Pet Philanthropy Circle Names 2015 Pet Hero Award Winners

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The Pet Philanthropy Circle has announced the 2015 Pet Hero Award winners ahead of its fourth annual ceremony to be held at the Manhattan Penthouse on October 30.

The award program showcases people, organizations, and pets that serve to inspire others to volunteer and donate to animal welfare causes.

The Lifetime Achievement Award will be presented to Dr. Neal Barnard, who has spent the past 30 years working to replace animal testing and experimentation. In 1985 he founded the Physicians Committee for Responsible Medicine.

Humanitarian of the Year will go to Kristy Hinze-Clark and her husband, founder of Netscape Jim Clark, who have worked to defend both animal and aquatic life by promoting animal welfare globally.

The Mayor’s Alliance of NYC will be honored with the 2015 Outstanding Rescue Organization Award.  Their efforts have saved over 250,000 animals and their van has transported more than 85,000 adoptable pets to homes in NYC neighborhoods.

The 2015 Animal Advocate Award will be given to Candy Udell, founder of the Rescue Paw Foundation and president of London Jewelers. Udell supports numerous local and national organizations who rescue hundreds of animals each year.

This year’s Animal Health award will go to the Animal Cancer Foundation, a leading philanthropic organization committed to funding and accelerating comparative oncology research.

St. Francis Farm, established by founder Whitney Knowlton of Last Chance Animal Rescue, will receive the Outstanding Sanctuary Award. This sanctuary provides permanent and temporary care for special needs and senior animals.

The Veterinarian of the Year Award will be presented to Dr. Marty Goldstein, a nationally recognized proponent of alternative cures for animals.

Found Animals Foundation will receive the Foundation of the Year. Initiated in 2005 by Dr. Gary Michelson, the foundation provides funding for the research of nonsurgical sterilization technology, low-cost spay and neuter initiative and finding homes for over 15,000 shelter animals.

This year’s Outstanding Pet Award honors Brock, a Doberman Pinscher who inspired the formation of Pilots N Paws.