Introducing Best in Show: All Stars
Best in Show is all about celebrating amazing shelter pets—but not every star needs a stage to shine.
Best in Show: All Stars is a special category dedicated to the pets adopted from The Animal Foundation who have already found their homes and changed lives along the way.
One incredible pet adopted from The Animal Foundation will be crowned our All Star Champion and take home a $1,000 cash prize—plus some very well-deserved bragging rights.
This is a chance to celebrate the everyday heroes of adoption: the ones already curled up on couches, stealing snacks, and making life better in a million little ways.
One All Star Will Take It All
We received hundreds of incredible submissions, each one filled with love, resilience, and unforgettable stories.
Truly. We wish we could have shared them all.
After careful review, our team selected 30 All Stars to move forward to public voting. Each one represents the powerful impact of adoption and the bond between people and their pets.
Out of these finalists, one pet will be named our 2026 All Star Champion, winning a $1,000 cash prize and some very deserved bragging rights. The winner is determined by public vote and will be announced during our 23rd annual Best in Show!
Meet The Finalists
These are your All Stars.
Take a moment to explore their stories, scroll through their photos, and meet the pets who made it to the final round. Voting closes April 20, 2026!
Stevie: Best in Show All Stars
Stevie Nicks, but Make Her a Pigeon I have been in wildlife rescue, rehabilitation, and conservation my entire life,…
Miguela: Best in Show All Stars
She Shows Me What’s Possible Every Day It’s hard just writing one paragraph describing why adopting my disabled cat…
Tweety: Best in Show All Stars
The Dog Who Put the Pieces Back Together After losing our family dog in a car accident in October…
Duece: Best in Show All Stars
The One Who Held Me Together They say that dogs are man’s best friend, but for me, Duece has…
Terk: Best in Show All Stars
The Dog Who Turned Pain Into Joy I adopted Terk, *Bullet* from the Animal Foundation in 2022. He was…
Smoke: Best in Show All Stars
The Dog Who Knew Before I Did I am a dv survivor with c-ptsd and migraines that blur my…
Raider: Best in Show All Stars
He Taught Me What Love Can Do Bringing home my shelter puppy changed my life in ways I never…
Ranger: Best in Show All Stars
No Off Switch. No Boundaries. No Regrets. I adopted Ranger from The Animal Foundation thinking I was getting a…
Lola: Best in Show All Stars
The Star of the Show (and She Knows It) We had been looking at the dogs listed for adoption…
Winston: Best in Show All Stars
Every Day Is Winston’s Best Day Ever Winston (formerly Linus)is our third Boxer but our first rescue! Our last…
Norman: Best in Show All Stars
The Calm I Didn’t Know I Needed My name is Yoseline, and last summer, my partner Trevor and I…
Mocha: Best in Show All Stars
From Quiet Moments to a Full Heart Growing up, I never had the chance to have a pet. As…
Vote for Your Favorite All Star
You get one vote per email… so make it count. Choose your All Star wisely! The winner of Best in Show All Stars will be announced at our 23rd annual Best in Show!
The All Star Timeline
Here’s how the All Stars journey unfolds—from submissions to crowning the winner:
March 23
The spotlight is officially on! Submit your pet’s photos and story for a chance to be featured.
April 6
Last call to enter your All Star. Make sure your pet’s story is in before submissions close!
April 13
It’s time to rally your fans! If your pet is selected for voting, share your story and encourage friends, family, and fellow animal lovers to vote. Voting will close on April 20.
April 26
One All Star will take the title (and the $1,000 prize!). The winner will be revealed during Best in Show.
See It All Come Together at Best in Show
All Stars is just one part of the celebration.
Join us at Best in Show, The Animal Foundation’s annual dog show and community event, where adoptable pets take the spotlight and compete for the title of “Best in Show.”
Sunday, April 26 • Thomas & Mack Center • Las Vegas
Part Dog Show.
Watch 20+ adoptable shelter dogs compete, strut the teal carpet, and win over the crowd.
Part Adoption Event.
Every contestant is available for adoption, giving you the chance to meet — and possibly take home — your new best friend.
All Heart.
As The Animal Foundation’s largest annual fundraiser, Best in Show fuels lifesaving care and second chances for animals across our community.
