Laois SPCA and two of their adorable rescues have been nominated for fantastic awards, with voting now open to the public.

The Petmania Ruby Heart is a mark of recognition and achievement to celebrate the remarkable impacts pets have on their owners and communities.

There are categories to suit all types of pets, plus additional categories to reward pet-friendly businesses, workplaces and rescue centre activities. Each category has their own unique prizes.

Two Laois pups in the care of Laois SPCA have been nominated for these awards.

In the 'Golden Oldie' category, 'Junior Bestboy' is a contender. 

Junior is in the care of the Laois SPCA as his owner passed away earlier this year while on a trip to Poland.

Junior was being fed by a neighbour while his owner was away and there was no one to take him.

Laois SPCA were delighted to take him in, mind him, get him back into good condition and help him find the fabulous forever home he deserves. He came into care with his sister, but unfortunately his sister was so unwell she made her way over the rainbow bridge, leaving Junior all alone.

"Poor Junior had a few medical issues that hadn't been addressed before he came into care," Laois SPCA explained.

"Like us all, the medications start to stack up as the number of candles on the birthday cake increase. He is on medication for his thyroid and ventolin for his chest and he has a touch of dementia," they said.

"Despite all that He’s a super little dog, can be a little timid until he gets used to you, and even though he is 10 years old he’s an active little boy, loves his walks, cuddles, belly rubs and playing fetch with his toys. Himself and his foster sister love hanging out in the garden together."

Vote for Junior here.

Nominated for the 'Bravest Pet' award is 'Buster Bestboy'.

Buster went into the care of Laois SPCA in late 2023 when his owner passed away. Buster was alone with his owner for 10 days in the house before anyone discovered them. He stayed with his human, loyal to the end.

"Unfortunately, when he arrived in Laois SPCA it was just when the media was starting to pick up on the impending XL bully ban and although he is not an XL bully, he is a bull dog type and extra chunky (not extra muscly like the XLs. More Dad bod that gym bod)," Laois SPCA explained.

"Buster was in care for a long time due to his age and the fear building in the public around the XL bully type of dog.

He was very attached to his original owner but moved into care without any drama and adjusted to the foster life easily. He had a few foster homes while with Laois SPCA as he was so long waiting for the forever home he deserved," they said.

"He had a failed adoption due to the human not taking the time to introduce him properly to the resident dog so when he came back into care and we took him as a foster.

"I couldn't bear to see him go through anymore disruption so we adopted him and he is now part of our family. He is the sweetest, best behaved most easy going dog you could ever come across even though he had such turmoil in his senior years.

Buster is a hero!" Laois SPCA praised.

Vote for Buster here.

Laois SPCA have been nominated for the 'Rescue Activity' award, following their 'crazy chase' of a hound across the county.

The 'laps of Laois' hound, aptly named Chase, travelled near and far across the county avoiding animal rescuers.

A WhatsApp groupchat was created, with sightings of Chase across Laois regularly posted.

"This poor dog had literally been doing laps around Laois since early November and he was covering 20km an upwards each day," Laois SPCA said.

"We had reported sightings in Attanagh, Cullohill, Ballinakill, Ballyroan, Fairgreen Portlaoise, Ballyfin, Stradbally and it became clear that he was spending a lot of time between Mountrath, Castletown, Aghaboe, Shanahoe and Durrow in February."

Thanks to dozens of volunteers, Chase was eventually trapped and rescued, and adopted by Laois SPCA team member Elaine.

Chase is now thriving in his new home, and is one of many success stories from Laois SPCA.

To vote for Laois SPCA, click here.

Voting closes at 11:59pm on Thursday 29th May 2025.

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