Making their first official appearance in the UK since leaving Afghanistan, The Nowzad Charity and Pen Farthing took home the win in the team awards at the Naturo SuperDog Awards 2021.
The Nowzad Charity was founded in 2007 by former Royal Marine Pen Farthing. Operating in extremely dangerous conditions, Nowzad provides veterinary care to the stray dog and cat population in Kabul.
They have rehomed and reunited thousands of dogs with the military personnel the animals bonded with whilst on active duty in Afghanistan. The whole team at Nowzad have worked under intense conditions in Kabul in Afghanistan and are determined to help animals at risk in Afghanistan.
In August, when the Taliban gained control of Afghanistan, Pen and his animal rescue team in Kabul were trapped and scared for their lives. They were desperate to get out, but no person, dog or cat were to be left behind. Pen managed to board a plane leaving Kabul with 200 dogs and cats and his team followed behind at a later date.
On leaving Afghanistan, Pen Farthing commented: “The team never wanted to leave Afghanistan and sadly they were forced into that. But to be here now tonight, stood here and receiving an award – I don’t have words for it. I just remember those thousands of dogs that are in still in Afghanistan, and they need help. These cases are very normal, and I just remember all the dogs that we had to leave behind.”
Others honoured tonight include Mila Moo, who went from certain death five years ago to the Crufts carpet in both 2019 and 2020 and Henry the Hedgehog dog who works tirelessly with the British Hedgehog Preservation Society to sniff out hedgehogs and keep them safe.
TV presenter and media personality Stacey Dooley hosted the inaugural Naturo SuperDog Awards 2021 – a new annual awards ceremony, which celebrates and recognises the UK’s most exceptional dogs who help enrich our lives and the world we live in today.
Stars including TV presenter Matt Johnson, television and radio presenter Johnny Vaughan, Corrie favourite Lucy Fallon, Love Island Arabella Chi, Strictly Come Dancing pro Karen Hauer TV vets Dr Scott Miller, Dr James Greenwood and Rory the Vet, as well as radio DJ Aimee Vivian turned out to support the event.
For more information, please visit https://superdogawards.co.uk/
