1. Full Calendar Page: 
   There are 13 full pages to win (the cover and 12 months) in the OMHS 2026 Calendar. Entrants choose between two categories, 'Cats' or 'Dogs & Other Amazing Pets'. The 6 top spots in each category will win a full-page calendar month, with the cover spot awarded to the fundraiser with the most votes overall. Winners will be determined by their vote totals as of the contest close at 11:59:59 p.m. on Thursday, April 24th. In the case of a tie for a calendar spot, the entry that joined the contest first will receive the prize.
   
   
   The photographs of the 13 cover and page winners will be taken at your home in May or June 2025 by Russell Gonsalves, our amazing professional volunteer photographer! Before entering the contest, please make sure that you and your pet are available during that timeframe and that your entry meets eligibility requirements.
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2. 100 Votes: All photo entries with 100 or more votes have a guaranteed place in the calendar!

Early Bird Prizes – Don’t Miss Out!

If your pet earns 100 votes or more by 11:59:59 p.m. on March 27, 2025, your name will be entered into an exclusive draw for a chance to win one of these amazing Early Bird prizes!

Early Bird Prize #2 - Find your balance, boost your strength, and embrace your zen!
Enjoy 10 complimentary yoga classes with Power Yoga Canada, Oakville – a $215 value. It’s the perfect way to recharge your body and mind while treating yourself to some well-deserved ‘me time’.

Early Bird Prize #3  - Because your pet deserves the best!
You’ll receive a carefully curated gift basket for your pet from Global Pet Foods, 361 Cornwall Road, Oakville. Sure to be a hit, this premium basket is filled with yummy treats, fun toys, and everything your companion needs to feel extra special. Valued at $200.

Early Bird Prize #4 - Relax, unwind, and let the stress melt away.
Indulge in a 30-minute Aromatherapy Scalp Massage (non-RMT) at Zenbar Healing Studio & Spa, Oakville, valued at $75. Let soothing scents and expert care transport you to a state of pure relaxation.

Important: Names will be drawn for each prize in sequence. Names will not be returned to the barrel for succeeding draws. That means there will be four lucky winners!

1. Photos may contain one pet only.
2. Photos may only contain domestic pets (no people or wildlife).
3. Photos must receive at least 100 votes to be included in the 2026 Calendar.
4. Participants are not limited to the residents of the Towns of Oakville and Milton. Everyone is welcome to participate. Pets that win one of the 13 spots should be available in May or June 2025 for the photos. The photographer will go to your home if you live within 30 kilometers of the Oakville & Milton Humane Society (OMHS). Otherwise, you would be asked to bring your pet to OMHS for the photo session.
5. By agreeing to the waiver, you will also acknowledge and give permission to OMHS to use the name, story and photo of the animal entered in various publications and materials, including the 2026 Calendar.
6. Photos deemed offensive, indecent or obscene will be removed from the contest.
7. Photos will be accepted online from March 3, 2025 to 11:59:59 p.m. on Thursday, April 24, 2025.
8. Sign-up matching bonus: People who sign up by March 27, 2025, will receive 25 bonus votes when registering a pet.
9. Voting promotion: People will receive 10 bonus votes with each donation of $20 until March 27. That is 30 votes!
10. Bonus votes: There may be bonus vote promotion days. All entrants will be notified by email when they arise (so make sure you are subscribed to OMHS emails at omhs.ca or email connect@omhs.ca).
11. In the case of a tie for a calendar spot, the entry that joined the contest first will receive the prize.

1. Photo staging:
• Dogs in photographs taken outdoors must be shown wearing a collar and ID tag.
• Cats and domestic birds must only be shown indoors.
2. OMHS is opposed to practices that prevent animals from expressing their natural behaviours. Photos should not feature animals performing unnatural activities, including wearing clothing/hats or costumes.
3. A submitted photo may contain only one pet.

How much is the entry fee?

• The entry fee is $25 per pet and is tax-deductible. Tax receipts will be mailed to entrants and voters by August 31, 2025. You can make an additional donation during the entry process that will count as votes toward your submitted photo, and you will also receive a tax receipt for this donation.

How many pets can I enter?

• You can enter as many pets as you would like, but each entry has a $25 fee.

My image won’t upload, what do I do?

• Contact us at connect@omhs.ca or call 905-845-1551 ext. 304 and we can help.

I made a mistake with my entry/donation. Who do I contact?

• Contact us at connect@omhs.ca or call 905-845-1551 ext. 304 and we can help.

Do I have to live in Oakville or Milton to participate?

• No, everyone is welcome to participate. Pets that win one of the 13 spots should be available in May or June 2025 for the photos. The photographer will go to your home if you live within 30 kilometers of the Oakville & Milton Humane Society (OMHS). Otherwise, you would be asked to bring your pet to the shelter for the photo session.

How are votes counted?

• Donations made in support of an animal are valued at one vote for every $1.00.

How do I get a top spot?

• Fundraise! OMHS’s Pet Photo Contest is a fundraising activity to support animals in need.

Who wins one of the calendar pages?

• There are 13 full pages to win (the cover and each month). The top fundraiser will be awarded the cover, with the next six (6) spots from each category being awarded a page. The categories are 'Cats' and 'Dogs & Other Amazing Pets'.

 If I win, what happens next?

• If you win one of the 13 spots, you will be contacted directly by an OMHS representative to schedule a specific time for your pet’s photo session during May or June 2025.

 What will OMHS do with my pet's entry once it has been uploaded?

• By agreeing to the waiver, you will also acknowledge and give permission to OMHS to use the name, story and photo of the animal entered in future publications and materials, including the 2026 Calendar.

 When will I receive my tax receipt?

• Tax receipts will be issued for donations of $20 or more and will be mailed to entrants and voters by August 31, 2025.