Tails of survival
Six pets with incredible stories of survival have been chosen as finalists for the PDSA Pet Survivor Awards 2013. Veterinary charity PDSA has been searching for animals who have beaten the odds and overcome serious illness and injury over the last year. The charity has been overwhelmed with amazing stories, but a panel of judges, including Atomic Kitten Liz McClarnon and TV vet Steve Leonard, had the task of selecting six finalists.
Steve Leonard said “Reading these stories made me very proud of my profession and grateful to work alongside some dedicated animal enthusiasts. Animals so often surprise us with their stoicism and tenacity, and there are so many lessons we could learn from them.”
A stray kitten called Robbie is among the finalists. He made a full recovery after suffering extensive burns when the sofa he was sheltering under was set alight. Appeals in local media funded over £10,000 worth of treatment at Broadway Vets in Herne Bay.
A Blue Merle Border Collie called Pip is also a finalist. Pip made an incredible recovery after being horrifically crushed when she fell asleep in the shade under a tractor wheel, which then moved forwards.
Others shortlisted include a Saluki/Lurcher cross who survived on the Yorkshire Dales for over 3 weeks with a broken leg and no food or water, a Border Collie who was hit by a train, a rabbit who survived a fox attack and a Bengal cat who was found collapsed after she was missing for five weeks in this year's February frosts.
The winner will be decided by public vote. To vote, text ‘vote’ followed by the chosen pet's name to 70099. Each text will result in a £1 donation to PDSA, plus the cost of your usual network message rate. Voting is open until the midnight on the 15th December, and the winner will be announced on the 22nd December.
For more information on the PDSA Pet Survivor Awards 2013 and the six finalists click here.
Image: Border Collie Pip will soon be starting sheepdog training. Inset, just after the operation to fix her pelvis. Courtesy of PDSA.
Veterinary practices are being urged to help owners safely dispose of any unused and expired pet medicines - not just antibiotics - during November's Animal Medicines Amnesty. 
