Got a Photogenic Pet? Calendar Contest Ends Aug. 31

Got a favorite photo of Miss Kitty or Fido?

If your photo is really good, you can earn some cash for yourself and fame for your pet. The is accepting submissions for its 2012 Suncoast Animal League calendar until Aug. 31.

Judges pick the top 12 photos, one for each month of the year. What's cool about the contest is that every qualified photo submitted will appear on the calendar. 

“In the past all the pictures were a collage at the back of the calendar, but this year all of the entries will have a place on the cover of one of the months — obviously smaller than the main picture — but you’ll have a prominent area for your pet,” said Rick Chaboudy, Executive Director of the Suncoast Animal League.

The top three photos receive gift cards in amounts ranging from $25 to $75.

Chaboudy said the judges try to be fair about cats and dogs — picking an equal amount to be featured. But wildcards also have a fair shot: “We’ve had rats, rabbits, and birds submitted before,” said Chaboudy, “But we haven’t had anything reptilian yet.” So, if you have a snake, here’s your chance for that groundbreaking photo.

If you would like to take a photo of your pet to enter in the contest, Chaboudy has a few words of advice, “Have fun with it! Some people really go out of their way to get a color scheme, or they’ll put their animal in a field of flowers. The more color you can have in the background the better.”

On the subject of background, Chaboudy does have some warnings. “Be really careful what’s in the background. Sometimes we’ll get really cute pictures, then there’s a bathroom or something weird in the back,” said Chaboudy.

Particular backgrounds can also make your photo more desirable for a particular month. Chaboudy confessed that the judges, “love holiday themes,” so you may want to dig out those Santa hats and bunny ears. Color is also key — with brighter colors often chosen for summer months.

This calendar, beside possibly immortalizing your pet, can be further personalized. You can have sentimental sayings or titles added to individual dates to help you remember anniversaries and birthdays.

Be sure to check out the official rules for the contest. It costs $35 to enter.

The contest submission form also has a section for you to order a calendar if you desire. The 2012 Suncoast Animal League calendars cost $12 plus shipping. 

The Suncoast Animal League is a Palm Harbor-based, non-profit, no-kill shelter providing rescued pets with medical treatment and a safe social environment while the animals wait to be adopted. 

Call 727-786-1330.