4th Annual Dog Owners Choice Awards

[Steve]

Troy - Dogzonline has decided to stay on board with us as our principal sponsor and Judi from PRO K9 has also signed up as a general sponsor for the 4th Annual Awards again too. The presentation evening is being held in Melbourne in March Next Year around the 20th but we have to confirm exact dates yet depending on the venue selected.

Its now very obvious that the awards have taken on a life of their own and we've learned a lot as we have moved through the growing process.

Several thing's have changed a little this year.

We have more categories and the judging will be tweaked a little to try to eliminate the advantages received if someone is better able to write a nomination than someone else who is nominating.

The sponsor and advertising options have also been updated and some of the previous systems have been revamped to allow businesses to have more opportunities to take advantage of the marketing and branding possibilities.

Based on what is already coming together for the next awards evening its going to be even bigger and better than any of us ever guessed it would be when we decided to give it a go.

Quite a large part of the preliminary promotions for the awards in March next year will be a week long celebration of responsible pet ownership.The awards evening will be the finishing touch - the climax to this week of celebration.

This will cover all of Australia and give every single person the opportunity to be involved and have a bit of fun with us as we place a focus on all the great pet owners of Australia and what they are doing to make a difference to the animals they live with and love. This week isnt just about dogs but also any pets and its shaping up to be a lot of fun. Proceeds from this week long list of activities will go to MDBA Pacers and other rescue groups will have the opportunity to apply for some as well.

Obviously this is all going to take a lot to pull together and make the most of the chance to place focus on the positive things that happen in our day to day lives to ensure our dogs and other pets have quality lives

- to use this to promote responsible pet ownership and to say thank you to those who are doing it right so we are going to need all the help and support you guys are able to give.

The new categories are

1. Master Breeder of the Year: To be eligible for nomination for this category, the nominee must be a financial member of the MDBA and be nominated by a puppy buyer. This award is not about the success of the breeder's dogs in dog related events or the amount of litters they breed. This is about standards of service, support and ethics provided to their puppy buyers.
   
2. Master Responsible Pet Owner of the Year: To be eligible to be nominated in this category, the nominee must be a financial member of the MDBA.
   
3. Master Puppy Buyer of the Year: Must be nominated by the person who bred their dog and that person must be an MDBA breeder member.
   
4. Master Rescuer of the Year: Must be nominated by someone who has adopted one of their dogs, or by someone who is a foster carer attached to them. This award is not about how many dogs they have rescued but about their standards of service, support and ethics to their clients and foster carers. Open to Australian residents.
   
5. Breeder of the Year: Must be a registered breeder with a certified canine registry and be nominated by a puppy buyer. The nomination is not about the success of the breeder's dogs, or how many they breed. This is about service, standards and ethics provided to their puppy buyers.
   
6. Responsible Pet Owner of the Year: Must be an Australian Resident.
   
7. Best Canine Rescuer of the Year: Must be nominated by someone who has one of their dogs or by someone who is a foster carer attached to the group. Open to Australian residents and this is about service, standards and ethics they have shown to their clients and foster carers.
   
8. Best Canine Foster Carer of the Year: To be eligible for nomination for this category the nominee must be nominated by a rescue group/service. This award is not about how many dogs a foster carer has fostered but about their standards of service and dedication. Open to Australian residents.
   
9. Pet Sitter / Walker of the Year: To be eligible to be nominated for this category, the nominee must be nominated by a client for excellence in standards of service. Open to Australian residents.
   
10. Most Supportive Vet of the Year: To be eligible for nomination in this category the nominee must be nominated by a client. Open to Australian residents.
    
11. Best Canine Groomer of the Year: Must be nominated by a client. This award is about standards in service. Open to Australian residents.
    
12. Best Dog Trainer of the Year: Must be nominated by a client. This award is not about awards dogs that have been trained by the nominee have achieved but about the trainer's dedication and standards in service. Open to Australian residents.
    
13. Best MDBA Student of the Year: Must be a Current student of the Master Dog Breeders Academy and nominated by a faculty member of the MDBA.
    
14. Best Dog Related Website of the Year: Must be nominated by an Australian resident.
    
15. Excellence in Contribution and/or Leadership in Canine Affairs: Must be located in Australia.
    
16. Boarding Kennel of the Year: Must be nominated by a client. Must be located in Australia.
    
17. Pet Transport Service of the Year: Must be nominated by a client and branches or based in Australia.
    
18. Best Vet Nurse of the Year: Must be located in Australia and nominated by a client or a vet.
    
19. Best Vet Surgery / Clinic of the Year: Must be located in Australia.
    
20. Best Dog Supply Retail Outlet: Must be nominated by a client or customer .Must be located in Australia. (Must not sell live animals)
    
21. Best Dog Photographer / Artist: Must be nominated by a client or customer. Must be based in Australia.
    
22. Best Dog Insurance Provider of the Year: Must be nominated by a client or customer. Must be based in Australia.
    
23. Best Dog Friendly Tourist destination: Must be nominated by a dog owner who is a client /visitor. Must be located in Australia.
    
24. Best Dog Related Publication of the Year
    
25. Best Dog Related Product of the Year
    
26. Best Canine Specialist Service Provider of the Year: Must trade in Australia.
    
27. MDBA Pacers award for outstanding service:
    
28. Best Dog Related Service Provider of the Year: Must be nominated by a client or customer. Must be based in Australia.
    
29. Best Contribution to Canine Science and or Research: Must be based in Australia.
    
30. Best Youth Participation in Canine Affairs: Must be aged between 14 - 18 years old as of 01/01/2010. Must be an Australian resident.
    
31. Best Junior in Canine Helpfulness or Kindness: Must be aged between 8 - 14 years old as of 01/01/2010. Must be an Australian resident.