Croydon (Parliament Politics Magazine) – Croydon Council’s dog warden, Tara Boswell, has been honoured with the RSPCA’s PawPrints award for the seventh consecutive year, recognising her dedication.
Tara received the Responsible Ownership Hero award for her efforts to improve and promote animal welfare in the borough of Croydon, as well as for her assistance to stray dogs in the area.
For unclaimed stray dogs, the Council’s dog warden assists in finding rescue locations and finding them new homes.
Through programs like free microchipping, the agency also helps Croydon residents promote safe dog ownership.
Tara, said:
“I’m absolutely delighted that I’ve been recognised in the RSPCA PawPrints awards for the seventh year running! Working in animal welfare can be incredibly challenging, but every single stray dog I’m able to help makes it worthwhile.
I absolutely love my job, but it can be really difficult dealing with cases of neglect and cruelty or seeing dogs that aren’t claimed or rehomed as quickly as we’d like.
To have my work recognised by the RSPCA is an honour, and I’m grateful for the support of everyone who champions responsible ownership and does their bit to give stray dogs the second chances they deserve.”
Jason Perry, Executive Mayor of Croydon said:
“I am always very proud when I hear our officers getting national recognition for the work they do for the Council.
Tara is a serial winner, and this highlights the great people we have working at Croydon. She does a great job in helping dogs get second chances and owners be the best for their four-legged friends.”
What criteria does the RSPCA use for PawPrints awards?
Awards are available in five core categories—Stray Dog Services, Animal Activity Licensing, Housing and Animal Welfare, Contingency Planning, and Kennelling. There are also Hero Categories which address emergent and pressing issues such as animal hoarding, fireworks and animals, mental health and animal welfare, and community outreach. However, there are also special awards that recognize special contributions such as innovation and partnerships.
Entries can gain a Bronze, Silver and Gold status, which represents the journey from meeting statutory minimum requirements to providing best practice and innovative practice.
If an agency receives the Gold for five consecutive years, it earns the esteemed Platinum PawPrints Award. Other new levels such as Gold Plus and Platinum Plus are also available to recognize excellence across categories.