Is Your Pup Born to Be a Star? One Hotel Company Is Looking for a Picture Paw-fect Pet Ambassador

Although National Pet Day is officially celebrated on April 11, pet owners know that every day is a celebration of the furriest creatures in your life. But if you think your pooch has an unmatched star quality and deserves plenty of praise and a hefty dose of stardom, one new contest is for you. Baymont by Wyndham is kicking off its first-ever search for the “Baymont Buddy of the Year,” and the hotel company is on the hunt for an all-star pup to be its new brand ambassador.

Any pup that resides in the U.S. is eligible, but the criteria is certainly a bit stacked — in the post announcing the contest, the company shared, “Is your pup well-behaved? Friendly? Outgoing? Paw-fect! Our ideal star will be playful but well-trained, great with strangers, and a ham in front of the camera.”

As for what the winning pooch will get, well, it’s time to roll out the red carpet. The chosen pup  will “become the face of pet-friendly travel with Baymont, participating in a professional photo shoot and starring in an upcoming digital marketing campaign,” while the dog’s parents will receive a free weekend getaway, complimentary Wyndham Rewards Diamond level membership, and a paycheck for $2,500. It sounds like the royal treatment fit for any deserving pup out there.

In a statement announcing the contest, David Unger, brand leader and vice president of operations, Baymont by Wyndham, shared, “So many travelers are eager to get back on the road this year, including lots of first-time dog owners. For some, the idea of traveling with a new pet can be a bit daunting — but with Baymont, it doesn’t have it be. Our Baymont Buddy of the Year will help us deliver that message and show travelers that, with hundreds of pet-friendly hotels, Baymont is ready to welcome the whole family. After all, that’s what hometown hospitality is all about.”

Interested applicants can send along five (or fewer) photos of your pooch to the email address listed, along with a brief description (250 words or less) of why your pup deserves to be the Baymont Buddy of the Year. Wyndham is accepting applications through May 4, 2021, with the winning candidate to be announced later this year.