives up all its spare time to care for and rehome cats and kittens all over North and SE Cornwall.I provide the feral work for the branch alongside a vet, Helen O'Hare. I go out all evening, in all weathers, and get the cats to the vets for neutering, flea and worm treatment, and ear tipping, then recover them and then drop them back. I also relocate any ferals to smallholdings and stables if they can't stay where they are. i.e if someone feeding them has died. I generally give 20-30 hours a week to CP as a volunteer-. It’s exhausting work but very important.”

Petplan's Sales and Marketing Director, Bella von Mesterhazy, added: “Through our partnership with over 1,200 animal charities we see every day the difference teams and individuals make to the lives of animals.  The Petplan & ADCH Animal Charity Awards are a time to show our appreciation and give these remarkable finalists  the recognition they deserve.”