Last year’s Pet of the Year winner, assistance dog Belle with owner Amee Tomkins baby Olly.

Leading pet emergency service Vets Now has unveiled its search for the 'Pet of the Year'.

Nominations are open to anyone and organisers are calling on vets and nurses from across the profession to send in nominations

A key campaign in Vets Now’s consumer marketing plans, the successful awards are now in their third year.

The awards look to shine a light on the special bond between pets and their owners and the brave stories from animals across the UK. Previous award winners have been support dogs who have helped transform the lives of their owners - providing a lifeline of support and companionship. 

Vets Now were able to drive a 300% uplift in entries to the awards last year through a successful marketing and PR campaign. The campaign garnered over 100 pieces of press coverage in regional, national titles and international outlets with the like of the BBC, Daily Mail, Channel 4’s Steph’s Packed Lunch and the New York Post all covering the story. 

New for 2024, Vets Now has partnered with multi-award-winning national charity StreetVet for this year’s ‘Pet of the Year’ Awards.  

For every valid entry received, Vets Now will donate £1 to the charity. StreetVet provides free essential veterinary care and services to the pets of those people experiencing homelessness, who may otherwise have to go without the treatment they need and deserve. 

The winning nomination of Pet of the Year will receive a £500 voucher to spend on a pet friendly getaway at PetsPyjamas, a bespoke ‘Pet of the Year’ trophy and a personalised bundle of vet-recommended pet treats. 

Rike Jones, Director of Marketing at Vets Now, said: “As the country’s leading emergency vets and pet equivalent to A&E, our vets and nurses treat and care for thousands of brave pets every year so we were well placed to launch ‘Pet of the Year’ awards.  Not only do the awards shine a light on the remarkable animal bravery that our clinicians see every day and night but are a celebration of our wonderful teams and their dedication to be there for pets in their greatest time of need.

 “Back for a third year, the Vets Now ‘Pet of the Year’ Awards provide a brilliant opportunity to nominate pets that deserve some extra-special recognition. From cats that may have made a miraculous recovery, remarkable dogs that have shown resilience, to bunnies that have been outstanding companions – we are looking forward to celebrating the important role pets play for so many people across the UK.” 

Collette Sheaff, Head of Marketing at StreetVet, said: “StreetVet is delighted to have been chosen as the charity partner for Vets Now ‘Pet of the Year’ 2024 awards. The donations that we will receive from Vets Now through people nominating their pets will help StreetVet continue our vital work in providing free veterinary care to the pets of those experiencing homelessness across the UK. By helping the pets, we are helping their owners too. Unfortunately, the need for our services continues to rise significantly, especially since the cost-of-living crisis. Funding is crucial in allowing us to meet this increase in demand, so all the funds raised will have a significant impact in helping us to continue the work we do.” 

Last year’s awards saw record entries, with overall winner, Staffordshire Bull Terrier Belle, crowned after her remarkable story stood out to the Vets Now judging panel. 

The UK’s first ‘doggy midwife’, as a trained assistance dog Belle helped to transform the life of her owner Amee Tomkins, from Milton Keynes 

Having helped Amee gain confidence to become a mum, Belle was the first dog allowed into the hospital labour ward at Milton Keynes University when she gave birth to son Olly last May. 

Winner of Vets Now Pet of the Year 2023, Amee Tomkins said: “When Belle won, I couldn’t believe it! I was so proud of her, and I was so happy her hard work had been recognised. Since winning Vets Now Pet of the Year we have been in many magazines, news articles and papers. We have also been on the TV. We were invited to work with the Kennel Club charitable foundation for their “dogs with jobs” project where we went to famous photographer Rankin’s studio and had a shoot which was then displayed in the London Saatchi gallery!” 

Owners can nominate their own pets, or the public or veterinary profession can nominate pets they know or have treated.

The awards will be open for nominations until 6th May 2024. 

Two runners up will also be chosen, each receiving a £100 voucher and a hamper of vet-approved treats. 

To nominate a pet for Vets Now’s ‘Pet of the Year’, visit - https://www.vets-now.com/pet-of-the-year/.