Virgin Australia has become the latest airline to introduce a scheme that rewards pet lovers for taking their animals on holiday with them.

That means that much-loved family pooches and feline companions who travel with their owners will earn 300 points on the carrier’s Velocity Frequent Flyer program.

The pet loyalty program is the first of its kind in Australia. The airline says it flies about 30,000 pets around the country a year. Points can only be accrued for accompanied pets.

Velocity Frequent Flyer has also launched a ‘cutest baby’ competition in a nationwide search to find an official pet ambassador for the program. Australians are invited to enter their dog or cat in the contest via Facebook. The winner will star in Velocity marketing campaigns and receive a pet gift pack.