Lens and Leash Photography, in partnership with The Animal Lifeline of Iowa, is happy to announce its pet calendar contest for 2025! 100% of the proceeds from the sale of the calendar and photo contest will be directly donated to The Animal Lifeline of Iowa and assist with lifesaving resources for animals with disabilities and special needs. By participating in this fundraiser, you are helping ALI give these pets a second chance at a happy life. Help us make a difference in the lives of homeless pets today!

We encourage you to submit your favorite photo of your dog and ask your family and friends to vote for them. Please review the Contest Rules carefully for submission guidelines; those that do not follow these rules will not be eligible to win. Fees for photo entries and votes will help the ALI continue their efforts with providing vital services to their animals.

The winners of the photo contest will be determined by the top 13 entrants that get the most votes. The top winner will win the coveted cover photo for the 2026 calendar! 2nd - 13th place winners will have their pet featured as a pet of the month. The photo that you enter in the contest is not the photo that will end up in the calendar. The top 13 vote getters will have their pet professionally photographed by Lens and Leash Photography and a photo from that session will be used for the calendar. Winners will be able to purchase a calendar after it has been released.

• Each entry is a $5 donation. Each vote thereafter is an additional $1. Limit of one dog per photo entry please. If you would like to enter multiple dogs, you must create separate entries for each. People, cats, and other pets are not allowed in photos, only your dog. Photos that do not follow these rules will not be eligible to win with no opportunity for a refund.
• Winners must be able to travel to Des Moines, Iowa for an outdoor, on-location photo session between April 12-30 to capture your photo for the calendar. If you are unable to commit to a photo session during the dates offered or find yourself unable to travel to the pre-selected locations, you forfeit your winning and the next top vote getter will take your pet's spot in the calendar, no exceptions.
• Winners must accept or decline their calendar session within 7 days of the contest closing; failure to do so will forfeit your spot. 
• All photos must be uploaded; we cannot accept printed photos. We cannot accept any copyrighted or professional photos.
• The Submissions Period starts at 8:00:00 AM (Central Time) on Monday, March 3, 2025 and ends at 11:59:59 PM (Central Time) on Sunday, April 13, 2025.
• Contest entry fees are tax deductible. The email acknowledgment to your online donation serves as your tax receipt.
• Any photograph that includes content that is deemed inappropriate, indecent, or obscene, as determined by Lens and Leash Photography in its sole discretion, will be removed from the contest with no opportunity for a refund. 

CURRENT MINI CONTEST: Stalin Paws Salon and Play Place is giving away a free groom AND a free night of boarding to the dog who gets the most new votes between 3/31 to 4/6! Dog must be up to date on required vaccines in order to receive the groom and availability is subject to Stylin Paws.

Four mini contests will be held bi-weekly over the course of the 6-week contest. One pet who receives the highest number of new votes for that week will win a mini-contest prize from one of the participating businesses. The winner will be responsible for claiming their mini prize after given the business' contact information. In the event of a tie for that week's most votes or if there are no new votes for that week, a random computerized drawing will be held for all eligible pets.

Past Mini Contests:
Free groom from Dog Works LLC
$30 Gift card to Besties Pet Co

Want to guarantee a spot for your pup in the calendar? Honor a pet who crossed the rainbow bridge or celebrate a gotcha-day or birthday by reserving an empty grid space (before or after the numbered squares) for their photo. Choose a favorite photo, a month, and pay. Each month has a limited number of squares in each grid and will be filled on a first come, first served basis; don't delay! Each grid space is just $10.

Reserve Your Special Spot Here →