West Place Animal Sanctuary is a National Finalist in Service Awards Competition

September 26, 2024

Ryan Belmore

What's Up Newp

West Place Animal Sanctuary in Tiverton needs public votes to win the 2024 Defender Service Award

For the third time in four years, West Place Animal Sanctuary is a finalist for a national service award. The Defender Service Awards presented by CHASE recognize outstanding nonprofit organizations that go above and beyond to impact their communities. As a former finalist in the Animal Welfare category, West Place has been given another opportunity to compete in the Defender Service Honorees category. The winner will be determined by daily public voting from October 2 through October 17, 2024.

Since 2007, West Place Animal Sanctuary has cultivated a compassionate community in Rhode Island and the "farm coast" of New England through rescue, rehabilitation, and responsible care of farm animals and wildlife. The Defender Service Awards represent an opportunity for West Place (the only nonprofit finalist from Rhode Island) to receive national recognition for its lifesaving work, further its mission, and save more lives.

West Place is seeking help from animal lovers, Land Rover enthusiasts, and all Rhode Islanders and New Englanders. Voting daily for West Place is a quick, easy, and free way to support Rhode Island's oldest and largest sanctuary for farm animals rescued from abuse, neglect and cruelty situations. Members of the public may vote once per day per email address at www.westplace.org/defender beginning Wednesday, October 2 through Thursday, October 17.

Sam Allen, Defender U.S. Brand Director, said, "Each year we are incredibly inspired by the video submissions for the Defender Service Awards from organizations throughout North America and their tireless acts of service for their communities. This initiative is a reflection on the Defender brand’s commitment to supporting and furthering humanitarian efforts across the globe."

The grand prize of a fully-customized Defender 130 vehicle to address the nonprofit’s needs is certainly a difference maker, but according to West Place Animal Sanctuary's founder and executive director, Wendy Taylor, there is much more at stake. "Winning the 2024 Defender Service Award would shine a national spotlight on farm animals, an overlooked and underrepresented animal population." Taylor continues, "West Place is representing the smallest state in the union in this national competition, but we know Rhode Islanders are proud and passionate about animal welfare. Your daily votes, and sharing this competition far and wide, will propel us to the top and allow West Place to continue growing, expanding, and giving more farm animals the second chances they deserve. It's a two-week sprint to the finish, and we truly cannot do it without you!"