2025 Tally Top Pet Check Presentation
Wylie, a tennis-ball-loving dog who was adopted by owners Ann Hudgins and Hugh Hartsfield at The Stone Crab Festival, won hearts and votes as this year’s Tally Top Pet winner, benefiting Be the Solution.
On July 8, 2025, Wylie’s victory was celebrated at the Tally Top Pet check presentation. The event, hosted by Tallahassee Magazine, took place at The Edison, where a check for $26,350 was presented to Be The Solution, a nonprofit that works to combat pet overpopulation and euthanasia in Tallahassee and the Big Bend region through spay and neuter vouchers.
Wylie, accompanied by Ann Hudgins and “grandparents” Al and Roberta Hudgins, posed for more photos and enjoyed meeting the Tallahassee Magazine and Be The Solution teams.
“We are super excited for him. He is the joy of our life. For 9 years we have had him running around and we’re glad we have been able to share his joy with everyone in Tallahassee,” said Hudgins.
“The July issue of Tallahassee Magazine with Wylie on the cover speaks to his contagious energy and joy of life. With his head out of the window, letting the wind blow through his hair, he reminds us all of those great car rides down to the coast, and there’s nothing more inspiring to be present than our pets,” said publisher McKenzie Burleigh. “This cover has been one of our most popular covers this year, and it is because of this incredibly loving dog who reminds us to get out and enjoy the beautiful city we have here in Tallahassee”.
“Be the Solution creates opportunities for people to own animals in a safe way,” so that they don’t reproduce unnecessarily, creating animal populations “that then end up in the street, and in turn in the shelters,” said Burleigh. “This nonprofit has made a tremendous impact in the reduction of animals in shelters, and it has been our honor to partner with it over the years.”
Gerry Phipps, founder of Be the Solution and the mastermind behind Tally Top Pet initiative, graciously accepted the check at the check presentation ceremony and shared her sentiments on the impact her organization has had over the years to reduce euthanasia in Tallahassee.
The 2026 Tally Top Pet contest will begin in January 2026. Stay tuned to all Tallahassee Magazine channels and visit TallahasseeMagazine.com/Tally-Top-Pet to nominate your pet in the new year.
