Rules

• You may submit as many photographs as you like, but there may only be one pet per photo.
• The VBSPCA is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization. All entrants will receive receipts for their contributions.
• Top 5 participants will be voted on by a panel of judges.
• All photos become the property of the Virginia Beach SPCA.

• Acceptable photo formats are .jpg and .png.
• Digital photos must be 300 dpi resolution or higher.
• Photos may contain only one pet, and may not include people.
• Please refrain from using photos taken by a professional photographer.
• The same pet can be entered into the contest multiple times, but votes will not be combined across multiple entries of the same pet. You can enter more than one pet in the contest. 
• Any image that includes people, multiple pets, or content that is deemed inappropriate, indecent or obscene, as determined by the staff of the VBSPCA, will be removed from the Photo Fundraiser.
• Photographs may not be edited or altered (other than minor color, contrast, or sharpness adjustments)
• Photographs must either feature pets owned by the entrant OR the entrant must have permission from the pet's owner to submit their pet's image.
• Photographs must be of dogs, cats, or small animals. The only small animals that will be allowed to enter the contest are rabbits, guinea pigs, hamsters, rats, mice, birds and gerbils, so that they reflect the animals we receive at the shelter.

You can become a finalist by having friends and family vote for your pet's photo. The photo with the most number of votes at the end of the contest will be declared the winner.

• Once a photo is submitted, it will appear in the online gallery, and be open to voting by the general public. Votes are $1 each, with a minimum $5 donation for five votes.
• All votes for photo submissions will be tabulated and displayed online.
• To vote online, click on the Participate tab above. The online voting period will end at 9:00:00 PM (Eastern Time) on Saturday, August 31, 2024. Donate a minimum of $5 for five votes. Those votes can then be cast for any submitted photo in one-vote increments. Voters do not have to use all of the votes at the time of donation. When voters donate, they will be given the option of applying all of the votes to one photo, spreading their votes over various photos, or storing votes in their account. If a voter chooses to store the votes, voter can log in to their account using their ID and password and vote at a later time. All votes must be applied to selected photos by the conclusion of the voting period to be counted.
• All donations for votes are non-refundable, and all donations must be made via the online contest page. Donations submitted via other means (snail mail, in-person or main website donation page) will be accepted as donations but not applied toward the contest.
• Ending time for the Photo Fundraiser will be determined by the host website's server, which will show prominently on the Photo Fundraiser website as a countdown clock on the last day of the fundraiser.
• The photograph with the most votes (donations) at the end of the submission period will be declared the winner.
• All votes are donations to the VBSPCA. All donors will receive receipts for their contributions.

Release and Limitations of Liability

By participating in the Contest, entrants hereby grant the VBSPCA permission to use submitted photographs, video, or other digital media ("photo") in any and all of its promotional materials, publications, including web-based publications, without payment or other consideration. Entrants understand that all photos become the property of the VBSPCA and will not be returned. Entrants irrevocably authorize the VBSPCA to edit, alter, copy, exhibit, publish, or distribute these photos for any lawful purpose. In addition, entrants waive any right to inspect or approve the finished product wherein the submitted photo appears. Additionally, entrant waives any right to royalties or other compensation arising or related to the use of the photos.

By participating in the Contest, entrants agree to release and hold harmless the Sponsor, and each of their respective parents, subsidiaries, affiliates, advertising and promotion agencies, other companies associated with the contest, and each of their respective officers, directors, employees, shareholders, representatives, and agents (the Released Parties) from and against any claim or cause of action arising out of participation in the Contest or receipt or use of the prize (including any travel or activity related thereto), including, but not limited to: (a) any technical errors associated with the Contest, including lost, interrupted or unavailable Internet Service Provider (ISP), network, server, wireless service provider, or other connections, availability or accessibility or miscommunications or failed computer, satellite, telephone, cellular tower or cable transmissions, lines, or technical failure or jumbled, scrambled, delayed, or misdirected transmissions or computer hardware or software malfunctions, failures or difficulties; (b) unauthorized human intervention in the Contest; (c) mechanical, network, electronic, computer, human, printing or typographical errors; (d) application downloads, (e) any other errors or problems in connection with the Contest, including, without limitation, errors that may occur in the administration of the Contest, the announcement of the winner, the cancellation or postponement of the event and/or the flyover, if applicable, the incorrect downloading of the application the processing of entries application downloads or in any Contest-related materials; or (f) injury, death, losses or damages of any kind, to persons or property which may be caused, directly or indirectly, in whole or in part, from entrants participation in the contest or acceptance, receipt or misuse of the prize (including any travel or activity related thereto). Entrant further agrees that in any cause of action, the Released Parties liability will be limited to the cost of entering and participating in the Contest, and in no event shall the entrant be entitled to receive attorney's fees. Released Parties are also not responsible for any incorrect or inaccurate information, whether caused by site users, tampering, hacking, or by any equipment or programming associated with or utilized in the Contest. Entrant waives the right to claim any damages whatsoever, including, but not limited to, punitive, consequential, direct, or indirect damages.