From retail leaders to vegan products: the pet sector’s latest award winners

Recent industry awards recognized pet companies and products for excellence in customer service, marketing, innovation, retail and sustainability. GlobalPETS takes a look.

Austria’s Best Customer Service

ServiceValue’s Austria’s Best Customer Service ranking recognized 6 companies in the pet retailer category, with Fressnapf taking the top spot. It was followed by PERRO, Kölle Zoo and ZooRoyal. Das Futterhaus and zoologo also made the list.

In the garden center category, Dehner ranked among the top performers. Meanwhile, Bauhaus and Hagebau, both of which sell pet food and supplies, were recognized in the DIY center category.

The ranking is based on 66,000 consumer reviews covering 544 retailers and service providers across 38 sectors. The study was conducted in cooperation with the SZ Institute, the digital think tank and commercial projects unit of the German newspaper Süddeutsche Zeitung.

America’s Retail Champion

Jess Berger, Founder and CEO of the pet wellness brand Bundle x Joy, has received the 2026 America’s Retail Champion award from the National Retail Federation (NRF).

The program honors retailers nominated by state retail associations and industry peers. This year, 50 professionals from 27 states were named America’s Retail Champions.

The 2026 edition, which marks the program’s 8th installment, was sponsored by fintech company Affirm.

PETA Vegan Award 2026

Animal rights organization People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA) Germany recognized 12 products in the companion animal category of the 2026 PETA Vegan Awards. Winners were selected by a jury based on taste, appearance, ergonomics, comfort, innovation and clear vegan labeling.

In pet food and nutrition, Vegan4Dogs received the Best Vegan Dry Dog Food award for Greta, while VEGCAT’s Pure Bites was recognized for cat treats and noms+’s Joint Mix won for dietary supplements.

The pet apparel and accessories winners included New Orchard’s Dog Hoodie, Stuch’s dog harnesses, Willi Wiggle’s Pure Cork Dog Leash and Fräulein Lotti’s Buttercup Bandana.

Other recognized products included MOUNTAINDOG’s Emma dog blanket, zooplus’ Mochi cat bed, Lumiies’ twisty ball, Kätts’ cat wand and LucyBalu’s tofu cat litter.

Cannes Lions International Festival of Creativity 2026

Mars Petcare received 10 Lions and saw 33 campaigns shortlisted at the 2026 Cannes Lions International Festival of Creativity, an annual global event for the advertising, marketing and creative industries. Of those, 14 came from its pet nutrition business for the Pedigree and Whiskas brands.

Pedigree’s Caramelo campaign picked up 5 Lions: 1 Bronze in Health & Wellness and 1 Gold, 1 Silver and 2 Bronze awards in Creative Effectiveness.

Mars Petcare Global President Marc Carena said the campaign promotes responsible pet adoption and encourages more people in Brazil to adopt mixed-breed dogs, which are less likely to find homes than purebred dogs.

2026 Mindful Awards

US-based dog food and treats manufacturer Full Moon Pet won Pet Product of the Year at the 2026 Mindful Awards for its Pure Protein Air-Dried Dog Food.

The judges cited the product’s high-quality ingredients, responsibly sourced proteins and gentle air-drying process, which helps preserve flavor and nutritional value.

The awards recognize consumer packaged goods (CPG) companies, products and services promoting transparency, sustainability and healthier choices. According to the Mindful Awards, this year’s edition attracted thousands of nominations from around the world.

PIF Innovation Award 2026

Pet adoption app Only Rescues won the 2026 Pet Industry Federation (PIF) Innovation Award, presented during the Business of Pets Conference in the UK.

Founded in 2022, the app matches prospective owners with rescue cats and dogs through a swipe-based interface and a personalized pet quiz. It received the highest score from conference delegates, who evaluated 14 finalists on innovation, market potential and overall impact.

Petosu’s DigDrum, a digging enrichment device, finished second, while HayPigs’ Build Your Own Guinea Pig Village placed third. Nigel Baker, CEO of the Pet Industry Federation, said the award highlights businesses tackling real-world challenges with new ideas.