North Devon Veterinary Nurse Crowned Champion in National Burgess Excel Vet Awards 2023

The Burgess Excel Vet Awards, which celebrate the dedication and hard work of veterinary practices and individuals who improve the lives of domestic rabbits and guinea pigs in the UK, has named Michelle Taylor of Market Vets in North Devon as the winner of this year’s award for Rabbit Vet Nurse of the Year.

Following hundreds of applications and nominations for this year’s awards, a judging panel of industry experts, veterinary professionals and rabbit specialists chose Michelle as the winner and recipient of a cash prize of £250, along with a Burgess Excel Vet Awards trophy.

Award winners were judged on a range of criteria for each category including evidence of exceptional knowledge of rabbit and guinea pig care and husbandry; outstanding care and attention to the needs of owners and their pets; and going above and beyond to improve the lives of rabbits and guinea pigs.

Dr Suzanne Moyes, Deputy Managing Director and Veterinary Director at Burgess Pet Care, organisers of the awards, said: - “On behalf of the judging panel, I would like to offer our huge congratulations to Michelle, who is a worthy winner of her category. The award reflects her hard work and determination to provide the very best of care for rabbits, not to mention her passion and knowledge to improve rabbits’ wellbeing.

“Now in their fourth year, this year’s awards saw the highest ever number of entries and once again, the quality was outstanding. Our winners and finalists should be incredibly proud not only of their achievement, but also of their commitment to going the extra mile to look after the wonderful creatures in their care.”

Vet Awards winner Michelle Taylor added: - “'I am honoured to be awarded Rabbit Vet Nurse of the Year 2023. From spearheading rabbit welfare clinics, to advocating for improved understanding of rabbit health, welfare and nursing, this mission naturally came with its difficulties and challenges. Delivering gold standard rabbit care has always been a passion, pushing boundaries for excellence.

“Founding North Devon Rabbit Rescue in recent years was a big ‘hop’ towards spreading awareness, educating and making a difference. This year, I was privileged to speak at the National Rabbit Festival, allowing me to highlight the importance of rabbit-friendly practice and what this really means for rabbit guardians. This award is not just personal: it's a celebration of shared commitment to elevating rabbit care standards.”

The judging panel for the Burgess Excel Vet Awards 2023 comprised:

Dr Suzanne Moyes MVB, MRCVS, Deputy Managing Director and Veterinary Director at Burgess Pet Care;
Rae Walters, Director of the Rabbit Welfare Association & Fund (RWAF), the UK’s largest rabbit welfare charity;
Dr John Chitty BVetMed CertZooMed MRCVS, Co-Director of a small animals/ exotics practice in Andover and outgoing president of the British Small Animal Veterinary Association 2017-2018;
Dr Sophie Jenkins, BVetMed PgCEAS GPExAP MRCVS RCVS, Advanced Practitioner in Zoological Medicine, Founder of Origins Vets, Cardiff; and,
Dani Sewell MICPR, Communications Director at Fred Marketing, a full-service marketing agency specialising in the pet / animal welfare sector and delivering strategic communications for the Rabbit Awareness Action Group, Rabbit Awareness Week and Guinea Pig Awareness Week.

Future announcements about the Burgess Excel Vet Awards 2024, including information on how to nominate and apply, will be announced on the Burgess Pet Care website https://www.burgesspetcare.com/burgess-excel-vet-awards/