By Lisa Ramsden
Newcastle-based canine specialist search and rescue team, SARDA IN, continues to excel in its field, earning further recognition for its dedication and professionalism. Over the weekend, the team received a major accolade at the Local Pet Awards NI, where they were named Animal Charity of the Year and also selected as a finalist in the Pet Heroes of the Year category.
The Local Pet Awards, which aim to celebrate dedication and excellence within the local pet industry, shone a spotlight on SARDA IN’s outstanding contribution to the community. This year’s awards carried the theme “Achieve, Appreciate, Honour”, perfectly aligning with SARDA’s mission.
Founded in 1978 by Dr. Neil Powell, the Search and Rescue Dog Association (Ireland North) has spent nearly five decades training and deploying elite search dogs across Northern Ireland, the Republic of Ireland, the UK, and beyond. The charity’s dogs are trained and accredited to the highest international standards, specialising in five key search disciplines. Over the years, SARDA IN teams have participated in thousands of missions in treacherous terrain, dense forests, urban disaster zones, and even underwater searches.
Driven by the singular goal of bringing the lost home, SARDA IN’s skilled dogs and their volunteer handlers tirelessly support emergency services in locating missing persons. Their commitment and professionalism continue to make a life-saving difference across the region.
Clair O’Connor, whose father Neil founded SARDA IN and whose husband Raph is one of the team’s senior members, expressed gratitude and pride following the award win. “The awards recognise pet businesses and charities across Northern Ireland, giving them the opportunity to be acknowledged and celebrated within their communities,” she said.
“We are delighted to share that SARDA IN were finalists in two categories – Animal Charity of the Year and Pet Heroes of the Year. Against strong competition, SARDA IN proudly won Animal Charity of the Year, standing alongside other outstanding finalists,” Clair added.
She described the award as “a testament to the tireless work of our volunteers and our incredible search and rescue dogs,” and said it was wonderful to see the team’s commitment formally recognised. Clair also extended her congratulations to all other finalists and winners.
The recognition came just two days before SARDA IN was called out to assist in a real-life emergency. On Monday night, the team was tasked by the PSNI at 8.45pm to help search for a high-risk missing person in the Downpatrick area. One of the SARDA dogs quickly located the individual, who had last been seen almost four hours earlier. Once found, the person was handed over to medical professionals, and the SARDA team was stood down at 10.15pm.
This latest successful mission is yet another example of the crucial, life-saving work SARDA IN continues to provide — work that is now, rightly, being recognised and honoured across Northern Ireland.
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