Meet The Dogington Post Awards Winners!

The votes are in!

The first annual Dogington Post Awards were met with a huge response from you, our readers and fans. You told us which toys and treats your pup loves best, which dry, wet, organic, and raw foods keep him healthy and happy, which dog-loving celebrities and animal rescue organizations most inspire animal advocacy, and which websites you frequent the most for information on caring for your loyal companions.

So, without further adieu, here are the Gold, Silver, and Bronze winners in all 9 categories of The Dogington Post Awards!

Best Dog Toy
Gold Medal Winner: PrideBites Interactive Dog Toys

PrideBites are more than just a stuffed dog toy. These cleverly designed toys are tough enough for tug-o-war, feature sewn-in squeakers that won’t lose their sound even after hours of chewing and fetching, and they float, making them a great pool toy or beach bag must-have! Besides being downright adorable, PrideBites Interactive Dog Toys are durable enough for even the most active chewers, lightweight for hours of tireless play, and totally machine washable! Best of all, they promote active playtime for both you AND your dog together!

Sean Knecht, co-founder of PrideBites, LLC, says, “On behalf of the PrideBites team, I would like to thank The Dogington Post on presenting us with the award of Best Dog Toy! We are extremely thankful and humbled to receive this honor and hope to continue to make dogs happy throughout the world! Thank you for your continued support.”

Head over the PrideBites.com to buy a PrideBite Toy your dog will love!

Silver Medal Winner: Nina Ottoson Wooden Puzzle Toys
Bronze Medal Winner: Planet Dog Orbee-Tuff Glow for Good Ball

Best Dog Treat
Gold Medal Winner: Clear Conscience Pet’s Lamb Airy Bites

Lamb Airy Bites are delectable, bite-sized, melt-in-your-mouth treats made from slow-roasted, pasture-raised lamb lung – a natural source of protein, vitamins, and minerals, with a rich, meaty taste that dogs love. These treats contain no grains or glutens; no artificial preservatives, flavors, colors, or synthetic supplements; they are GMO free; and very low in carbs. What’s more, Clear Conscience Pet only sources their ingredients from sustainable family farms in the United States. The livestock at these farms are not kept in pens or cages, but are free to roam and graze among others in their own species. And, they are raised naturally, without hormones, steroids, or antibiotics.

Anthony Bennie, Clear Conscience Pet’s founder and President was thrilled for the recognition, saying, “WOW!! Thank you so much for your incredibly kind words, and for your support of CCP’s intentfully formulated and cleanly sourced products. Our goal has been to give our customers products they can use with total confidence and, of course, Clear Conscience!”

Head over the ClearConsciencePet.com to find the very best treats available for your loyal friend.

Silver Medal Winner: Zukes’ Z-Filets
Bronze Medal Winner: CloudStar’s Wag More Bark Less Wheat-Free Treats, and Jones Natural Chews’ Lambly Links.

Best Dog-Loving Celebrity
Gold Medal Winner: Ellen DeGeneres

Each week on her television show and website, the hilarious talk show host and animal advocate, Ellen DeGeneres, showcases adoptable pets, interviews other dog-loving celebrities, and shares funny videos of goofy pets – all in the name of bringing awareness to dog and cat rescue, shedding light on dog homelessness, and encouraging fans to open their homes and hearts to dogs. Co-owner of Halo Pet Foods and the Halo Pet Foundation, DeGeneres strives to provide pets with happier, healthier, longer lives by providing the best quality dog and cat foods available.

Head over the HaloPets.com to learn more about Ellen and Halo’s commitment to savings the lives of shelter dogs around the country.

Silver Medal Winner: Miley Cyrus
Bronze Medal Winner: Miranda Lambert

Best Dog Rescue
Gold Medal Winner: National Mill Dog Rescue

Established in 2007, the National Mill Dog Rescue is dedicated to rescuing puppy mill dogs and putting an end to the puppy mill industry. Theresa Strader, NMDR’s Founder and Executive Director, rescued Lily from a dog auction in Missouri. Prior to that day, Lily had spent the first seven years of her life as a commercial breeding dog, a puppy mill mom. Determined that her years of living in misery would not be in vain, Strader started NMDR, giving a voice to mill dogs across the country.

Theresa Strader, the founder of NMDR said, “I wish to extend my most sincere thanks to the Dogington Post for choosing National Mill Dog Rescue (NMDR) as the Best Dog Rescue for 2012. What a tremendous honor! As a young organization, this award makes us extra proud. We work so hard each and every day to provide the highest level of loving care for all of our dogs and to be recognized for those efforts is a very special feeling for us all.

NMDR was built on passion, determination and a great love of dogs. In our five short years, we have rescued over 7,300 puppy mill survivors. The journey has been extraordinary and could not have been accomplished without the backbreaking work and support of our volunteers and our fans, many who took the time to write and vote in the Dogington Post contest. I was so touched by the outpouring of love and support from across the country. NMDR is fortunate.

I am so grateful to the Dogington Post for your efforts in promoting adoption and animal welfare education. Thank you so much again.”

For more information about the National Mill Dog Rescue, click here.

Silver Medal Winner: Beagle Freedom Project
Bronze Medal Winner: Best Friends Animal Society, North Shore Animal League

Best Dry Dog Food
Gold Medal Winner: FreeHand

FreeHand is a mission-driven, super premium dry dog food company conceived out of social activism with a fierce dedication to both providing dogs with the highest quality food and, in the process, saving the lives of abandoned dogs in the communities where their products are sold. For each bag of dog food purchased, FreeHand donates an equal amount of dog food to shelters and rescues. With four top-quality, U.S. made, deliciously nutritious recipes, you’re guaranteed to find a FreeHand food that perfectly suits your dog’s palate, size, and energy level.

And, for every bag you buy, FreeHand donates, pound-for-pound, a bag of their premium quality RescueOne dry dog food to an animal shelter.

Tom Bagamane, a co-founder of FreeHand says, “We are honored to have been nominated over the hundreds of other pet foods in the market, many of which are well established and well financed brands.  This proves the most important point of all – that dog owners buy our product because it is good for their dogs as well as for the lives of rescue dogs in their communities.”

To learn more about FreeHand, visit www.lendafreehand.com.

Silver Medal Winner: Merrick’s Grain Free Recipes
Bronze Medal Winner: California Natural’s Grain Free Line

Best Wet Dog Food
Gold Medal Winner: PeopleFüd: Fresh Frozen Food for Dogs

PeopleFüd is not your typical canned wet dog food. So fresh, they have to freeze it, the food is made preservative free and comes to you frozen. Gently cooked prime cuts of Colorado ranched, hormone free, human grade meat, fresh vegetables, and whole grains. That’s it. Just thaw and serve! One fan even told us the PeopleFud he feeds his dogs smells better than mom’s cooking! If you care enough about your dog to make a little space in the freezer, he’ll thank you for choosing such a delicious, fresh, and healthy wet food!

As part of their dedication to dogs, PeopleFüd began their RescueOneDog Fund in December of 2011. Every treat sold by PeopleFüd adds 50 cents to the fund, which helps support shelter dogs.

For more information about PeopleFud or RescueOneDog, visit www.peoplefud.com

Silver Medal Winner: Halo Spot’s Stew
Bronze Medal Winner: Merrick Pet Care’s Classic Recipe Canned Meals, Lotus Natural Food for Pets

Best Raw Dog Food
Gold Medal Winner: Stella & Chewy’s

With an ingredient list that reads like your own healthy grocery list, Stella & Chewy’s natural raw dinners are made using only naturally-raised meats from USDA-inspected facilities, organic fruits and veggies, and healthful probiotics, essential vitamins, and minerals. They leave out all the stuff your dog doesn’t need, like grains, fillers, preservatives, and colorings.

What’s more, Stella & Chewy’s makes feeding raw more convenient than ever before with already-portioned disks – just thaw and feed! Or, if you’re feeding raw on-the-go, grab a pouch of their freeze-dried food and just add water. In addition to providing top-notch nutrition for our dogs, Stella & Chewy’s is dedicated to pet welfare and the humane treatment of animals through a myriad of charitable donations.

Marie Moody, Founder and Chairman of Stella & Chewy’s told us, “We were thrilled to find out that after thousands of fans casted their votes in the First Annual Dogington Post Awards, Stella & Chewy’s was chosen as the Gold Medal Winner for Best Raw Dog Food!  Thank you everyone!  We appreciate your support and will continue to produce the best raw products available for your loved ones.  Dogs and their owners have spoken! ”

To learn more about Stella & Chewy’s or to find where to buy, visit www.stellaandchewys.com.

Silver Medal Winner: Answers Pet Food
Bronze Medal Winner: Darwin’s Natural Pet Products

Best Organic Dog Food
Gold Medal Winner: Castor & Pollux Organix

With the introduction of their Organix line of products in 2003, Castor & Pollux made top-quality, all natural, organic pet foods easily available to dog owners around the country. Their USDA Certified Organic manufacturing facility sources only the highest quality, organic ingredients produced without chemical pesticides, synthetic fertilizers, artificial preservatives, or added growth hormones or antibiotics. What’s more, Castor & Pollux Organix recipes contain no corn or wheat, ingredients that are proven sensitive to many dogs.

Their dry dog food recipes contain 100% organic, free-range chicken as the number one ingredient, with fresh organic rice, fruits, and vegetables added to provide natural vitamins, minerals, antioxidants, and fiber. Plus, dogs LOVE the taste of Organix foods!

Greg Shearson, CEO of Merrick Pet Care, the makers of Castor & Pollux Organix told us, “Dogington Post is amazing and we’re honored to be nominated for their award. Keep up the great work for dogs and the people who love them.”

To learn more about Castor & Pollux Organix, visit CastorPolluxPet.com

Silver Medal Winner: Natura Karma
Bronze Medal Winner: PetGuard Organics

Best Dog Website
Gold Medal Winner: PetMD.com

Every dog owner, at some point in their pet’s life, will have a question or concern about their pet’s health or well-being. Whether you found a lesion on your dog’s leg, a bite on his belly, or a wiggle in his walk, PetMD will help you find answers. One of the most convenient features on the entire web, PetMD’s Symptom Checker helps you narrow down symptoms and find a solution to what ails your dog. Whether you’re there to “Ask the Vet” a question, or talk to other dog owners in their “Pets360 Forum,” visit www.PetMD.com for all things related to your dog’s health and wellness.

Silver Medal Winner: BringFido.com
Bronze Medal Winner: Petfinder.org

Each nominee for a Dogington Post Award was chosen based on strict criteria, including dedication to animal welfare, manufacturing and sourcing ethics, and promoting responsible pet ownership. For weeks, friends and fans of our nominees voted for their favorites. We’re so very proud of all of our Gold, Silver, and Bronze Award winners and hope you’ll take the time to get to know each one of them for yourselves.

Please take a moment to recognize our winners, check our their products and services, and congratulate them on a well-deserved win!