The Pet Lovers’ Choice Awards has unveiled its ‘Best in State’ Awards, a competition spanning all 50 states that will crown one champion pet from each state, with over $250,000 in prizes available. California’s winning pet will then compete alongside state champions from across the country for the ‘Best Pet in the Nation’ Award, presented by USA TODAY Pets. Each of the 50 state winners will appear live on stage at the Pet Lovers’ Choice Awards, hosted by Gabriel “Fluffy” Iglesias, on Tuesday, June 23, in Los Angeles. A native of Long Beach, Iglesias recently performed a sold-out show at SoFi Stadium for more than 70,000 fans.
Following its inaugural competition, which drew over 14,000 entries, 10 million votes, and raised more than $700,000 for shelter pets, the Pet Lovers’ Choice Awards is now expanding with the ‘Best in State’ Awards, taking the contest to a local scale. Pet owners in California and across all 50 states can now submit their cat or dog for a chance to earn the title of their state’s best pet and move on to the national competition.
The contest unfolds in two phases:
- Best in State Awards: recognizing a single champion pet in every state
- Best Pet in the Nation Award (presented by USA TODAY Pets): all 50 state winners go head-to-head for the national crown
First prize for the Best in State includes:
- A $3,500 cash award, two tickets (plus their pet) to the Pet Lovers’ Choice Awards in Los Angeles, a commemorative trophy, and a place in the Best Pet in the Nation final round
The national champion receives the full star treatment:
- A $10,000 cash prize, round-trip airfare and hotel stay in Los Angeles, a place on the nationally televised red carpet, an on-stage recognition during the awards show, a professional photo shoot, a feature in USA TODAY Pets, and a Pet Lovers’ Choice Awards trophy.
California residents can enter their pet in the Best in State competition and find complete contest rules at petloverschoiceawards.com.
State winners are chosen through public voting. Every paid vote directly benefits Best Friends Animal Society, a national nonprofit committed to saving shelter dogs and cats.
ABOUT THE PET LOVERS’ CHOICE AWARDS
The Pet Lovers’ Choice Awards represents the inaugural fan-voted, nationally televised awards ceremony dedicated to celebrating dogs and cats across the United States. The event pays tribute to the animals that enrich our lives, while also raising funds for pet lifesaving efforts via Best Friends Animal Society. Connect with us on social media: Instagram @petloversawards, Facebook @thepetloverschoiceawards, TikTok @officialpetloversawards.
ABOUT BEST FRIENDS ANIMAL SOCIETY
Best Friends Animal Society is a premier animal welfare organization focused on saving shelter dogs and cats and making the entire country no-kill. Founded in 1984, Best Friends operates lifesaving facilities and programs nationwide, collaborating with more than 6,000 shelters and rescue groups. From its headquarters in Kanab, Utah, the organization also runs the largest no-kill animal sanctuary in the nation — a destination that brings its mission to life for thousands of annual visitors. Best Friends maintains the most comprehensive animal sheltering data in the country, making it publicly available to empower communities with critical insights into local shelter needs and how they can help. The organization believes every dog and cat deserves a home and that by working together, we can Save Them All®.
ABOUT USA TODAY PETS
USA TODAY Pets is a platform for people who are deeply devoted to their animals, offering trusted advice, inspiration, and a sense of community for pet owners nationwide. As 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 that pets bring to daily life. Visit us at: https://www.usatoday.com/pets-animals.
