Kennel Club scientists honoured by pet charity

The annual Blue Cross Welfare Award has been presented to Dr Jeff Sampson BSc.Dphil, head of the Kennel Club’s Health and Information department.

Dr Sampson was chosen by the pet charity to receive the award in recognition of his work improving the health and well being of future generations of dogs. Thanks to Dr Sampson’s work, many inherited diseases in dogs - which were life threatening only decades ago - can now be controlled.

Mr Bill King, a Governor of The Blue Cross, presented the award during the Petplan Award ceremony at the British Small Animal Veterinary Association Congress last night.

Bill King said: “Over a long and dedicated career, Dr Sampson has made a valuable contribution to the understanding and control of inherited diseases in dogs. His work has done much to raise the profile of canine genetics and has helped to improve health of dogs across the country.”

A keen dog owner, Dr Sampson kept Schipperkes, a small Belgian breed, for many years.

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Notes to editors

Photos of the awards ceremony are available on request.

The Blue Cross is Britain's pet charity, providing practical support, information and advice for pet and horse owners. Through its network of animal adoption centres it rehomes thousands of animals each year. Its hospitals provide veterinary care for the pets of people who cannot afford private vets' fees.

The Kennel Club is the governing body of dogs and its main objectives are the general improvement of dogs and the encouragement of responsible dog ownership. The Kennel Club achieves its aims through the registration of dogs and many different schemes including dog training (Good Citizen), safety of children around dogs (Safe & Sound) and breeder accreditation (Accredited Breeder). It also co-ordinates the Kennel Club Charitable Trust which has donated over £2.5 million to the health and welfare of dogs since its inception in 1987.