The Human Animal Bond Research Institute (HABI) has announced that nominations are now open for its Human Animal Bond Innovation Awards, a program that recognizes individuals, companies and organizations from outside the pet care industry for programs, policies and initiatives that support the human-animal bond and advance pet-friendly society.
"The Human Animal Bond Innovation Awards have gone to hotels, insurance companies, law enforcement organizations, television programs, community groups, technology companies and filmmakers," said Steven Feldman, president of HABRI. "HABRI is inviting nominations from all corners of society as we seek to highlight those who are honoring the human-animal bond and reinforcing the vital role pets play in our lives."
Nominations can be submitted in six categories:
Pet-Inclusive Culture: Recognizes companies, organizations or institutions creating a pet-inclusive culture within communities, groups and/or workplaces.
Public Service: Recognizes organizations with programs to protect and strengthen the human-animal bond in their communities.
Pet-Inclusive Infrastructure: Recognizes companies, organizations or institutions developing transportation, architecture or environments to safeguard and strengthen the human-animal bond.
Media: Recognizes an individual, media outlet or creative multimedia content that educates people about key aspects of the human-animal bond.
Technology: Recognizes companies, organizations or institutions leveraging technology to strengthen the human-animal bond, including digital tools, data-driven solutions or tech-enabled programs.
International: Recognizes companies, organizations or institutions outside the United States that advance the human-animal bond through pet-inclusive culture, programs, policies, infrastructure, technology or media initiatives.
Nominations are open to the public and can be submitted at habri.org/hab-innovation-awards. Winners will be selected by an expert committee of pet care leaders.
The submission deadline is May 22, 2026. Winners will be announced at an awards ceremony at SuperZoo in Las Vegas in August.
