Established by Burgess Excel in 2020, the awards recognise individuals and practices that demonstrate exceptional commitment to the treatment and welfare of small animals. Now in their sixth year, the awards continue to highlight the outstanding professionals driving forward standards of welfare and clinical practice in the sector.
Dr Suzanne Moyes, MVB, MRCVS, MBA, deputy managing director at Burgess Pet Care, said: “Every year, we see remarkable examples of skill, compassion, and innovation within the veterinary profession. The Excel Vet Awards were created to recognise that excellence and to support continued progress in small animal welfare. They’re also a valuable opportunity for the community to share best practice and inspire others to raise the bar even further.”
Anyone working within the veterinary or animal welfare sector, as well as members of the public, can nominate an individual. The awards also welcome self-nomination.
The 2025 categories are:
- Rabbit Vet of the Year
- Rabbit Vet Nurse of the Year
- Rabbit Support Staff of the Year
- Rabbit Practice of the Year
- Small Animal Student of the Year
- RAW (Rabbit Awareness Week) Campaign of the Year
- Guinea Pig Friendly Practice of the Year
- GPAW (Guinea Pig Awareness Week) Campaign of the Year
- NEW for 2025: Guinea Pig Vet of the Year
Nominations close on 28 November 2025, and the winners will be announced in early 2026, following review by a panel of respected veterinary professionals.
Returning judges include:
- Dr Suzanne Moyes, MVB, MRCVS, MBA, deputy managing director at Burgess Pet Care
- Dr John Chitty, BVetMed, CertZooMed, MRCVS, RCVS Advanced Practitioner in zoological medicine and trustee of Guinea Pig Welfare UK
- Mary Coles, PhD student with SAVSNET at the University of Liverpool and trustee of Guinea Pig Welfare UK
- Rae Walters, CEO of the Rabbit Welfare Association and Fund (RWAF) and trustee of Guinea Pig Welfare UK
They will be joined by new judges for 2025:
- Dr Sean Wensley, BVSc, MSc, FRCVS, honorary lecturer and senior vet for animal welfare and professional engagement in the charity sector
- Samantha Ryan, behaviour and training specialist in small animals at Woodgreen Pets Charity
- Lucy Edwards, curator at Northumberland Zoo
Dr John Chitty, returning judge and RCVS Advanced Practitioner in zoological medicine, commented: “What I find most rewarding about judging the Excel Vet Awards is seeing how colleagues across the sector are developing creative, evidence-based approaches to small animal care. Each year, the entries showcase a level of dedication and professionalism that truly pushes our field forward.”
The 2024 Excel Vet Awards recognised a range of talented professionals and practices from across the UK.
Winners included Catherine Thomas (Rabbit Vet of the Year), Josie Nott (Rabbit Vet Nurse of the Year), Watkins and Tasker Vets (Rabbit Practice of the Year) and HighCroft Exotic Vets (Guinea Pig Practice of the Year).
