Great Yarmouth Borough Council wins awards for dog warden and kennelling services

The RSPCA's annual PawPrints Awards have been running since 2008 and recognise local authorities and public bodies that go above and beyond to deliver world-class animal welfare services.

They celebrate outstanding work across the UK in animal welfare, responsible pet ownership and the provision of services for stray dogs. Awards are granted based on the achievements and standards set by participating councils.

The council has received a platinum PawPrint award for its stray dog services. The RSPCA citation said: "With five consecutive Gold PawPrints in Stray Dog Services, Great Yarmouth Borough Council has achieved the prestigious Platinum PawPrint, showcasing sustained excellence and leadership in this vital area."

The council has also been recognised with a gold PawPrint award in the kennelling category, for providing what the charity says reflects the highest standards in animal welfare, behaviour support and rehoming practices.

The kennelling category is open to organisations that kennel dogs for animal welfare reasons and this year only 13 awards were made throughout England and Wales.

The recognition underscores the council's unwavering commitment to the welfare of stray dogs and its dedication to providing outstanding animal care services.

Mike Gardiner, of Animal Warden Services, which provides the dog warden service for Great Yarmouth Borough Council, said: "We are thrilled by these awards and are very proud of the whole team. We remain committed to enhancing the welfare of all animals.

''We look forward to continuing our work in collaboration with the council and this award reinforces our commitment to maintaining the highest standards of care for all stray dogs and encourages us to keep striving for excellence."

Councillor Paul Wells, Great Yarmouth Borough Council's portfolio holder for Environment and Sustainability, Licensing and Waste, said: ''This award for our services is a testament to the hard work of the council's Animal Control Team, which has consistently demonstrated compassion, expertise and dedication to improving the lives of stray dogs in the Great Yarmouth area.''

Lee Gingell, public affairs manager at the RSPCA, said: "We're delighted to recognise Great Yarmouth Borough Council with these two awardsin this year's RSPCA PawPrints Awards. Its commitment to animal welfare is truly commendable, and we hope its example inspires others to strive for excellence."

·       For more information about Animal Warden Services or to learn how you can support its efforts, please visit www.animalwardenservices.co.uk

·       To report a stray dog in the borough please see: www.great-yarmouth.gov.uk/article/2069/How-do-I-report-a-lost-or-stray-dog