Home View Entries Prizes Rules About Us Sign In

Contest has ended. Mountain Time

Durango Powder Pet Photo Contest

What is a powder pet you ask? A powder pet is an animal who loves the snow, skiing, snowboarding or any other fun indoor or outdoor activity. We want to see all of your powder pets!

The top vote-getter will receive a custom commissioned snowboard art piece featuring the winning pet, created by internationally collected artist Ray Phillips. The first place winner will also get the beautiful sculpture pictured below entitled "Belly Rub, Please" by Suzie Grimm.

Ray Phillips

Artist rendering of winning snowboard

Suzie Grimm

The Powder Pet Photo Contest was created in partnership with our Powder Hounds Snowboard Art Auction. The art auction features snowboard art created by local artists and placed up for auction in a week long online silent auction. We understand that not everyone is interested in bidding on snowboards or playing the auction game, so we created a fun, interactive, pet friendly photo contest for all to join!

100% of the proceeds from both the photo contest and the art auction will benefit the homeless animals in our care. Funds raised will help finance the shelter's new animal transportation vehicle and supplies for our shelter pets!

Vote for your favorite powder pet! The photo contest runs from 4:00:00 PM (Mountain Time) on Saturday, February 18, 2023 to 11:59:00 PM (Mountain Time) on Saturday, March 11, 2023.

Don't forget to check out all the snowboard art up for auction. Visit our auction site to view all boards up for auction and place your bids online or "buy it now" before 11:59:00 PM (Mountain Time) on Saturday, March 11, 2023. 100% of the proceeds benefit the homeless pets in La Plata County!

Prizes

First Place (valued at $2,545):

The pet voted Durango's Powder Pet will receive:

A custom commission snowboard art piece featuring the winning pet, created by internationally collected artist Ray Phillips. ($2,000 value)
Creature Comforts gift basket
pranaDOGS Canine Behavior Assessment. Includes 90-minute in-person session and 2 virtual follow-up sessions. Valued at $145
Sculpture entitled "Belly Rub, Please" by the incredible artist, Suzie Grimm
*Artist rendering of winning snowboard."Belly Rub, Please" by Suzie Grimm

Second Place:

The pet with the second highest amount of votes will receive:

One Round of Golf for Four Persons at Glacier Valley Golf Course (includes cart fees), a $100 gift card to use in the pro shop, and a $100 gift card to Glacier's Mineshaft Bar & Grill (graciously gifted by Glacier Club)!
Creature Comforts gift basket
pranaDOGS Canine Behavior Assessment. Includes 90-minute in-person session and 2 virtual follow-up sessions. Valued at $145

Third Place:

The pet with the third highest amount of votes will receive:

LPCHS merch basket. Valued at $200
Creature Comforts gift certificate
pranaDOGS Canine Behavior Assessment. Includes 90-minute in-person session and 2 virtual follow-up sessions. Valued at $145

Prize Awarding

La Plata County Humane Society will notify the top three vote recipients via telephone or email during the week of March 13th 2023. If the winner cannot be contacted within seven (7) days after the date of the first attempt and after multiple attempts thereafter, La Plata County Humane Society may select an alternate winner from the next highest vote receiver. Winning a prize is contingent upon being compliant with these Official Rules.

Prize Sponsors

La Plata County Humane Society

La Plata County Humane Society (LPCHS) has been helping animals since 1971. Based in Durango, CO and serving the four corners region, our organization enables 50 team members and cares for around 3,000 homeless and neglected pets per year. Our mission is committed to protecting and enhancing the lives of companion animals by preventing overpopulation, providing medical and behavioral services in a safe environment, and educating the community on the humane treatment of animals.

In 2022 we conducted 52 spay/neuter clinics, completed 12 emergency medical procedures on various animals in our care, and Animal Protection Officers received 5,551 calls. Because we care for an average of 3,000 animals per year and are not funded by any state or federal entity, we raise funds through community partnerships, corporate sponsorships, grant writing, sales from our thrift store, and donations from community members. LPCHS is a 501(c)(3) charitable organization. Thank you for helping us, help them, one paw at a time.

Visit lpchumanesociety.org to view adoptable pets and services.

Follow LPCHS on Facebook, Instagram and Tik Tok

Ray Phillips

Artist rendering of winning snowboard

Bio and Gallery Information:
Artist Ray Phillips has always held a passion for creating art. Like many artists, Ray's artistic journey began as a young child. At age 10 he enrolled at the prestigious Houston Museum of Fine Art School now the Glassell School of Art. As an adult, Ray focused his artistic attention on graphic design and music; playing in a band at night and crafting ad campaigns, posters, t-shirts, logos and branding by day. Ray soon rose to become a partner/creative director at a design and marketing firm in Houston, Texas; yet the longing to create fine art was still present. Ray began his painting career in his free time, integrating skills and techniques he learned as a designer. His work has evolved into an amalgam of typography, abstract composition, collage/mixed media and hidden messages. Each piece is initiated in Ray's mind and translated to canvas - as much an intellectual pursuit as creative endeavor. Ray is an internationally collected artist with representation in fine art galleries in Vail, Aspen, Telluride, Houston, Austin and Dallas, as well as Canada and Mexico. Read more at rayphillips.com.

Gallery Representation:

Suzie Grimm

Bio Information:

Suzie Grimm is a sculptor living in Durango, Colorado where she retired and began creating with clay in 2017. Suzie worked as an eye doctor in the South Pacific, Middle East, Asia, Europe and the US, gathering inspiration that she is now drawing on.

She works with a variety of clay mediums to create joyful, sometimes mischievous, and often provocative representations of animals and people.

Suzie enjoys trying new materials and techniques. Each of her creations is an experiment inspired by shared expertise from many local artists, instructors and mentors, as well as hours spent with sculptors and painters on the internet, her art school.

Read more at www.suziegrimm.art

Pet Haus and Groom Room

Goods for Cats and Dogs! Pet Haus provides fair prices on excellent holistic quality dog and cat food, as well as a unique selection of toys, treats and locally made pet products. We stay on top of what's new and innovative in the pet world, and stock only the best for our pet-dedicated customers.

Our team of food experts and pet lovers are more than happy to work with you to find the best product for your furry best friend -- whether that's a specialty food that works around your dog's allergies or the perfect catnip-infused scratching post to keep kitty occupied.

Pet Haus goes beyond retail and has recently expanded its offerings of pet services to include a full-service dog and cat groomer. Groom Room opened in November 2021, and offers cat grooming, breed-specific trims, giant breed services, and everything in between! Whether you're a new client at Groom Room or a long-time Pet Haus shopper, customer service is our top priority, and we work hard to ensure each customer is happy and satisfied. Everything under one WOOF!

Visit pethaus.net to learn more.

Follow Pet Haus on Facebook and Instagram
Follow Groom Room on Facebook and Instagram

Creature Comforts

At Creature Comforts, your pet is our passion! For over 34 years, Creature Comforts has been Durango's biggest and best pet supply retailer. At over 16,000 square feet, we offer a wide variety of accessories for all kinds of pets, and a huge assortment of foods and treats. But that's just the beginning! Our expert groomer and dog trainers make us the only full-service pet supply store in Durango and the surrounding area. We feature a 2000 square foot training facility, complete with agility equipment. We pride ourselves on being experts when it comes to advice and support. Great customer service along with a variety that is unmatched in the four corners make this home-owned store unique. Come and shop in our store and we believe you will agree that Creature Comforts is a store like no other!

The Owners
The owners of Creature Comforts, Meghan and Alan Lloyd are absolutely passionate about pets! That passion shows when you enter their store. They have lived in the Durango area for over thirty years combined. They understand our community and love Durango! As active owners, they believe it is important to be engaged with their customers and it is their duty to provide a great place to work for their employees. They firmly believe that if you are in the retail business in Durango, you'd better also be in the relationship business. Meghan and Alan want you to leave their store feeling a little better about your pets, yourself . . . and the world.

Our Staff
The staff at Creature Comforts strive daily to set the standard for great customer service in Durango. At Creature Comforts they know that they aren't just selling pet supplies and food, but establishing relationships and helping to enhance the well-being of the community's companion and service animals. Regular training conducted by experts in companion animal behavior and nutrition is part of the on-going development of Durango's best retail sale team, and it shows! At Creature Comforts they are happy to assist with advice and guidance that is built on real knowledge and training.

Visit creaturecomfortsdurango.com to learn more.

Follow Creature Comforts on Facebook and Instagram

PranaDOGS Behavior & Rehab Center

PranaDOGS, a 501(c)(3) non-profit Canine Behavior & Rehab Center located on 20 beautiful acres in the Rocky Mountains. We specialize in helping dogs who are transitioning between homes by teaching them to utilize positive coping mechanisms.

Located in southwest Colorado, pranaDOGS helps canines who have experienced trauma, are overly anxious or who just need focused, personal time. The dogs live in small, group settings where they're able to improve their dog-dog skills and overall manners. pranaDOGS utilizes solid routines, individual training, hiking, puzzle solving and play to encourage dogs to relax and eventually build the confidence they need to succeed.

We offer services to shelters, rescues, and individuals who need behavioral assistance with their dogs. pranaDOGS uses positive-based training techniques and emphasizes Association and Choice-Based Training.

Visit pranadogs.org to learn more.

Follow pranaDOGS on Facebook and Instagram

Dog Gone Gorgeous Grooming

Dog Gone Gorgeous is the go-to dog groomer for Durango, Hesperus, Hermosa, and Oxford, CO pet owners who want to give their furry friends the gold standard treatment. With over 35 years of experience, our staff can groom any type of dog, providing them with the individualized attention they need to look, feel and smell their best. We offer bathing, deshedding treatments, nail services, blowouts and more. With convenient pricing and seasoned grooming staff, we guarantee safe, comfortable, professional grooming services and a great experience for your canine companion.

Follow Dog Gone Gorgeous on Facebook.

View Entries

Thanks for helping us raise

$7,539