Get ready for the biggest pet awards event of the year.
Australia's most adorable showdown
Welcome to the RSPCA’s Pet of the Year Awards – a celebration of the pets who bring the joy, laughter, comfort and love into our lives.
In this donate-to-vote pet competition, pet parents can choose 1 of 6 categories to enter your pet. When voting opens, pets will be placed into small groups to battle it out for the highest votes from your friends and family. Over 4 rounds, a winner will be crowned for each category, walking away with incredible prizes and experiences!
It’s about the dogs who greet you at the door, the cats who claim your keyboard, the rabbits, birds, guinea pigs and every other much-loved companion who bring joy, laughter, comfort and unconditional love into ordinary days. It’s the way they make even ordinary days feel special.
Whether your pet is a rescue success story, a social media star, or simply the light of your life, there’s a category for them.
This is an opportunity to come together, watch the cuteness unfold, and know that your support helps RSPCA rescue, rehabilitate and rehome thousands of animals who deserve a second chance at love.
How to Enter in 3 Easy Steps
1 – Select a category
Choose 1 of the categories to enter your pet
2 – Fill out the form
Fill out the simple entry form with your pet's details and photos. It's free and easy to enter!
3 – Share your superstar
When voting opens on 15 April, share your pet’s profile and get as many votes as you can
Win Big with Your Best Friend
Category Winners
Over $25,000 in prizes to be won!
Cutest Dog
- 1 night pet-staycation at The Langham, Melbourne
- 3 months of pet food from Royal Canin
- 1 year supply of Bravecto
- $250 voucher for Peter Alexander sleepwear
- 1 year membership to Snap Fitness
- DOGUE prize pack valued at $250
- One pair of Hush Puppies shoes
- Behind the scenes tour of an RSPCA shelter
Valued at over $7,000!
Cutest Cat
- 1 night pet-staycation at The Langham, Melbourne
- 3 months of pet food from Royal Canin
- 1 year supply of Bravecto
- 1 Catnets cat enclosure
- $250 voucher for Peter Alexander sleepwear
- DOGUE prize pack valued at $250
- One pair of Hush Puppies shoes
- Behind the scenes tour of an RSPCA shelter
Valued at over $6,700!
Best Rescue
- 1 night pet-staycation at The Langham, Melbourne
- 3 months of pet food from Royal Canin
- 1 year supply of Bravecto
- $250 voucher for Peter Alexander sleepwear
- One pair of Hush Puppies shoes
- Behind the scenes tour of an RSPCA shelter
Valued at over $6,000!
Adorable Others
- 1 night pet-staycation at The Langham, Melbourne
- Collaboration project with Sydney Sock Project
- $250 voucher for Peter Alexander sleepwear
- $250 voucher for Bunnings
- One pair of Hush Puppies shoes
- Behind the scenes tour of an RSPCA shelter
Valued at over $5,000!
Mid-Tier Influencer
- Be the DOGUE Brand Ambassador for a month
- DOGUE Prize pack valued at $250
- Behind the scenes tour of an RSPCA shelter
Money-can't-buy experiences!
Upper-Tier Influencer
- Be the face of a DOGUE campaign
- Design your own collar/lead with DOGUE
- Behind the scenes tour of an RSPCA shelter
Money-can't-buy experiences!
Give your sidekick the spotlight
Pet Owner Categories
(Non-influencer everyday pet lovers)These categories are for regular pet loving owners who are non-influencers only. If you or your pet has a following of more than 2K followers on any social channel, please enter an Influencer category. Please check the FAQs for more information
Pet Influencer Categories
(Social-media pets and creators)These categories are only for people or their pets with a social following on any social channel of 2K or higher. Please check the FAQs for more information.
Awards Timeline
Submission Period
17 Mar- 13 Apr, 2026
Voting Rounds
15 Apr - 22 May, 2026
How It Works
Submission Process
- Entry into the RSPCA Pet of the Year Awards is free.
- The submission period starts on 17th March, 2026 and ends on 13th April, 2026.
- Pet owners select a category that best fits their pet.
- Non-Influencers are permitted to submit one entry in each Pet Owners category.
- Influencers are permitted to submit one entry in one Influencer category.
Voting Process
- Voting runs from 15th April, 2026 to 22nd May, 2026.
- Voters can cast one free vote per entry daily or purchase unlimited additional votes.
- The Awards has up to four rounds where pets compete in groups to advance to the next round.
- The top five entrants (or top 10% whichever is less) from each group receive bonus votes for the next round.
Major Sponsors
Prize Sponsors
About RSPCA
RSPCA is a community-based, non-government charity working towards our vision of a world where animals and people live together with dignity, respect and compassion.
Each year, we rescue, rehabilitate and rehome thousands of animals. We advocate for stronger animal protection laws, respond to reports of cruelty, and educate future generations to help build a kinder future for all creatures, great and small.
Our RSPCA Animal Cruelty Inspectors are on the road 365 days of the year, rescuing animals facing neglect and cruelty, and giving them a second chance at life.
Every animal who comes through our doors deserves safety, care and love. By taking part in this campaign, whether by entering, voting or sharing, you’re helping us continue this vital work and create brighter futures for animals across our community.