The Pet Lovers’ Choice Awards has unveiled its new ‘Best in State’ Awards, a competition spanning all 50 states that will crown one top pet per state, with prizes totaling more than $250,000. The winner from California will go up against other state champions for the ‘Best Pet in the Nation’ Award, presented by USA TODAY Pets. All 50 state winners will make a live appearance on stage at the Pet Lovers’ Choice Awards, hosted by Gabriel “Fluffy” Iglesias, in Los Angeles on Tuesday, June 23. Iglesias, a Long Beach native, recently performed to a sold-out crowd of over 70,000 at SoFi Stadium.
Following its debut competition that drew more than 14,000 entries, 10 million votes, and raised over $700,000 for shelter pets, the Pet Lovers’ Choice Awards is expanding with the ‘Best in State’ Awards, bringing the contest to the local level. Pet owners in California and every other state can now enter their cat or dog for a chance to be named their state’s top pet and advance to the national stage.
The awards will be conducted in two phases:
- Best in State’ Awards: recognizing one winning pet from each state
- ‘Best Pet in the Nation’ Award (presented by USA TODAY Pets): the 50 state winners competing for the national title
Best in State, 1st Place Prize Package:
- $3,500 cash prize, two tickets (plus their pet) to the Pet Lovers’ Choice Awards in Los Angeles, a Pet Lovers’ Choice Awards trophy, and a spot in the Best Pet in the Nation final round
Best Pet in the Nation, The Full Star Treatment:
- The national champion receives $10,000 cash, round-trip travel and hotel accommodations in Los Angeles, a place on the nationally broadcast red carpet, an on-stage announcement at the awards show, a professional photography session, a feature in USA TODAY Pets, and a Pet Lovers’ Choice Awards trophy.
To enter your California pet in the ‘Best in State’ Awards and view full competition details, visit petloverschoiceawards.com.
Public voting determines the winners. Every paid vote directly supports the work of Best Friends Animal Society, a national nonprofit whose goal is to save the lives of dogs and cats in shelters.
ABOUT THE PET LOVERS’ CHOICE AWARDS
The Pet Lovers’ Choice Awards is the first fan-voted, national broadcast awards show celebrating America’s dogs and cats. The event honors the animals who make our lives better, while supporting pet lifesaving through Best Friends Animal Society. Follow us on social: Instagram @petloversawards, Facebook @thepetloverschoiceawards, TikTok @officialpetloversawards.
ABOUT BEST FRIENDS ANIMAL SOCIETY
Best Friends Animal Society is a leading animal welfare organization dedicated to saving the lives of dogs and cats in America’s shelters and making the entire country no-kill. Founded in 1984, Best Friends runs lifesaving facilities and programs nationwide in partnership with more than 6,000 shelters and rescue organizations. From our headquarters in Kanab, Utah, we also operate the nation’s largest no-kill animal sanctuary — a destination that brings our mission to life for thousands of visitors each year. We maintain the most comprehensive animal sheltering data in the country and make it accessible to the public — empowering communities with critical insights into the needs of their local shelters and how they can help. We believe every dog and cat deserves a home. And we believe that, by working together, we can Save Them All®.
ABOUT USA TODAY PETS
USA TODAY Pets is a platform for people who care deeply about their animals, offering trusted guidance, inspiration, and community for pet owners across the country. Part of the USA TODAY Network, USA TODAY Pets reaches millions of readers each month with audience first coverage focused on the human–animal bond, responsible pet ownership, and the joy pets bring to everyday life. Visit us at: https://www.usatoday.com/pets-animals.
