February 10th, 2009
NJVMA Animal Welfare Award:
Karen Quigley and “Elwood”
- A puppy deemed by his breeder as too ugly to live and a woman whose compassion for animals seemingly knows no bounds make a formidable team campaigning for animal welfare. When Elwood, a Chinese Crested/Chihuahua mix won the World's Ugliest Dog contest, his owner, Karen Quigley, of Sewell, seized on his growing fame to bring attention to the alarming number of dogs euthanized in shelters each year, the need to spay and neuter pets and, perhaps most importantly, to teach children the importance of accepting others who are different from themselves. Along the way Karen and Elwood have raised thousands of dollars for animal welfare groups and for pets with disabilities. In the words of Elwood's nominating veterinarian, Philippe Coudrai of Winslow Animal Hospital, "Elwood's fame has been put to the best use by Karen to positively affect many people's lives, as well as saving many other pets from euthanasia.
In the photo: Karen, John, Dr. Coudrai and "Elwood:
