The Pets Canada Community Awards
We’re excited to introduce our new name and brand, creating a stronger connection with the Pets Canada organization. This rebranding highlights that these prestigious awards are exclusively for Pets Canada members.
The Pets Canada Community Awards celebrate individuals and businesses with a proven track record of exceptional community care and involvement. Our nominees are leaders who understand and address the needs of pets and their communities through initiatives like charity work, donations, public education, pet adoption events, fundraising, and food drives.
Who can nominate who?
The nomination process is open to anyone from the pet community. The top 5 nominated candidates in each category will be announced prior to the voting process. The candidate with the most votes will win in their respective category. Note: All nominated candidates must be active members of Pets Canada and have not won the previous year. See our 2024 winners
Who can vote?
Everyone can vote! The candidate with the most votes will win in their respective category. Note: all nominated candidates must be active members of Pets Canada.
There are six award categories:
Individual winners from Western Canada, Eastern Canada, and Quebec are honoured at their respective industry shows. The prestigious John & Kelly Ayres Philanthropy Award for Manufacturers and Distributors is presented during our Toronto Industry Show in September. See our national show dates and locations here
Category Criteria For Nominees
Criteria for Manufacturer and Distributor Sales Representative Awards:
- Must be an employee of a Canadian pet product manufacturing or distribution company that is a member of Pets Canada in 2025.
- Possesses a talent for helping business owners and their staff better understand products and demonstrate how they can benefit their customers.
- Is always available to provide ongoing support for clients and pet owners.
- Voluntarily participates in clients’ community activities, lending a hand and interacting with pet-owning families.
- The company must be a 2025 member of Pets Canada (Canadian, American, or international). The sales representative must be Canadian and sell in the Canadian market
Criteria for Independent Retailer and Chain Store Awards:
- Must be a traditional brick and mortar store and a 2025 member of Pets Canada (when voting for the Chain Store Retailer Award, you are voting for a specific franchisee and not the entire franchise).
- Must promote responsible pet ownership in-store and within the community (e.g., documentation, after-sales care program, care workshops, school visits, etc.).
- Assists animals and pet-owning families in the community (e.g., pet food bank, awareness of issues affecting animals in the community, assisting other animal organizations, etc.).
- Any other community assistance activities.
- The retailer’s address must be in Canada.
Criteria for Animal Service Provider Award
- Must be a 2025 member of Pets Canada
- Must be an individual offering pet services through their own registered business.
- Must promote responsible pet ownership to clients and within the community.
- Assists animals and pet-owning families in the community (e.g., pet food bank, awareness of issues affecting animals in the community, assisting other animal organizations, etc.).
- Any other community assistance activities.
- The business address must be in Canada.
Criteria for the John and Kelly Ayers Philanthropy Award (Manufacturing and Distribution Companies)
Nominees support the pet community through events and support initiatives, engage in animal advocacy issues, and promotes responsible businesses’ right to provide healthy pets to the community. Nominees also mentor emerging businesses in the pet industry.
Questions
Thank you for your interest in the Pets Canada Community Awards. We are happy to answer any questions you may have. You can reach Mia Maloney at information@petscanada.org.
