The Pet Lovers’ Choice Awards Launches ‘Best in State’ Awards and USA TODAY Pets to Present ‘Best Pet in the Nation’ Award

Pet Awards Competition to Benefit National Nonprofit Best Friends Animal Society

To celebrate National Pet Month, the Pet Lovers' Choice Awards, the first nationally broadcast, fan-voted awards show celebrating America's favorite pets, today announced the launch of its 'Best in State' Awards. The nationwide, state-by-state competition will recognize the top pet in each state and ultimately crown one 'Best Pet in the Nation' Award, presented by USA TODAY Pets, a national media partner of the Pet Lovers' Choice Awards. The "Best Pet in the Nation" winner will receive a prize package including $10,000 and inclusion on USA TODAY Pets. Winners will be featured live on stage at the Pet Lovers' Choice Awards, hosted by comedian Gabriel "Fluffy" Iglesias, in Los Angeles on Tuesday, June 23.

After generating more than 14,000 entries, 10 million votes and over $700,000 raised to help pets in shelters its inaugural competition, the Pet Lovers' Choice Awards is expanding with the 'Best in State' Awards, bringing the competition to the local level. Pet owners across all 50 states are invited to 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: honoring 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

To enter the 'Best in State' Awards and view full competition details, visit petloverschoiceawards.com. 

Winners are determined by public voting. Each 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.