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Mission to find the best pets and vets in Aotearoa
Southern Cross Pet Insurance has launched The Pawsies, awards open to anyone who thinks they might have the best dog or cat or vet clinic team in the country.
Working with TBWA\New Zealand, MBM and Breakout Room, the campaigns asks Kiwis to nominate their pets for Dog and Cat of the Year, and to share the tales of excellence of the unsung heroes who look after them at vet clinics.
“Our dogs and cats bring us so much joy, so it’s time we had a way to truly celebrate the gift they give us,” says Melodie Vickars, CMO of SCPI and proud mum to a very spoiled cat.
“We’ve launched The Southern Cross Pet Insurance Pawsies to help showcase New Zealand’s finest felines and precious pups, and to find the vet clinic team which is doing everything it takes to help our pets live their best lives.”
Multi-media campaign
The Pawsies are supported by a multi-media campaign including radio, digital, OOO and sponsored content – all designed to bring Kiwi pet owners out in numbers to show off every proud puss and devoted dawg.
“We’re looking for the most characterful dog and cat in Aotearoa. Personality will be key to our winners’ success, so make sure when you nominate your ngeru/cat or kurī/dog, that you choose a picture and craft a description which best captures their special personality,” says Vickars.
“When it comes to nominations for the outstanding veterinary clinic team award, we want to hear about how they have helped your pet live its best pet life – we’re their biggest fans, now we want to hear their stories and celebrate their mahi.”
Winning prizes
The winners of Dog of the Year and Cat of the Year for 2025 will each get a swag of prizes including a Pickle’s Pawtrait, a $500 pet store voucher, 1 on 1 virtual training with Mark Vette, the opportunity to be world famous in Aotearoa thanks to a billboard display and, of course, a Pawsies trophy – made right here in Aotearoa.
Likewise, the winning vet clinic team will get a ‘kit out your kitchen’ pack for their lunchroom, special award pins and their very own Pawsies trophy to display in their practice rooms.
“Kate Winslet may keep her Oscar in her downstairs loo, but we reckon The Pawsies trophy will take a rather more salubrious pride of place in three lucky locations for best dog, best cat and best vet team,” says Vickars.
