A VETINARY group which is lobbying antifreeze manufacturers to stop making the toxic liquid so tasty to pets, has won two top awards.

White Cross Vets which runs practices in Coulby Newham, Middlesbrough, and Redcar has scooped the veterinary industry’s top marketing award in recognition of its campaign to persuade antifreeze manufacturers to add agents with a bitter flavour.

After launching an online petition last year, the issue has been discussed in Parliament and peer Lord Trees has agreed to raise it in the House of Lords.

Along with its public relations agency Candid PR, it won the ‘Presidents’ award at the Veterinary Marketing Association presentation evening as well as scooping the ‘digital media’ gong for its new website.

Justin Phillips, Marketing Manager at White Cross Vets, says: “The antifreeze campaign has been hugely successful but we’re still working hard to encourage manufacturers to mask its natural sweet taste, so it no longer appeals to cats, dogs and other wildlife.

“Even tiny amounts of the liquid are highly toxic and can quickly lead to kidney failure and death. This award will help us to continue to raise awareness of its dangers.”