ST. AUGUSTINE, Fla. – The St. Augustine Humane Society has launched its fourth annual pet photo contest and calendar fundraiser to support the nonprofit's mission of promoting healthy lifelong pet ownership and reducing the rate of relinquishment to shelters.
The "Hot Pets and Hunky Heroes" calendar will feature local pets alongside heroes from St. Johns County Sheriff's Office, St. Johns County Fire and Rescue, St. Augustine Beach Police, St. Augustine Fire Department, St. Johns County Animal Control, and Flagler Hospital.
Recommended Videos
Pet owners can supply their pet photos in the competition for a spot in the 2015 calendar. Votes will be collected online and the top 13 pets will have an opportunity to appear in the calendar and win prizes.
The winning pets will be paired up with local police officers, fire fighters, and other heroes for a professional photo shoot with award-winning photographer Addison Fitzgerald, who has again donated his talents to the cause.
Once pet photos are submitted online or by mail, entrants can campaign for votes by phone, email, and Facebook. The minimum charge of $1 per vote is a donation to the St. Augustine Humane Society.
This year, there will be an additional contest for the Hunky Heroes, as 13 men in uniform will be competing for votes to receive placement on the calendar's cover. The full-color calendar featuring the winning hot pets and hunky heroes will be available in October.
Local artist Maribel Angel is donating her expertise and graphic design skills to create the calendar's hero motif.
Sponsorship opportunities are available for the calendar. Each calendar month will feature a professional photograph of a local pet and hero, as well as two spaces for a business logo and sponsorship recognition. Sponsorships begin at $100 with the opportunity to pre-purchase calendars at half price and the business logo will also be included on the Humane Society's website.
Submission into the photo contest must be received by midnight August 21. The online voting period ends at 9 p.m. on August 23. For more information, call 904-829-2737 or email admin1@staughumane.org. Visit the website To view official rules, visit pinuppaws.com.
"Last year, the calendar fundraiser raised $15,000 with 160 participants. Our success with the calendar shows how many caring pet owners there are in St. Johns County," said Carolyn Smith, executive director of the St. Augustine Humane Society. "The 2014 calendar winner Daisy, a Rhodesian Ridgeback, is our current hot pets mascot and will serve as a role model for responsible pet ownership and fan favorite in St. Johns County."
Approximately 1,500 full-size color Hot Pets and Hunky Heroes calendars will be printed to depict the human-animal bond. Top photos and contest winners for the calendar will be determined with public voting. Winners will be notified and asked to provide a short biography about the pet. The calendars will be available for $10 each starting in October.