Husky-loving Brooke, 8, in line to win Young Animal Hero award

Husky enthusiast Brooke Brightmore has received special recognition for the work she’s done at 8 Below Husky Rescue, a dog rescue shelter owned by her mum, Jade, and has been announced as a finalist in the Animal Star Awards’ Young Animal Hero category.

Last summer, Brooke peddled 50 miles on her bike and raised £2,000 for the husky rescue when the pandemic hindered their fundraising efforts.

She also helps her mum at the shelter, where Jade observes how the rescue dogs interact with Brooke so she can assess whether they’re fit to be adopted by households with children.

Jade, said: “I’m so proud of Brooke, she does so much helping me with the rescue.

“We were contacted by them and then basically told that she’d been nominated for an award - and shortly after we found out that she’s going to be a finalist!

“Brooke’s really excited and grateful. Because she’s been brought up around the rescue since she was born, working with dogs is so normal and natural for her.

“She has always been quite compassionate towards animals, even dogs with behaviour problems that I can't introduce her to, she’s still inquisitive and empathetic about what’s happened to them.”

Before the pandemic, Brooke enjoyed being a part of fundraising events, such as hosting a tombolas at Pets At Home Pontefract, which is one of 8 Below’s registered charity partners.

And she loves receiving emails and updates from adopters about the dog’s she formerly helped to care for.

The winner of the award will be announced this Sunday, March 28.

Jade said: “We’re both quite excited about the award announcement, but at the end of the day it’s just nice that she’s getting recognised for the hard work she does at the rescue.

“She is such an outgoing and caring little girl, who’s so passionate about all the dogs even after they’ve been adopted.

“She’s even been the reason people have taken a dog home, after adopters see how the dog interacts with her.

“Of course we’ll be really pleased if she wins but just making a finalist has been so lovely and it’s made her so happy.”