OFFICIAL RULES OF THE PET LOVERS CHOICE AWARDS
- INTRODUCTION AND BINDING AGREEMENT
The Pet Lovers Choice Awards (the “Awards”) is a promotional competition in which outcomes are determined by public voting based on the number of votes received by each Entry. No purchase is necessary to enter or participate. Free and paid voting methods are available. Purchasing votes provides an additional method of participation but does not guarantee advancement, selection, or winning.
Your participation in any capacity—as an Entrant, Voter, or Winner—in the Pet Lovers Choice Awards (the “Awards”) constitutes your full and unconditional agreement to these Official Rules. This document is a binding legal contract between you (the “Participant”) and Entertainment Gang LLC ( “Operator”). For clarity, any reference herein to "We," "Us," or "Our" shall refer to the Operator.
The Operator reserves the right to amend, modify, suspend, or cancel the Awards or these Official Rules at any time, including during active entry or voting periods, without advance notice. Continued participation in the Awards following any modification constitutes acceptance of those changes.
These Official Rules were last revised on April 30, 2026.
Please be aware that this document contains critical provisions that affect your legal rights, including limitations on liability and a mandatory arbitration clause governed exclusively by the laws of the State of Utah. The sections titled “Limitation of Liability and Indemnity” and “Mandatory Arbitration” require that all disputes be resolved through individual arbitration rather than in court and waive your right to participate in any class-action lawsuit.
- ELIGIBILITY
The Awards are open only to legal residents of the fifty (50) United States and the District of Columbia, except where prohibited by state or local law. U.S. territories are excluded. For competition grouping purposes, legal residents of Washington, D.C. may be grouped with Virginia.
Participants must be at least thirteen (13) years of age. Individuals under the age of eighteen (18) and over the age of thirteen (13) are permitted to enter only with the express consent of a parent or legal guardian. By entering, all Participants under eighteen (18) years of age confirm they have obtained such consent, and the Operator may require proof of this consent at any time. Participants cannot be under the age of thirteen (13).
Officers, directors, and employees of the Operator, as well as their immediate family members (defined as a spouse, parent, child, or sibling), are not eligible to enter the Awards.
The submitted pet must be a domesticated dog or cat residing in the United States at the time of submission and for the duration of the Awards.
- ENTRY AND SUBMISSION REQUIREMENTS
The entry period for the Best in State Awards commences on April 30, 2026, at 5:00 AM PST and concludes on May 19, 2026, at 11:59 PM PST. The Operator reserves the right to modify these dates and times at its sole discretion.
To enter, an individual ("Entrant") must submit a minimum of one photograph of their pet, or a pet for which they serve as a guardian or authorized representative, along with any other media or information requested on the application form (collectively, the "Entry"). Only one (1) Entry per pet per email address is permitted.
Best in State Entry Eligibility
Entrants must have their primary residence located within the state entered and the Best in State competition is open only to residents of the United States.
Entrants must provide accurate and truthful information regarding their
state of residence. The Operator reserves the right to verify residency at any
time and may disqualify, remove, or reassign any Entry that is found to contain
false, misleading, or unverifiable residency information.
Authenticity of Pet and Photograph
All submitted photographs must feature a real, living pet legally owned by the Entrant or submitted with authorization from the owner. Submissions featuring inanimate objects, including but not limited to stuffed animals or taxidermy, are ineligible.
The use of generative Artificial Intelligence (AI) to create the image or materially alter the primary subject is strictly prohibited. Standard editing such as cropping or color correction is permitted so long as it does not alter the fundamental reality of the image.
The Operator reserves the right, in its sole and absolute discretion,
to determine whether any Entry complies with these authenticity requirements,
including whether any image has been artificially generated or materially altered,
and to disqualify any Entry that does not meet these standards.
Proof of Ownership
A potential winner must furnish proof of ownership of the pet featured in their Entry upon request. Acceptable documentation may include, but is not limited to, veterinary records, adoption certificates, or microchip registration data.
The Operator reserves the right, at its sole discretion, to request proof
of ownership at any time during the Awards, including prior to the final determination
of winners.
This proof must be submitted within five (5) days of the Operator’s request. Failure to do so will result in disqualification and the selection of an alternate winner.
The Operator reserves the right to determine whether submitted documentation
is sufficient to establish ownership and may request additional documentation
or clarification if deemed necessary.
Intellectual Property
By submitting an Entry, the Entrant warrants that they are the original copyright holder of the photograph and all associated media, or that they have obtained all necessary rights, permissions, and releases for the purpose of entering the Awards.
The Entrant further warrants that the Entry does not infringe upon any third-party rights, including but not limited to privacy, copyright, trademark, or rights of publicity, and that any individuals appearing in the Entry have provided any required consent for use as contemplated by these Official Rules.
The Entrant hereby grants to the Operator a worldwide, perpetual, irrevocable, non-exclusive, royalty-free, fully paid, sublicensable license to reproduce, distribute, display, perform, adapt, edit, modify, create derivative works from, and otherwise use the Entry, in whole or in part, in any media now known or hereafter developed, for any purpose, including but not limited to promotional, editorial, advertising, sponsorship, commercial, and broadcast purposes, without further compensation, approval, or notice.
This license includes the right for the Operator, at no cost, to make
the Entry available to and authorize use by its partners, sponsors, media partners,
licensees, and affiliates in connection with the promotion, marketing, and presentation
of the Awards.
The Entrant acknowledges that the Operator is under no obligation to
use any Entry and that the Operator may edit, adapt, or modify any Entry in
its sole discretion.
The Entrant further grants the Operator the right to use the Entrant’s
name, the pet’s name, likeness, and any associated identifiers in connection
with the Entry for promotional, editorial, advertising, sponsorship, and broadcast
purposes without further compensation, notice, or approval.
The Entrant agrees to indemnify and hold harmless the Operator and its
partners from any claims arising out of or related to the use of the Entry,
including but not limited to claims of intellectual property infringement or
violation of rights of publicity or privacy.
The Operator may refuse or remove any Entry that contains vulgar, obscene, defamatory, or otherwise inappropriate content, infringes on third-party rights, or otherwise violates these Official Rules.
- PUBLIC VOTING ROUNDS
The Operator may, in its sole discretion, select which Entrants advance as competitors in the public voting portion of the Awards.
Public voting commences on May 20, 2026, at 12:01 AM PST and concludes on June 17, 2026, at 7:00 PM PST.
Members of the public are invited to vote for their favorite Entries.
No purchase is necessary to participate or vote. Free voting methods
are available to all participants. Purchasing votes provides an additional method
of participation but does not guarantee advancement, selection, or winning.
Voters may cast free votes at defined intervals, which may require email or social authentication.
The Operator reserves the right to modify, limit, or restrict free voting
methods, including frequency and authentication requirements, at any time.
Additional votes may be cast through payments, with the number of votes varying based on the payment amount.
By purchasing votes, you acknowledge and agree that you are purchasing
a participation feature within a competition and not making a charitable donation.
All vote purchases are final and non-refundable and do not guarantee any outcome.
Once a vote is cast, it is final and cannot be amended, reversed, or reallocated,
including in cases of user error.
Best in State Voting Structure
There will be three (3) voting rounds for each Best in State category and then a final round for the Best in Nation award.
- Round 1 (21 May – 28 May): The top 20 Entrants or top 50% of entrants (whichever is less) advance
- Round 2 (30 May – 4 June): The top 10 Entrants or top 50% of entrants (whichever is less) advance
- Final Best in State Round (6 June – 11 June): The top 3 Entrants will be awarded 1st, 2nd, and 3rd place
- Final Best in Nation Round (13 June – 17 June): The top-voted Entrant will be named the Best in Nation winner
The Operator reserves the right, in its sole discretion, to modify voting
periods, round structures, advancement criteria, or the number of advancing
Entrants at any time to ensure the integrity and proper operation of the Awards.
Entrants that progress to subsequent rounds may carry over a percentage of votes as determined by the Operator. Votes WILL NOT carry over into the Best in Nation round.
Entrants that receive zero (0) votes in Round 1 are ineligible to progress.
Participants acknowledge that vote totals displayed on the website may
be subject to delays, verification processes, system latency, or technical adjustments.
The Operator reserves the right to review, validate, remove, or adjust votes
at any time. Final vote counts are determined solely by the Operator.
In the event of a tie, the Operator will determine the outcome.
The Operator reserves the right to disqualify votes or participants engaging
in fraudulent, deceptive, abusive, or manipulative practices, including coordinated
voting schemes, misleading promotions, or coercion of voters.
All determinations regarding vote totals, advancement, disqualification,
and final results are made by the Operator in its sole and absolute discretion
and are final and binding.
BFAS / CHARITABLE BENEFICIARY SECTION
Best Friends Animal Society (“BFAS”) is the designated charitable beneficiary of the Pet Lovers Choice Awards.
BFAS is not soliciting or accepting donations in connection with the
Awards and is participating solely as a designated charitable beneficiary.
All payments for purchased votes are processed and collected directly by BFAS. The Operator does not collect, hold, or process these vote payments.
All payment transactions are processed by third-party payment processors
engaged by BFAS, and the Operator is not responsible for payment processing
errors, transaction failures, or related issues.
BFAS pays the Operator an independent management fee for administering the Awards and maintaining the voting platform. BFAS retains a minimum of fifty-one percent (51%) of the Net Voting Revenue. Net Voting Revenue is defined as the total amount received for votes minus applicable payment processing fees, including but not limited to approximately 2.9% plus $0.30 per transaction, subject to change.
The allocation of Net Voting Revenue between BFAS and the Operator is
determined pursuant to private agreements between Operator and BFAS and does
not affect the outcome of the competition.
Vote purchases do not constitute charitable donations to Best Friends
Animal Society and are not tax-deductible. Participation in voting does not
entitle any participant to a charitable receipt. The Awards are a promotional
competition, and any funds retained by BFAS are determined solely by the Operator
pursuant to its internal agreements with BFAS.
BFAS does not participate in or control the voting process, the determination of winners, or any decisions regarding Entrants or Entries.
All aspects of the promotion, including the structure of the competition,
voting mechanics, and determination of winners, are conducted solely by the
Operator.
BFAS is not responsible for vote counts, vote verifications, or final outcomes.
BFAS shall have no liability for any claims, disputes, or issues arising from the voting process, technical malfunctions, or the administration of the Awards.
- PRIZES
Prizes will be officially announced and awarded for Category Winners at the Pet Lovers Choice Awards event to be held in or near Los Angeles, California.
Prizes are non-transferable, non-exchangeable, and cannot be redeemed for cash except where expressly stated. If a prize or any portion of a prize becomes unavailable, the Operator reserves the right to substitute a prize of equal or greater value.
Physical prizes, vouchers, and communications will be sent to the mailing and email addresses provided by the winner.
Attendance at the Pet Lovers Choice Awards event is not required to receive
a prize. However, winners may be invited to participate in promotional activities
associated with the Awards.
Winner Notification and Acceptance
Winners will be notified using the contact information provided at the time of entry, including email and/or other available communication methods.
The Operator shall not be responsible for any failure of Winners to receive
notification due to incorrect, outdated, or incomplete contact information,
or due to technical issues, spam filters, or other delivery failures.
Winners must respond to notification within forty-eight (48) hours of receipt of such notification or risk forfeiture of the prize, at which point the Operator may select an alternate winner.
If a potential winner is found to be ineligible, fails to comply with
these Official Rules, or declines the prize, the Operator may, in its sole discretion,
select an alternate winner.
As a condition of receiving a prize, winners may be required to complete
and return documentation requested by the Operator, including but not limited
to eligibility verification forms, liability/publicity releases, and tax documentation.
Failure to complete required documentation within the specified timeframe
may result in disqualification and forfeiture of the prize.
All winners are subject to verification of eligibility and compliance
with these Official Rules prior to the awarding of any prize.
All federal, state, and local taxes, as well as any other costs and expenses
associated with the acceptance and use of a prize, are the sole responsibility
of the winner.
Prizes are awarded “as is” with no warranties or guarantees,
express or implied.
- COMMUNICATIONS, CONSENT, AND PRIVACY
By participating in the Awards, you provide your express consent for the Operator to contact you using the information provided, including your email address and any other contact details.
Participants may receive:
- Promotional communications (updates, reminders, marketing)
- Transactional or operational communications (receipts, confirmations, notifications)
Participants may opt out of promotional communications at any time using provided unsubscribe mechanisms.
Participants may not opt out of essential operational communications without withdrawing from participation in the Awards.
Participant information may be shared with partners, sponsors, and the designated charitable beneficiary, Best Friends Animal Society, in accordance with applicable privacy laws and the Privacy Policy.
Participants may opt out of certain data sharing practices as required
by applicable law, including under the California Consumer Privacy Act (CCPA)
and similar state laws, without affecting their eligibility to participate.
For participants under eighteen (18) years of age, a parent or legal
guardian is responsible for all participation activity, including any vote purchases
or financial transactions conducted in connection with the Awards.
Additional Protections
If a participant provides a mobile phone number, the participant expressly
consents to receive calls and text messages (including automated or prerecorded
messages) from or on behalf of the Operator related to the Awards, including
promotional and operational communications. Message and data rates may apply.
Participants may opt out of promotional text messages at any time by following
the instructions provided in such messages. Consent to receive marketing text
messages is not required as a condition of entry.
All email communications will comply with applicable laws, including the CAN-SPAM Act. Promotional emails will include an unsubscribe mechanism.
Participant information may be used to administer the Awards, verify
eligibility, process transactions, communicate with participants, and for promotional
and marketing purposes as described in the Privacy Policy.
While the Operator takes reasonable measures to protect participant information,
no method of transmission or storage is completely secure, and the Operator
does not guarantee absolute security of personal information.
Participants acknowledge that certain services, including voting authentication,
payment processing, and communications, may be provided by third-party service
providers, and use of such services may be subject to the terms and privacy
policies of those third parties.
Participant information may be processed and stored in the United States
or other jurisdictions where the Operator or its service providers operate,
which may have data protection laws that differ from those of the participant’s
jurisdiction.
- DATA USAGE AND PUBLICITY
All Participant information and Entries may be used by the Operator and its partners for promotional, marketing, editorial, sponsorship, and broadcast purposes in any media format worldwide, without further notice or compensation.
Participants grant the Operator the right to use their name, likeness, pet’s name, and Entry content in connection with the promotion and presentation of the Awards.
This includes use in digital media, social media platforms, websites,
email communications, advertising campaigns, press materials, live events, and
televised or streamed broadcasts.
Participants acknowledge and agree that Entries and related content may
be edited, adapted, or modified at the sole discretion of the Operator.
Participants grant the Operator the right to make Entries and related
content available to and authorize use by its partners, sponsors, media partners,
and affiliates in connection with the promotion and presentation of the Awards.
Participants understand and agree that use of their Entry and related
content may continue after the conclusion of the Awards without further compensation,
notice, or approval.
The Operator is under no obligation to use any Entry or Participant information.
- PROHIBITED CONDUCT AND ABUSE
Participants agree not to engage in any activity that compromises the integrity, fairness, or proper operation of the Awards.
Prohibited conduct includes, but is not limited to:
- Use of automated systems (bots, scripts, macros)
- Data scraping or extraction
- Technical interference or system disruption
- Fraudulent voting practices
- Misrepresentation of identity or eligibility
This includes, without limitation, coordinated voting schemes, misleading
or deceptive promotional practices, harassment or coercion of voters, or any
attempt to artificially influence results through means inconsistent with the
intended spirit of the competition.
The Operator reserves the right, in its sole and absolute discretion,
to determine whether any conduct violates these Official Rules, including based
on suspected or apparent violations, and to take any action it deems appropriate.
Consequences of Violation
Consequences may include:
- Removal of votes
- Disqualification
- Permanent banning
- Legal action
The Operator may, at its sole discretion, remove, reduce, or adjust votes
associated with any Entry or participant, whether in whole or in part, to preserve
the integrity of the Awards.
The Operator is not required to provide notice, warning, or an opportunity
to cure prior to taking action under this section.
All determinations and actions taken by the Operator under this section
are final and binding.
- LIMITATION OF LIABILITY AND INDEMNITY
The Operator is not liable for any loss, damage, or injury arising from participation in the Awards or acceptance or use of any prize, including but not limited to technical malfunctions, internet failures, system delays, interruptions, or inaccuracies in vote counts or display.
All services related to the Awards are provided “as-is” and without any warranty, express or implied.
Participants acknowledge that competition outcomes are based on relative
vote totals and participation dynamics, and that perceived fairness, competitive
advantage, or expectations regarding results do not create liability for the
Operator.
For purposes of this section, the “Contest Entities” include
the Operator, its affiliates, partners, sponsors, prize providers, service providers,
and the charitable beneficiary, and each of their respective officers, directors,
employees, and agents.
To the fullest extent permitted by law, the Contest Entities shall not
be liable for any indirect, incidental, consequential, special, or punitive
damages arising out of or related to participation in the Awards, even if advised
of the possibility of such damages.
In no event shall the liability of the Contest Entities exceed the actual
out-of-pocket expenses incurred by the participant in connection with participation
in the Awards.
The Contest Entities are not responsible for errors in the administration
of the Awards, including but not limited to errors in vote tabulation, technical
failures, payment processing issues, third-party service interruptions, or unauthorized
human intervention.
Indemnity
Participants agree to release, defend, indemnify, and hold harmless the Contest Entities from and against any and all claims, liabilities, damages, losses, costs, or expenses (including reasonable attorneys’ fees) arising out of or related to:
- Participation in the Awards
- Submission or use of any Entry
- Violation of these Official Rules
- Infringement or alleged infringement of any third-party rights
- Acceptance, use, or misuse of any prize
This obligation applies regardless of whether such claims arise from
the acts or omissions of the participant or any third party acting on their
behalf.
- MANDATORY ARBITRATION
Any dispute, claim, or controversy arising out of or relating to the Awards or these Official Rules, including the validity, enforceability, or scope of this arbitration provision, shall be resolved through binding, final, and unappealable arbitration administered by the American Arbitration Association (AAA) under its Consumer Arbitration Rules.
This agreement to arbitrate applies to all claims of any kind, whether
based in contract, tort, statute, or otherwise, and applies to all participants
and the Contest Entities.
ALL CLAIMS MUST BE BROUGHT IN THE PARTICIPANT’S INDIVIDUAL CAPACITY AND NOT AS A PLAINTIFF OR MEMBER OF ANY PURPORTED CLASS, COLLECTIVE, OR REPRESENTATIVE PROCEEDING.
BY PARTICIPATING IN THE AWARDS, PARTICIPANTS WAIVE ANY RIGHT TO A TRIAL
BY JURY OR TO PARTICIPATE IN A CLASS ACTION.
The arbitration shall be conducted by a single arbitrator in the State of Utah, or virtually if determined appropriate by the arbitrator. The proceedings shall be governed exclusively by the laws of the State of Utah, without regard to conflict of law principles.
Discovery shall be limited to the exchange of relevant, non-privileged documents upon written request.
The arbitrator shall have the authority to award any remedies available
in a court of law, except that the arbitrator shall not have authority to certify
or hear class, collective, or representative claims.
The prevailing party shall be entitled to recover reasonable attorneys’ fees and costs to the extent permitted by applicable law.
Nothing in this section shall prevent either party from seeking relief
in small claims court for disputes within its jurisdiction or seeking injunctive
or equitable relief in a court of competent jurisdiction where necessary.
All proceedings, including any arbitration award, shall remain confidential except as required by law.
If any portion of this section is deemed invalid or unenforceable, the remainder shall remain in full force and effect.
- GENERAL TERMS
The Operator reserves the right, in its sole discretion, to terminate, suspend, modify, or cancel the Awards, or any portion thereof, at any time and for any reason, including but not limited to circumstances beyond its control, such as acts of God, natural disasters, war, terrorism, civil unrest, labor disputes, technical failures, computer viruses, fraud, or any other event that disrupts or undermines the administration or integrity of the Awards.
In the event of termination, suspension, or modification, the Operator reserves the right to determine winners based on eligible entries and votes received prior to such action, or to modify the method of determining winners in a manner it deems fair and appropriate.
The Operator reserves the right to correct any errors, omissions, or
inconsistencies in the administration of the Awards, including but not limited
to errors in vote tabulation, entry processing, or prize allocation.
Failure by the Operator to enforce any provision of these Official Rules shall not constitute a waiver of that provision or any other provision.
The Operator reserves the right, in its sole discretion, to interpret
and apply these Official Rules, and all such interpretations and determinations
shall be final and binding.
All decisions of the Operator regarding the administration of the Awards, including but not limited to eligibility, voting, results, and prize awarding, are final and binding in all respects.
These Official Rules shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of the State of Utah, without regard to its conflict of law principles.
These Official Rules constitute the entire agreement between the Participant
and the Operator with respect to the Awards and supersede any prior communications
or understandings.
- SEVERABILITY
If any provision of these Official Rules is found by a court or arbitrator of competent jurisdiction to be invalid, illegal, or unenforceable, such provision shall be severed from these Official Rules, and the remaining provisions shall remain in full force and effect and shall be interpreted so as to best effectuate the original intent of the parties.