Border Collie Mae crowned Wales’ most loyal pet

Blue Cross has crowned Border Collie Mae from Brecon as Wales’ Most Loyal Pet as part of a competition to raise awareness of the mental health and wellbeing benefits of pet ownership. Mae has supported her owner Helen Jones through a very difficult time, a year in which her mother passed away, and her father diagnosed with cancer. 

Responding to the news of Mae’s win, owner Helen Jones from Brecon said:

“I was overwhelmed on hearing the news that Mae has been crowned Wales’ most Loyal Pet. Whilst I rescued Mae many years ago, it is in fact she that has rescued me by providing continued love and support in these most difficult of times. This year has been tough for everyone, and despite the challenges I face, I feel fortunate to have Mae by my side, it has been enormously comforting as I live on my own and haven’t been able to get the support from my friends due to the Covid restrictions.”

Blue Cross Head of Public Affairs Becky Thwaites added: 

“We were all moved by Mae and Helen’s story and we’re delighted to crown her Wales’ most loyal pet. We know the mental health and wellbeing benefits of pet ownership and I am pleased that we’re able to celebrate how pets have helped people and communities cope with the Covid-19 restrictions throughout the past year. 

The competition is part of an ongoing campaign by Blue Cross to highlight the benefits of animal ownership and pet therapy in our NHS more widely. Mae’s story reinforces the need for us to consider how we can use pets and pet ownership to help improve the nations mental health and wellbeing, which is especially important given the far-reaching impact of Covid-19 and the restrictions in place.”

We teamed up with politicians across Wales to find Wales’ most loyal pet. The competition looked to find the pet who had supported their owner or someone that they know throughout the coronavirus pandemic, providing mental health and wellbeing support during these difficult times. 

With research showing the positive impact between pet ownership and improved mental health, the competition celebrates pets who have been a positive influence on the mental health of its owners or wider community during the pandemic.

What you will win

Entries were considered by a panel, including International Rugby referee Nigel Owens MBE and ITV Wales’ Weather presenter Kelsey Redmore. The winner will receive a six month subscription to Love Louie’s personalised pet boxes and vouchers.

“The last 12 months have been a difficult for us all, and we know pets have helped so many with their mental health and wellbeing. As a pet owner, I know at first-hand of so many individuals who have found much needed companionship and support from their pets. 

I’m looking forward to working with Blue Cross in finding Wales’ Covid hero – our most loyal pet! This competition presents an excellent opportunity to recognise and applaud our pets for the positivity and happiness they bring into our lives.”

International Rugby referee Nigel Owens MBE

“As a pet lover I’m pleased to be supporting Blue Cross in trying to find Wales’ most loyal pet. I know of so many individuals who have found much needed companionship and support from their pets in this most difficult year. They have been a lifeline for many, and we look forward celebrating the benefits of pet ownership in this special way.”

Kelsey Redmore, ITV Wales Weather Presenter

How to enter

This competition has now closed and the winner has been announced.

If you think you know a pet who deserves to win Wales’ most loyal pet for their companionship and loyalty over these difficult months, please send an entry using the form below with a photo of the pet and no more than 500 word summary of how the pet has provided support to your local Senedd Member or Member of Parliament by the 25 January 2021. 

• Find your constituency and regional MS in Wales. 
• Find your MP.

Download an entry form

Finalists will be announced on the 15 February 2021 with the Wales’ most loyal pet crowned on the 19 February 2021. 

For more information, please contact [email protected]

Good luck!

Terms and conditions

1. The nominee must be a domesticated companion animal. 
2. The person submitting the nomination does not have to be the pet owner, but if they are not the owner, then they would need to present evidence to show that they have the permission of the pet owner. 
3. Submissions of companion animals that have helped to support the local community during this challenging year are also welcomed.
4. If you are under 16, then you would need permission from a parent or guardian to take part.
5. The nomination should include no more than 500 words on why your pet should be crowned Wales’ most loyal pet. Many people will have sought comfort and distraction from the coronavirus pandemic from their companion animals, and we are looking for those animals who have helped to support an individual or group’s wellbeing or mental health in particular during this challenging year. You can submit a photograph of your pet with your submission if you wish.
6. The winner will be the pet who will be judged to have made the most impact on mental health and wellbeing over the last 12 months.
7. The judges’ decision will be final, and we will not enter into any correspondence concerning the final decision or the way the competition is organised.
8. The deadline for submission to your MS, and MP is 25 January 2021.
9. Your MP or MS will have until 1 February to submit two nominations from their constituency or region to the national judging panel.
10. The finalists will be announced on 15 of February, and the winner on 19 February.
11. All entrants agree to take part in media activity to advertise the competition and to raise awareness of the benefits pet ownership.
12. By entering the competition, the entrants agree that Blue Cross can use their submission and photographs submitted in press and marketing activity, including in media coverage surrounding the competition. 

Rydym yn cydweithio â gwleidyddion ledled Cymru i ddod o hyd i anifail anwes mwyaf ffyddlon Cymru. Mae'r gystadleuaeth yn chwilio am yr anifail anwes sydd wedi cefnogi ei berchennog neu rywun y maen nhw'n ei adnabod trwy gydol y pandemig coronafirws, gan ddarparu cefnogaeth iechyd meddwl a lles yn ystod yr amseroedd anodd hyn.

Gydag ymchwil yn dangos yr effaith gadarnhaol rhwng perchnogaeth anifeiliaid anwes a gwell iechyd meddwl, bydd y gystadleuaeth yn dathlu anifeiliaid anwes sydd wedi bod yn ddylanwad cadarnhaol ar iechyd meddwl ei berchnogion neu'r gymuned ehangach yn ystod y pandemig.

Beth fyddwch chi'n ei ennill

Bydd ceisiadau’n cael eu hystyried gan banel, gan gynnwys y dyfarnwr Rygbi Rhyngwladol Nigel Owens MBE a chyflwynydd Tywydd ITV Cymru ’Kelsey Redmore. Bydd yr enillydd yn derbyn tanysgrifiad chwe mis i flychau a thalebau anifeiliaid anwes Love Louie.

“Mae'r 12 mis diwethaf wedi bod yn anodd i ni i gyd, ac rydyn ni'n gwybod bod anifeiliaid anwes wedi helpu cymaint â'u hiechyd meddwl a'u lles. Fel perchennog anifail anwes, gwn o brofiad y cynifer o unigolion sydd wedi dod o hyd i gwmnïaeth a chefnogaeth gan eu hanifeiliaid anwes.

Rwy’n edrych ymlaen at weithio gyda Blue Cross i ddod o hyd i arwr Covid Cymru – yr anifail anwes mwyaf ffyddlon! Mae'r gystadleuaeth hon yn gyfle gwych i gydnabod a chymeradwyo ein hanifeiliaid anwes am y positifrwydd a'r hapusrwydd y maen nhw'n ei gyfrannu i'n bywydau.”

Y dyfarnwr Rygbi Rhyngwladol, Nigel Owens MBE

“Fel rhywun sy’n caru anifail anwes rwy’n falch o fod yn cefnogi Blue Cross wrth geisio dod o hyd i anifail anwes mwyaf ffyddlon Cymru. Gwn am gynifer o unigolion sydd wedi dod o hyd i gwmnïaeth a chefnogaeth gan eu hanifeiliaid anwes yn y flwyddyn anodd hon. Maen nhw wedi bod yn achubiaeth i lawer, ac rydyn ni'n edrych ymlaen at ddathlu buddion perchnogaeth anifeiliaid anwes yn y ffordd arbennig hon.”

Kelsey Redmore, Cyflwynydd Tywydd ITV Cymru

Sut i gystadlu

Mae’r gystadleuaeth bellach wedi cau. Byddwn yn cyhoeddi'r enillydd yn fuan.

Os ydych chi'n meddwl eich bod chi'n adnabod anifail anwes sy'n haeddu ennill anifail anwes mwyaf ffyddlon Cymru am ei gwmnïaeth a'i deyrngarwch dros y misoedd anodd hyn, anfonwch eich enwebiad gan ddefnyddio'r ffurflen isod gyda llun o'r anifail anwes a chrynodeb dim mwy na 500 gair o sut mae'r mae anifail anwes wedi darparu cefnogaeth. Gyrrwch yr enwebiad at eich  Aelod o’r Senedd neu Aelod Seneddol lleol erbyn 25ain o Ionawr 2021.

• Dewch o hyd i'ch AS etholaethol a rhanbarthol yng Nghymru.
• Dewch o hyd i'ch Aelod Seneddol.

Lawrlwythwch ffurflen gais

Cyhoeddir y rhestr fer ar gyfer y rownd derfynol ar 15fed o Chwefror 2021 gyda anifail anwes mwyaf ffyddlon Cymru yn cael ei goroni ar 19eg o Chwefror 2021.

Am ragor o wybodaeth, cysylltwch â [email protected]

Pob lwc!

Telerau ac Amodau

1. Rhaid i'r enwebai fod yn anifail anwes.
2. Nid oes rhaid i'r person sy'n cyflwyno'r enwebiad fod yn berchennog yr anifail anwes, ond os nad nhw yw'r perchennog, yna byddai angen iddo gyflwyno tystiolaeth i ddangos bod ganddo ganiatâd perchennog yr anifail anwes.
3. Mae croeso hefyd i anifeiliaid anwes sydd wedi helpu i gefnogi'r gymuned leol yn ystod y flwyddyn heriol hon.
4. Os ydych chi o dan 16 oed, yna bydd angen caniatâd arnoch chi gan riant neu warcheidwad i gymryd rhan.
5. Ni ddylai’r enwebiad gynnwys dim mwy na 500 gair ar pam y dylid coroni eich anifail anwes yn anifail anwes mwyaf ffyddlon Cymru. Bydd llawer o bobl wedi dod o hyd i gysur gan eu hanifeiliaid anwes, ac rydym yn chwilio am yr anifeiliaid hynny sydd wedi helpu i gefnogi lles neu iechyd meddwl unigolyn neu grŵp yn benodol yn ystod y flwyddyn heriol hon. Gallwch gyflwyno llun o'ch anifail anwes gyda'ch cyflwyniad os y dymunwch.
6. Yr enillydd fydd yr anifail anwes y bernir ei fod wedi cael yr effaith fwyaf ar iechyd a lles meddwl dros y 12 mis diwethaf.
7. Bydd penderfyniad y beirniaid yn derfynol, ac ni fyddwn yn ymrwymo i unrhyw ohebiaeth ynghylch y penderfyniad terfynol na'r ffordd y trefnir y gystadleuaeth.
8. Y dyddiad cau ar gyfer cyflwyno i'ch Aelod o’r Senedd neu Aelod Seneddol yw 25 Ionawr 2021.
9. Bydd gan eich AS tan 1 Chwefror i gyflwyno dau enwebiad o'u hetholaeth neu ranbarth i'r panel beirniadu cenedlaethol.
10. Cyhoeddir y rhai sy'n cyrraedd y rownd derfynol ar 15 Chwefror, a'r enillydd ar 19 Chwefror.
11. Mae pob ymgeisydd yn cytuno i gymryd rhan mewn gweithgaredd cyfryngau i hysbysebu'r gystadleuaeth ac i godi ymwybyddiaeth o fuddion perchnogaeth anifeiliaid anwes.
12. Trwy gymryd rhan yn y gystadleuaeth, mae'r cystadleuwyr yn cytuno y gall Blue Cross ddefnyddio eu cais a’r lluniau a gyflwynwyd yng ngweithgaredd y wasg a marchnata, gan gynnwys mewn unrhyw sylw yn y cyfryngau sy'n ymwneud â'r gystadleuaeth.