Contest Rules & Guidelines
1. How to Enter
Entry Fee: A $25 donation per photo entry.
The Perk: Every entry includes one free 2027 SPCA Monterey County Calendar, mailed to you in late November 2026—just in time for the holidays!
Open to All: Your pet does not need to be an SPCA alum to enter. All species are welcome!
Deadlines:
Online: Submit by July 31, 2026, at 3:00 PM PST.
Mail/In-Person: Must be received by July 30, 2026, at 3:00 PM PST at 1002 Monterey-Salinas Hwy, Salinas, CA 93908. (Note: Physical photos cannot be returned.)
2. Photo Requirements
To give your pet the best chance of winning a "Pet of the Month" spot, please follow these specs:
Orientation: Photos should be horizontal (landscape).
Composition: Multiple pets are allowed, but no people, please!
Quality: High-resolution digital photos are best. Ensure cell phone shots are taken at the highest quality setting.
Style: All photos must be in color. We cannot accept black-and-white, AI-generated images, or photos with digital stickers, overlays, or doodles.
Professional Work: We cannot accept copyrighted or professional studio photos.
Best Practices: Dogs and cats should be wearing collars/ID tags, and cats should be photographed indoors. Cats photographed outdoors without visible collars will not be considered.
Legacy Entries: Deceased pets may be entered in memoriam; however, they are not eligible for the front cover.
3. VOTE FOR YOUR FAVORITES
Every dollar raised helps the pets in our care. Votes are $1 each (tax-deductible!).- Online: Visit our website gallery to cast votes until July 31, 2026, at 3:00 PM PST. Keep an eye on the official countdown clock on the site!
- By Phone: Call 831-264-5431 during business hours to vote via credit card.
- To vote:
- By Mail: Send your check/cash to P.O. Box 3058, Monterey, CA 93942.
- Include your name, phone, and the specific pet names you are voting for. Mail-in votes must be received by July 30, 2026.
How Winners are Chosen
- The Top Vote-Earners: The photo with the most total donations will win our cover and one month in the calendar. The photos in second through fifth place in total donations will receive a dedicated write-up and a smaller featured photo in a special section in the front pages of the calendar. The pet photo with the highest number of unique individual donors (based on unique email addresses) will win the People's Choice Award and will be the featured pet for the month of March.
- Pet of the Month: All submitted photos—regardless of vote count—are eligible to be selected by the SPCA as a "Pet of the Month" feature!
- The "Every Pet is a Star" Guarantee: Every single pet photo submitted will be placed somewhere within the 2027 calendar.