Pet Photo Calendar Contest Showcases Local Pets While Raising Money for Homeless Animals

"A Photo Competition?  I'll pose!!"

Uh oh!  A pet photo contest!  Oh no, that means my human will be following me everywhere I go so he can catch me in some cute pose and photograph it.  But, I am on to him- once he gets all set, I move.   I love it- I think he's caught on to me though because he just gives me this look!

Here's the details of this really cool photography contest:

The Animal Welfare League of Alexandria (AWLA) is once again holding the annual Pet Photo Calendar Contest to benefit the homeless animals of the Vola Lawson Animal Shelter. The 2013 Calendar Contest, launched on June 1, allows pet owners to upload photos of their pets online and solicit votes for their companion animal. At the end of the voting period, the pet with the most votes wins the grand prize of a professional photo shoot with a pet photographer and the coveted cover photo on the AWLA's 2013 Calendar. Each vote costs $1 and all proceeds are used by the League to provide shelter, care, and find permanent homes for thousands of animals each year.

Between June 1 and July 31, registration and voting takes place online at Alexandria Animals Calendar Contest. Votes can also be submitted to the League by mail or over the phone. In addition to the grand prize, ten runners-up receiving the highest number of votes will be featured in the calendar as pets-of-the-month. Pets that receive 250 votes or more but are not in the top ten will be entered in a wildcard drawing for the remaining two monthly placements. All pets that are registered by July 31 will have their photo included in the calendar, and all registrants will receive a complimentary copy of the 2013 Calendar.

The AWLA's 2013 Calendar will be sold at the Vola Lawson Animal Shelter and a wide range of businesses in Northern Virginia beginning in November of 2012. Last year's Calendar Contest raised $23,000 for the homeless animals in need. More than 730 copies of the calendar were sold, raising and additional $9,750 for the League. Acting Executive Director Mary Beth Mount says, “The Calendar Contest is something the League and our supporters look forward to every year. It's a fun way for animal lovers to show off their adorable pets while supporting an important cause. We especially enjoy seeing the AWLA alumni that take part in the contest, and it's always interesting to see the friendly competition that develops when several pets are vying to be our next cover model.”

Last year's Calendar Contest winner, Bailey, is a Hurricane Gustav survivor from Waveland, Mississippi. His adopters, Suzanne and Trey Goulden, were thrilled to learn that Bailey had won the contest but were slightly apprehensive about the professional photo shoot. “At first, I was a little nervous,” says Mrs. Goulden, “because Bailey does not like to have his picture taken. But the photo session went really well and the photographer captured several great shots.” When the calendar was printed with Bailey’s smiling face on the cover, it didn’t take long for him to become a local celebrity. Goulden says, “It was really exciting to walk down the street with Bailey and have neighbors recognize him from the cover. The calendar was even sold at his 4101 Eisenhower Avenue, Alexandria, VA 22304 | 703.746.4774 | Alexandria Animals

"LET ME GET MY HAIR DONE FIRST!!!"