While you are enjoying the lazy, hazy, crazy days of summer, don’t forget to set aside some time to sort through your best pet pix and get out the camera to take some new shots of your furry family members. The Butler County Humane Society’s annual Pet Calendar Photo Contest doesn’t officially kick off until July 1, but the organization is already taking submissions for the 2018 edition of the calendar, the BCHS’s biggest, most ambitious fundraiser each year.

“We are excited about getting another calendar project underway, and the sooner we get your great pet pix, the better,” says Kandys Killough, acting president of the BCHS.

Entries are not limited to canines and felines, either. Whether they are scaly, feathered or furry, your favorite critters’ photos are welcome.

“We’ve had guinea pigs, regular pigs, rabbits, squirrels, chickens, lizards, horses, ducks and cows all featured in our calendars . . . if it’s your pet and it’s a good picture, send it in,” says Killough. “We do not discriminate.”

“Once again, there will be fun monthly categories in which pets can vie for a spot, along with the cover collage and the potpourri collages in the back of the calendar.”

Possible categories include: Best Buddies (animal pals), Me and My Human (people and their pets), Festive Pets (Christmas/Halloween/other holidays/birthdays), Most School Spirit, Funniest, Cutest Kids (young pets), Sterling Seniors (older pets), Best Eyes, Best Smiles, Most Adventurous, Most Beautiful Felines, Handsomest Canines and Most Unique Pets.

There is a $7 entry fee per photo entered, with no limit on the number of photos submitted by an individual. Digital images of at least 1 MB in size or larger are preferred; however, hard copy submissions are also acceptable as long as they are sharp, high-quality images. Digital images should be submitted along with  the names of and brief descriptions of your pets and your email/phone number to: angieklong60@gmail.com

Hard copy photos (with same information included) may be placed in an envelope along with payment and dropped off at The Greenville Advocate office marked “Attention: BCHS Photo Contest” or mailed to: BCHS Photo Contest, P.O. Box 264, Greenville, AL 36037.

Payment for digital images submitted should be sent to the same address above; please indicate that payment is for the photo contest and that photos were submitted online.

The deadline for all submissions is Monday, July 31. Winners will be notified this autumn via email and on Facebook once all photos have been gone through and judged. The 2018 BCHS pet calendars are scheduled to arrive by the first week of December in time for holiday gift-giving.

“We are looking forward to seeing all your wonderful photos once again,” said Killough. “The entry fees help defray the cost of publishing this beautiful calendar, and our price is still only $10 per calendar. That makes it a very affordable gift that gives back to help our county’s homeless animals.”

The BCHS underwrites the cost of spaying and neutering of all animals adopted from the Greenville Shelter, as well as assisting with supplies and medical treatment for the shelter’s residents. Members also foster homeless animals awaiting adoption or rescue commitment, help transport rescue animals and provide transportation to low-cost spay/neuter surgery available for the pets of all Butler County residents, regardless of income.

For additional information about the pet calendar photo contest or the BCHS, email angieklong60@gmail.com or call (334) 382-5145 and leave a message.