Celebrating Compassion: The Gillies Foundation at the Animal Justice Foundation Awards
In February, I had the pleasure of travelling to Sydney to represent The Gillies Foundation at the fifth annual Animal Justice Awards, where I presented The Gillies Foundation Award for Exemplary Commitment to Companion Animal Rescue.
First introduced in 2025, this award was created to recognise an Australian rescue group that has gone above and beyond to protect vulnerable companion animals in our communities. The inaugural award was presented to Forever Friends, celebrating their outstanding dedication and commitment to animal welfare.
The 2026 award was accompanied by a $10,000 grant, providing valuable support to the recipient organisation as they continue their vital work caring for animals in need.
This year, we received 29 inspiring nominations from across Australia, showcasing the incredible passion, dedication and compassion that exists within the animal rescue community. The judging panel had the difficult task of selecting four outstanding finalists:
- Jennifer Howard — Safe Pets Safe Families
- Sonya Little — Lincoln Park Horse and Human Rehabilitation Centre
- Julie O’Shea — Who Gives a Cluck Inc.
- Chelsea Watts — Squishies Flat Faced Animal Rescue
Each finalist demonstrated an extraordinary commitment to improving the lives of vulnerable animals and represented the very best of Australia’s rescue community.
Congratulations to Chelsea Watts and Squishies Flat Faced Animal Rescue, who were announced as the recipients of the 2026 Gillies Foundation Award for Exemplary Commitment to Companion Animal Rescue. Their dedication to providing care, rehabilitation and advocacy for flat-faced companion animals truly embodies the spirit of this award.
It was a privilege to attend the Animal Justice Foundation Awards and celebrate the incredible individuals and organisations working tirelessly behind the scenes to give companion animals the care, protection and second chances they deserve.
Nominations for the 2027 ANIMAL JUSTICE AWARDS are now open and close midnight, 31 August 2026 https://www.animaljusticefoundation.org/awards/
