Think your cat or dog has what it takes to be the cutest in Pennsylvania? Get them ready for their closeup, for a good cause!
USAToday’s Pet Lovers’ Choice Awards, the first awards show celebrating America’s pets, just announced the launch of its ‘Best in State’ Awards. Pet owners can enter cats or dogs in their state’s competition. Fan votes will determine a winner in all 50 states, then crown one state winner ‘Best Pet in the Nation.’
Three winners in each state will take home a cash prize, with the top pet from each state eligible to compete for the national title. The pet crowned “Best Pet in the Nation” will win $10,000 cash and a prize package that includes coverage in USA TODAY Pets, a national media partner of the Pet Lovers’ Choice Awards. Winners will be featured live on stage at a Hollywood-style ceremony in Los Angeles on Tuesday, June 23, hosted by comedian Gabriel “Fluffy” Iglesias.
Here’s how it works: People can vote for their favorite pets for free once a day. If they want to vote again, they can purchase extra votes. Each paid vote directly supports Best Friends Animal Society, an animal welfare organization with a mission to save the lives of dogs and cats in America’s shelters.
The state-by-state competition follows the inaugural Pet Lovers’ Choice Awards contest, where pet influencers went paw-to-paw to be crowned America’s cutest and everyday pets could enter categories ranging from “Most Fashionable” to “Best Vocalist” to “Senior Sweetheart.” The first round of voting generated more than 14,000 entries, 10 million votes and over $700,000 raised to help pets in shelters. Best Friends Animal Society, which receives 51 percent of the voting proceeds, is giving $337,000 in grants to 117 shelters and rescues whose adoptable or alumni pets received the most votes.
To enter the ‘Best in State’ Awards, vote for finalists in the superlative categories and view full competition details, visit petloverschoiceawards.com.
