A DOG rescuer from Warwick will set tails wagging if she scoops a £25,000 prize for the rehoming centre she volunteers at.
Trisha Shaw has spent the last two years as a volunteer for Pawprints – a rescue centre which saves abandoned dogs from death row. She also works as the regional coordinator for DogLost, a charity reuniting dogs with their owners.
The 47-year-old from Warwick works day and night for free to look after dogs in need across the county.
And it is her tireless hard work which led Trisha to be nominated for a Britain Has Spirit Community Hero award, which recognises people who have had a positive local impact.
If the mum-of-three receives enough votes to get through to the national final and then goes on to win, she will scoop a £25,000 prize for Rugby-based Pawprints Dog Rescue. The charity say the money would be a huge help and enable them to care for even more dogs, as they are normally so full they are forced to pay for extra kennels.
Trisha was nominated by Alison Rowan, from Leamington, who follows her work on social media.
Alison said: “Trisha works tirelessly to raise funds for Pawprints and also works day and night helping local people who have lost their dogs by using social media, putting up posters and going out searching.
“She’s pulled together an amazing group of people who help search and support each other. None of this would have happened without her – she is never too tired or too busy to help out.”
Trisha – whose story first appeared in the Observer earlier this year – says she is delighted to have been nominated and hopes to win the prize and help the rescue centre she loves.
She told the Observer: “To be nominated is a real honour and something that I’m extremely grateful for.
“I wear my heart on my sleeve when it comes to dogs and will always try to help with lost dogs. But I also have a special love for those that have been abandoned by their owners, have not been claimed within seven days and are at risk of being put to sleep.
“They are so lovingly cared for by Pawprints, a small charity which is run entirely by volunteers and takes unclaimed strays from some local authority pounds. Every penny that they raise goes to caring for dogs.
“It would be so wonderful to receive enough votes to move forward to the National Final with a dream to win and give extra funding to Pawprints Dog Rescue. It is quite literally a life saving amount of money.”
