Terms & Conditions

Award Entry Rules & Regulations

The Animal Star Awards 2026

1. Definitions

In these Terms & Conditions, the following definitions apply:

“The Event” / “Award Dinner” means The Animal Star Awards 2026.

“ASA” means Animal Star Awards and Animal Star Events Ltd.

“Organiser” means Animal Star Events Ltd, United Kingdom.

“Judge” means an appointed member of the independent judging panel.

“Entrant” means any individual or organisation submitting an award entry.

“Finalist” means an entrant shortlisted by the judges.

“Winner” means the selected award recipient in a category.

“Highly Commended” means runner-up in a category.

“Attendee” means any person or business attending or registering to attend the awards.

“Venue” means Village Hotels, United Kingdom.

2. General Conditions of Entry

The Animal Star Awards are organised by Animal Star Events Ltd (UK).

By entering the awards or registering to attend the Event, all entrants and attendees confirm that they have read, understood and agree to be bound by these Terms & Conditions.

By submitting an entry, entrants consent to:

The sharing of their entry details with the judges and ASA representatives.

The transfer and processing of personal, company and project data for administration, judging and any other purpose consented to.

3. Eligibility

The Animal Star Awards are open to:

Pet-related business owners

Registered UK animal charities

Animal rescue centres

Animal conservation organisations

Individuals involved in animal welfare

Additional eligibility requirements:

Animal Charity of the Year: Must be a UK registered charity with up-to-date Charity Commission records at time of entry.

Rescue Animal of the Year: The animal must originate from a registered organisation.

Assistance Dogs: Must have completed formal training, be actively working, and hold appropriate insurance (proof may be requested).

Working Dog of the Year:

Must not be in initial training

Must be aged 18 months or older

Insurance documentation may be requested

All entrants must be aged 18 or over, except for the Young Animal Hero category, where entrants must be under 18 at time of entry.

The entrant (or their employer/trustee) must be directly associated with the organisation, business or project submitted.

4. Entry Submission Requirements

A maximum of three categories per entrant is permitted.

Only one nomination per individual is permitted.

Multiple entries in the same category are not allowed and may result in disqualification.

Entries must not exceed 500 words per section (Objectives / Strategy / Execution / Results). Supporting documents are excluded from this limit.

Entries must be submitted electronically via the official entry form.

Entries submitted via email, post, fax or hand delivery will not be accepted.

Entries must be submitted in English.

Late, incomplete or incorrectly completed entries will not be accepted.

Proof of dispatch does not constitute proof of receipt.

ASA accepts no responsibility for lost, delayed or invalid entries.

5. Changes & Withdrawals

Entries may be withdrawn in writing prior to the awards evening.

Following withdrawal, entrants may not use ASA branding or nominee badges.

Any material change to a business or organisation (e.g. name change, closure, employment change) must be reported prior to judging. Failure to notify ASA may invalidate the entry.

6. Branding & Logo Usage

ASA logos and winner/finalist badges are copyrighted.

Logos must not be altered or used on merchandise.

Unauthorised use may result in revocation of awards.

Logos may only be used in connection with the category awarded and must display the relevant year.

If nominated, finalists and winners must display the official digital badge on their website and/or social media.

7. Judging Process

Entries are judged by an independent panel of industry experts.

ASA does not influence judging decisions.

The judges’ decision is final. No correspondence or feedback will be provided.

Judges reserve the right to:

Reject entries without explanation

Amend category placements

Withdraw categories

Decline to award a winner if the standard is insufficient

Disqualify entries that are false, misleading or lack required documentation

Final judging for 2026 takes place approximately three weeks prior to the Event.

Up to 15 finalists may be shortlisted per category.

8. Awards Night & Attendance

Winners and Highly Commended recipients will be announced during the regional awards dinner in 2026.

Results will not be disclosed prior to the Event.

Finalists are not provided complimentary tickets.

Finalists are invited to purchase at least one ticket to attend.

Tickets are non-refundable.

Instalment plans are goodwill arrangements and not credit facilities.

If the Event is rescheduled:

It will take place within six months of the original date.

Substitute attendees may be nominated up to seven days prior.

If cancelled and not rescheduled within six months, a refund limited to ticket cost paid will be offered.

9. Liability

ASA accepts no responsibility for:

Travel, accommodation or personal expenses

Loss, injury, death or financial loss outside its reasonable control

Personal belongings

ASA reserves the right to alter or reschedule the Event, change venues or amend these Terms at any time.

Force majeure events include (but are not limited to): extreme weather, strikes, war, terrorism, government restrictions or venue withdrawal.

10. Conduct

ASA reserves the right to:

Disqualify or remove any entrant, finalist, winner, or category if their conduct brings the awards into disrepute.

Revoke any award and withdraw branding rights in the event of a breach of these terms, without obligation to provide further explanation.

Entrants in the Dog Trainer/Behaviourist or Dog Walking or anyone working directly with any animal and entered into the awards must NOT use prong collars, shock collars, e-collars, or any aversive training methods. Evidence of such practices will result in immediate disqualification and removal from the awards.

All finalists are expected to behave in a professional manner throughout the event process abuse of any kind directed towards the awards organiser, judges etc will not be tolerated.

11. Alcohol & Allergies

Alcohol is available for purchase at the bar. Attendees are responsible for their conduct and compliance with UK drink-driving laws.

Food may be prepared in environments handling nuts. ASA and the Venue cannot guarantee absence of cross-contamination.

12. Media, Photography & Intellectual Property

By entering or attending, entrants grant ASA exclusive rights to use:

Names

Logos

Images

Video footage

Entry content

For pre-event, onsite and post-event marketing and promotion of ASA events.

Photography and filming will take place. By attending, you consent to being photographed and filmed.

13. Accommodation

ASA does not manage hotel bookings. Attendees must book directly with the Venue.
ASA may provide discount codes where available, but responsibility for booking accuracy and amendments remains with the attendee.

14. Data Protection

Entrants consent to their details being stored on the Animal Star Events Ltd database for event administration and relevant future communications.

ASA does not sell personal data.
Attendees may opt out of marketing communications by contacting: animalstarevents@gmail.com

If an attendee authorises a badge scan at the Event, they consent to their details being shared with that organisation.

15. Security & Identification

Entry to the Event requires:

A valid event ticket

Photographic identification (Driver’s Licence or Passport) matching registration details

No access will be granted without both.
No passes will be issued on the day.

Identification will be checked but not copied or recorded.

16. Governing Law

These Terms & Conditions are governed by the laws of England and Wales.
The courts of England and Wales shall have exclusive jurisdiction.

17. Third-Party Media Claims

The Animal Star Awards has not partnered with any third-party organisation offering paid media coverage. Any such approaches should be declined.

18. Copyright

© 2026 Animal Star Awards
Brought to you by Animal Star Events Ltd