How Much Is The Entry Fee?
- The entry fee is $25 per photo. This fee includes one copy of the 2026 wall calendar that will be mailed to you in the fall of 2025. You can make an additional donation during the entry process that will count as votes* toward your submitted photo(s). All proceeds from the contest entries and votes will go directly to support San Diego Humane Society's vital programs and services.
*A minimum of 5 votes is required for guaranteed inclusion in the 2026 calendar
How Many Photos Can I Enter?
- You can enter as many as you'd like!
- Each entry has a $25 entry fee.
What are the eligibility requirements?
- Photos of non-wildlife companion animals accepted. This may include dogs, cats, small pets, reptiles, farm animals, aquatics, and more.
- Your pet does NOT have to be adopted from San Diego Humane Society to be eligible to enter the contest.
- Photos may contain more than one pet, but each photo will only count as one entry.
- Photos must be high-resolution (300 dpi or higher) to be considered for a month spread.
- Photos must be in landscape (horizontal) format to be considered for a month spread.
- Photos must only contain pets (no people or wildlife).
- Photos must be full color, with no heavy editing or alterations.
- Photos must feature pets owned by the photographer OR the entrant must have permission to submit the photo.
Can I enter professional photos of my pet?
- Yes, but you MUST obtain permission from the photographer to enter the photo in the contest.
- Photographs with photographer's watermarks will not be eligible to be included in the calendar.
- Professional photographer credit will NOT be included in the calendar or contest.
What makes for a good pet photo?
- If you plan on taking a photo with your cellphone, check out these handy tricks!
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How do I enter my pet's photo(s)?
- Enter online
- Enter by mail:
- Print and fill out the entry form
- Mailed-in photos must be no larger than 6" x 4"
- Photos must be landscape (horizontal) format
- Each photo entered is $25 and a minimum of 5 votes ($5) must be submitted to guarantee inclusion in the 2026 calendar
- Send your completed entry form, payment and photo(s) to:
San Diego Humane Society
Attn: Philanthropy – Photo Fundraiser
5500 Gaines St.
San Diego, CA 92110
- Entries received by mail become property of San Diego Humane Society.
How many votes do I need to have my pet featured on a month spread in the calendar?
- The #1 top vote-getter from each category (Dogs, Cats and Other Pets) will win a featured month spread in the 2027 calendar.
- All other entries that meet eligibility requirements will be considered for month spreads in the 2026 calendar.
How do I vote for a pet's photo?
- Votes are $1 each and all votes are tax-deductible. You can vote for your own pet's photo(s) as many times as you'd like!
- Vote online:
- Click on the View Entries button on the homepage or Vote link. Search the pet's name and click on their photo. You can then cast your vote(s) on the pet's page!
- The deadline to cast votes is midnight PDT August 31, 2025
- Easily share your pet's photo entry on social media by using the buttons on their page. Share with your friends and family and get them to vote!
- Vote by mail:
- Print out the entry form
- Mail your form and payment to:
San Diego Humane Society
Attn: Philanthropy – Photo Fundraiser
5500 Gaines St.
San Diego, CA 92110
- Mailed in votes must be received by 5 p.m. PDT August 30, 2025
- Vote by phone:
- Call 619-299-7012 ext: 2406 during business hours to vote by phone with a credit card.
- Phone votes must be received by 5 p.m. PDT August 31, 2025
How do the categories and leaderboards work?
- The leading vote-getters for each of the three categories (Dogs, Cats, and Other Pets) will be featured on the homepage of the Photo Fundraiser website throughout the contest.
- The #1 top vote-getters for each category (Dogs, Cats and Other Pets) will each win a month spread in the 2027 calendar.
- See more prizes here.
How will I know I won?
- Winners will be contacted and announced via email shortly after the contest. You can also check the leaderboards on the homepage to see how your pet's photo is doing in the contest.
When will I receive my calendar?
- Calendars will be mailed in the fall of 2025.
Question not answered here? Please contact us at
calendar@sdhumane.org.