Pet Lovers’ Choice Awards Opens a National Stage for Pets — and a Funding Pathway for Rescues

The Pet Lovers’ Choice Awards is positioning itself as more than a fan-voted celebration of dogs and cats. Designed as a nationally broadcast awards event, the competition blends public participation, celebrity hosting, and entertainment with a direct funding opportunity for animal welfare organizations across the country.

For Las Vegas pet lovers and rescues alike, the 2026 awards cycle introduces a meaningful opportunity: local participation, social voting, and adoption stories can translate into real grant dollars — including a potential $20,000 award for one organization.

This year, Furever Nevada is already participating, highlighting how Southern Nevada rescues can use national platforms to amplify their impact locally.

What Are the Pet Lovers’ Choice Awards

The Pet Lovers’ Choice Awards is a fan-voted national awards show celebrating dogs and cats of all backgrounds — rescued or purebred, seniors or puppies, companions or working animals. The event culminates in a televised ceremony on April 8, hosted by comedian and actor Gabriel “Fluffy” Iglesias.

Structured similarly to mainstream entertainment awards, the program includes red carpet coverage, live winner announcements, and national media exposure.

A defining feature of the awards is its partnership with Best Friends Animal Society, ensuring that every paid vote supports lifesaving work for animals across the U.S.

How Pets and People Can Participate

Pet owners can submit their dogs or cats into a wide range of categories, with a clear distinction between everyday pet owners and social media influencers.

Pet Owner Categories (Non-Influencers)

These categories are open to the general public and include:

• Best Rescue Pet
• Cutest Dog
• Cutest Cat
• Senior Sweetheart
• Hero Pet
• Athletic Champion
• Best Vocalist
• Most Fashionable
• Ugliest Pet

Entry is free, and non-influencers may submit one entry per category.

Influencer Categories

Pets with 10,000 or more followers compete in tiered influencer categories based on audience size.

Voting Timeline and Structure

• Submissions open: November 13 – February 15
• Voting begins: November 28
• Voting closes: March 26
• Awards show: April 8

Voters receive one free vote per pet per day, with optional paid votes available. Pets advance through multiple rounds, with a portion of votes carrying over between rounds to maintain momentum.

What Winners Receive

Category winners receive prize packages valued at over $50,000, including:

• $10,000 cash prize
• Travel and accommodations to Los Angeles
• Awards show tickets for two people and their pet
• Red carpet participation
• Professional photography session
• On-stage recognition
• A Times Square billboard feature
• Official Pet Lovers’ Choice Awards trophy

Virtual participation is available for winners unable to attend in person.

How Rescues and Shelters Can Earn Grant Funding

Beyond individual pet recognition, the Pet Lovers’ Choice Awards includes a structured funding opportunity specifically for shelters and rescues — one that relies on community engagement rather than application-heavy grant models.

Through its partnership with Best Friends Animal Society, the program allows rescues and shelters to qualify for up to $20,000 in funding.

Grant Structure

• One top organization will receive a $20,000 grant and on-air recognition during the televised awards
• 16 runner-up organizations (8 rescues and 8 shelters) will each receive $5,000 grants
• Additional bonus grants may be awarded throughout the event

How Organizations Participate

• Rescues and shelters must first submit their organization to be eligible
• Once approved, adopters can select that organization when entering their pets in any category
• The more adopted pets submitted and supported through voting, the stronger the organization’s position

Public voting begins November 28, and organizations are encouraged to mobilize adopters, fosters, and supporters through social media and outreach campaigns.

Official rescue and shelter participation details can be found at Best Friends Event site!

Local Impact – Why Social Voting Matters in Las Vegas

For Southern Nevada rescues like Furever Nevada, the awards offer a way to turn adoption stories into tangible support. Local pet owners don’t need to enter rescue-specific categories to help — entering any pet and tagging a participating rescue contributes to visibility and potential funding.

In a region where rescues are consistently navigating high intake numbers, limited resources, and growing operational costs, programs that convert public engagement into unrestricted funding can play a critical role.

A National Spotlight With Local Consequences

While the Pet Lovers’ Choice Awards may look like entertainment on the surface, its structure reflects a broader shift in animal welfare fundraising — one where storytelling, community pride, and visibility are leveraged to support real-world outcomes.

For Las Vegas pet owners, rescues, and shelters, participation represents more than a contest entry. It’s a chance to connect local adoption efforts to a national audience — and potentially bring meaningful resources back home.