Latest news with #AnimalStarAwards
Yahoo
15-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Man who set up dog walking business while grieving his parents shortlisted for award
A man who set up a dog walking business while grieving the loss of both his parents has been shortlisted for an award. Nathan Jennings, 32, launched Rupert's Mates in January after both of his parents died just six months apart from one another. He was 'struggling to cope' and found solace after setting up the Bury-based dog walking and pet sitting business. Nathan has now been named as a finalist in the Best Pet Related Business category for the Animal Star Awards 2025. Get the latest news delivered straight to your inbox by signing up to the Bury Times morning newsletter as well as our breaking news alerts. He said: 'It's a real honour to be recognised among so many brilliant pet professionals. Being named a finalist means a lot, not just for me, but for the people and pets who've been part of this journey. 'It hasn't always been easy, but I've been lucky to have family, clients, and fellow dog professionals who've cheered me on, offered advice, and helped me find my feet on the tougher days.' Nathan and his partner Jodie Sykes, decided to add Rupert, a chow chow and cavachon cross, to their household in an effort to create a 'new kind of family bond' which later inspired Nathan to set up the business. READ NEXT: Cat suffers life-changing burns in street acid attack READ NEXT: Disabled woman's sister hits out following 'series of care failings' Rupert's Mates offers customers flexible, tailored dog walking either in groups or one-to-one across Bury, Bolton and surrounding areas. They also do cat and pet drop-ins, puppy visits, transportation and emergency sitting. The Animal Star Awards were created in 2016 to give recognition to animals and humans for the 'extraordinary things that they do for one another' and the ceremony will take place in Leeds later this year. Nathan added: 'I'm very thankful for the continued support and trust from the people who let me be a part of their pets' lives every week. 'Even just being recognised is a win for me and I am looking forward to a night away with the mrs in Leeds for the awards ceremony.' Nathan will be hosting a stall at the Andy's Man Club Summer Fair on Saturday, June 29 at Radcliffe FC to raise vital funds for men's mental health and welcomes the opportunity to meet other dog walkers and owners.
Yahoo
08-03-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
On this day: Dog health business recognised by Dragons' Den star
On this day in 2024, the East Anglian Daily Times reported that a Suffolk-based dog health business was recognised by a prominent entrepreneur. Born To Run, located in Thurston near Bury St Edmunds, provides pain management support for dogs suffering from mobility issues, including arthritis, through tailored massage and exercise programmes. Angela Day, the owner of the business, expressed her gratitude after winning a small business award from Dragons' Den star Theo Paphitis on February 12, 2024. The Small Business Sunday initiative, established by Mr Paphitis in 2010, aims to support local firms across the UK and has celebrated thousands of winners. Owner of the business Angela Day (Image: Angela Day) Ms Day said: "We never thought that we would stand out over the hundreds of incredible product-based businesses who took part. "We work very hard to make every client feel like the special dog owners they are." She added: "But to be chosen as a winner of Small Business Sunday and be mingling with CEOs of some of the best-known household brands is just incredible." The support from Mr Paphitis has been invaluable for Ms Day, who said: "It's fantastic to have support from Theo because as a small business it's difficult to be in enough places to raise your profile to the level that's needed to reach more dog owners, who may not even be aware of the help available for their dogs when they struggle with mobility and pain from conditions like arthritis. "Theo has recognised our hard work and helped spread the word about what we do. "I am beyond grateful." In addition to this accolade, Born To Run had also been announced as a finalist for the Animal Star Awards. Mr Paphitis said: "My vision is that everyone who has ever won an #SBS re-tweet from me becomes part of a friendly club of like-minded individuals who can share successes and learnings." [From the East Anglian Daily Times of March 8, 2024]
Yahoo
16-02-2025
- General
- Yahoo
National recognition for Bunny dumped in Chaddesley Corbett woods
FROM being found dumped in a woodland in the West Midlands to being taken in by an animal rescue in Surrey, one bunny who has captured the hearts of animal lovers across the country has been nominated for an award. Blessing became the face of a group of 100 bunnies who were found dumped in a woodland in Chaddesley Corbet last November and has now been nominated for Southern Rescue Animal of the Year 2025 in the Animal Star Awards. After initially being taken in by Lucky Bunny and Friends in Dudley, the story of Blessing and her fellow bunnies reached animal rescues from across England who stepped in to help do their part to support the neglected animals. Blessing will now stay at Hug a Bunny Hotel in Surrey to live out the rest of her life (Image: Karen Dandridge) Blessing was one of 14 bunnies taken in by Hug a Bunny Hotel in Camberley, Surrey, where she will now live out the rest of her life. Seven of the bunnies the rescue took in died. However, despite being in a 'bad way' after being rescued, Blessing gave birth to four healthy babies. Read more: How the surviving bunnies dumped in a Worcestershire woodland are doing now Karen Dandridge owns Hug a Bunny Hotel rescue and said she had no idea Blessing had been nominated for the award, but said it was 'nice for her to have a happy ending.' Despite Camberley being over 100 miles away from Chaddesley Corbett, to Karen, all that mattered was being able to help the animals in need. She said: 'To see them dumped there like trash, it was horrific. 'It is the furthest I've travelled to rescue any animal, but I just loaded up the car and told my husband I would be back for dinner.' Karen added: 'The support has been amazing and I'm so glad to see she has been nominated.' The winners will be announced at the Animal Star Awards ceremony set to take place later this year in May.
