MARQUETTE — For 51 years, UPAWS has been driven by love, hope, and a commitment to animals in need. Now, UPAWS invites animal lovers and advocates to help recognize the extraordinary pets and selfless individuals whose stories inspire us all, as nominees for the 2026 UPAWS Awards.

If you know of a truly exceptional pet or a compassionate person or organization dedicated to improving the lives of animals in our community, we urge you to submit their information in one of the categories listed below.

• Assisi Award: This award recognizes individuals from Marquette County who have demonstrated a longstanding commitment to animal welfare, with a focus on their service and support of UPAWS.

• Silver Tag Award: This award honors any animal from the U.P. animal that has performed a long-term service for the benefit and well-being of a person or persons.

• Purple Paw Award: This award acknowledges any animal from the U.P. who displayed an extraordinary act of courage, loyalty, or devotion during the past calendar year of 2025 that has had a profound and immediate impact on the life of a person or another animal.

• Gold Heart Award: This award shall recognize a person from Marquette County who has performed an outstanding act of compassion that had an immediate and profound impact on an animal or animals during the previous calendar year 2025.

Don’t miss the opportunity to honor these remarkable individuals and pets who have made a significant difference in the lives of animals.

Nominations will be accepted until March 1. Winners will be announced on March 20. All award winners will be invited to the Cause for Paws Gala on Saturday, April 9, to personally accept their awards at our Cause for Paws fundraiser. Email nominations to fundrasing@upaws.org in a one page or more pdf format.