DENVER, June 1, 2009 -- Starting Monday, June 15, 2009, the American Humane Association will accept entries for its 2009 Pets & Pals Photo Contest™. This popular annual competition encourages photographers of all skills levels to send in shots of animals in four categories. Enter as many photos as you like for a shot at a Grand Prize of $1,000. The call for entries will run only until July 31, 2009, so dust off your camera and take your best shots!

2009 Pets & Pals Photo Contest Categories

1. Pets -- Whether they’re dogs, cats, rabbits, ferrets, birds or lizards, they’re your pets and you love them!
   This category is open to pictures of one or more pets or companion animals of any species.

2. People & Pets -- What are we without our pets, and what are our pets without us? Honor a special human-animal bond.
   This category is open to pictures of one or more companion animals with one or more people.

3. Down on the Farm -- Take your pick of the many animals found on a farm and capture a unique shot.
   This category is open to pictures of one or more farm or ranch animals.

4. Shelter Life -- At an animal shelter, amazing, devoted people take care of homeless animals waiting to be adopted. Snap a shot honoring both the animals and the professionals.
   This category is open to pictures of shelter staff, volunteers, veterinarians, and animal control professionals and/or animals, in shelter settings.

Give it a try and see what develops! Visit www.americanhumane.org/petsandpals for submission guidelines.

The Fine Print
Two Grand Prize winners will be selected: one from categories 1-3, and one from category 4. Each of the two Grand Prize winners will win $1,000. Of the remaining finalists in each category, four Category Winners (one in each category) will each win $500.

Entries will be judged on creativity, composition, photo quality and appropriateness to category.

All entries must be postmarked on or after June 15, 2009, but no later than July 31, 2009, and received no later than Aug. 7, 2009.

Last year’s winners are not eligible to win. Entrants must be 18 or older. One prize per person. Grand Prize winners are not eligible to win Category prizes. See the official rules for more details. Winners will be announced on or about September 10, 2009.