Rescue Pet Awards 2026: Who Can You Nominate Before 30 September?

Edited by Scoop for theTailed Editorial Desk Published September 12, 2026

Conceptual editorial illustration of an adult rescue dog and tabby cat beside an awards cushion and rosette; not a depiction of real nominees.

The inaugural Rescue Pet Awards are accepting nominations until 30 September. Here is who can enter the public categories, which entries are restricted, and what to check before submitting.

Edited by Scoop · theTailed Newsroom · 4 minute read

Some rescue stories arrive with a dramatic before-and-after photograph. Others are built from quieter work: the foster carer who stays up through the first unsettled night, the volunteer who drives a nervous dog across counties, or the cat whose second chance gradually reorganises an entire household.

The inaugural Rescue Pet Awards are asking the public and rescue community to put those stories forward. Organiser Only Rescues says the ceremony will take place in London on 24 November 2026, while current industry coverage gives midnight on 30 September as the nomination deadline.

The useful detail is that not every category has the same entry route. Five are open to anyone, three must come from someone working or volunteering at the nominated shelter, and the commercial categories must be entered by the company or brand concerned. Before opening a form, decide which story you are actually nominating and whether you are eligible to submit it.

The five categories anyone can enter

The organiser's category page says anyone may submit a nomination or application for Rescue Dog of the Year, Rescue Cat of the Year, Foster Carer of the Year, Rescue Volunteer of the Year and Rescue Influencer of the Year.

The two animal categories are designed around the individual rescue pet's story. The organiser describes dogs and cats that have overcome a difficult start, supported their owner, or brought comfort and companionship. That does not mean the most distressing history automatically makes the strongest entry. A clear account of the animal's life now, the people involved and the change that followed adoption will usually tell readers more than dramatic language without dates or detail.

The human categories separate fostering, volunteering and public influence. A foster carer may be recognised for helping animals recover and rebuild trust; a volunteer for sustained practical work; and an influencer for encouraging adoption, fostering or informed support. Choose the category that matches the person's actual contribution rather than submitting the same general praise everywhere.

Shelter entries have a different rule

UK Shelter of the Year, International Shelter of the Year and Volunteer-Led Shelter of the Year are not open to a casual public nomination. The awards page says the application must be submitted by somebody who works or volunteers at the shelter being nominated.

That distinction protects a practical boundary. A supporter may know that a rescue does valuable work, but the organisation itself is better placed to describe its leadership, operations and evidence. If you want to encourage a shelter to enter, contact it through its normal public channel and leave the final decision and factual submission to the team.

Volunteer-Led Shelter of the Year is specifically framed around organisations where most leadership and operations are carried out by volunteers. UK and international shelter categories have their own geographic scope, so do not assume that one form is interchangeable with another.

Companies must submit their own entries

The remaining categories cover pet food, insurance, veterinary practices, retail, pet care, grooming, transport, accessories and marketing campaigns connected with rescue animals. The organiser says those applications must be submitted by someone who works for the company or brand being nominated.

For an ordinary pet owner, that makes the route simple: you can recognise a rescue pet, foster carer, volunteer or influencer directly, but you should not present yourself as authorised to make a business application. You can still tell a company about the awards; its staff must decide whether to enter and stand behind the claims in the form.

The category descriptions also ask for more than a product existing somewhere near rescue work. They focus on demonstrable support, tailored service, positive care or initiatives that make a difference. A truthful entry should therefore use specific examples that the entrant can verify.

What to prepare before nominating

Start with the exact category wording and the live application form. Gather the correct names, the rescue or organisation involved, an accurate timeline and a concise explanation of what changed. Ask permission before sharing somebody else's personal story, photographs or contact details, and do not disclose sensitive information about adopters, volunteers or animals merely to make an entry sound more dramatic.

Keep claims proportionate. If you know a rescue pet through your own household, say what you directly observed. If you are describing a volunteer's wider impact, check facts with the person or organisation rather than estimating numbers. The awards are celebratory, but accuracy is still part of a respectful nomination.

All Paws Industry reported on 9 September that nominations close at midnight on 30 September. The organiser's site gives the ceremony date as 24 November in London. Recheck the live form before submitting, because deadlines, required fields and terms can change.

From theTailed

If your nominated rescue pet has already won the household vote, the theTailed personalised small-print pet hoodie uses an illustration created from your pet photo in a quieter logo-style placement. The product page was live when checked today.