Each year, Pet Rock presents awards to those who have shown exemplary work in the fight for our animal friends. A plaque and money award is presented to each of the winners, and each speaks about the case or cases that led us to choosing them.

This year, two are receiving awards from Pet Rock.

Hero Award: Deborah A. Howard, founder and president, Companion Animal Protection Society (CAPS)

Twenty years ago, public relations professional Deborah Howard walked into a Docktor Pet Center franchise – one of more than 300 nationwide – in Atlanta, Georgia, not knowing that that she was about to undergo an epiphany that would forever change her life. A tiny yellow Labrador puppy pressed an open cut against the wire bars of a dirty small cage. As she held this puppy, she wondered about his origins. After some research, Howard discovered, to her horror, that almost all pet shop puppies come from “puppy mills,” commercial breeding facilities that mass produce dogs for resale. She knew she had no choice but to take action.

In 1990, Howard, who has a law degree and had also been a radio news reporter, formed the Companion Animal Protection Society (CAPS), a national nonprofit organization dedicated to stopping the abuse and suffering of companion animals in pet shops and puppy mills. CAPS has been a 501(c)(3) since 1992.

Howard’s TV news interviews include Animal Planet, CNN, CBS, NBC, ABC and FOX. She has done radio, newspaper and magazine interviews for national and international media. A consummate PR professional, Howard has generated publicity on the pet shop and puppy mill issue with the following media: CNN, “Dateline,” “20/20,” (three times) “Hard Copy,” “Marketplace” (a top rated national consumer program on CBC), Life, People, Reader’s Digest, Detroit Free Press, The Philadelphia Inquirer, Tulsa World and numerous local television news stations and newspapers.

CAPS is the only national nonprofit organization dedicated exclusively to protecting companion animals from cruelty in pet shops and puppy mills. CAPS actively addresses the abuse and suffering of pet shop and puppy mill dogs through investigations, education, media relations, legislative involvement, puppy mill dog rescues, consumer assistance and pet industry employee relations. This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it

Media Award for Exemplary Coverage Concerning Animal Issues: Team 5 Investigates – WCVB-TV 5

With their nose to the ground, Team 5 Investigates tackled a variety of animal related stories this past year, shedding light on the subject and bringing it to the forefront of the public eye. Media attention is an important step in reflecting the general public's growing intolerance to topics such as animal cruelty. The Team has covered issues ranging from puppy mills to poor veterinary and farming practices.

"We appreciate the recognition for our efforts to investigate harm done to animals and for our extensive reporting to protect consumers,” said Team 5. “Our investigations have attempted to expose abusive treatment toward animals and why not enough is being done to protect them. We will continue to report on the welfare of animals for their protection and to give consumers an understanding of how people continue to make money while accused and convicted of animal abuse and neglect."

Congratulations to all of our heroes this year. Thank you for fighting for them.