How much is the entry fee?
The entry fee is $25 per photo, and you will receive 25 free votes with your entry. You can make additional votes towards your pet during the entry process. All contest entries and votes will go directly to support Marin Humane’s vital programs and services.
How many photos can I enter?
You can enter as many pets in the contest as you like! Each entry has a $25 entry fee. Bear in mind that winners are based on most votes in your animal category
(See "How are winners determined" below), so it would be best to submit only one photo per pet/entrant to maximize your chances of winning.
How do I enter my pet’s photo?
To submit photos, click on the Participate tab above and follow the directions to upload a photograph of your pet.
Entries can only be made online and must be received by July 31, 2025.
What are the eligibility requirements?
- Photos should be high-resolution (300 dpi or greater) and/or a minimum file size of 4 MB, and in a standard file format such as .jpg or .png. (Some phone photos may not meet these standards. Please check your phone’s camera settings for default image file size or pixels. The larger the file size - at least 4 MB - or pixel dimensions, the better.)
- Photos should be in portrait (vertical) orientation. Images of your pet that fill the frame are preferred.
- Your pet does NOT have to be adopted from Marin Humane to be eligible to enter the contest.
- Photos may contain more than one pet.
- Photos must only contain pets (no people or wildlife.)
- Photos must be in color.
- Photos must feature pets owned by the photographer OR the entrant must have permission to submit the photo. (Photographs with photographer’s watermarks will NOT be eligible.)
- All cats and dogs shown outdoors MUST be wearing tags and collars. We may ask you to replace your photo if your pet is missing a collar and tag, or ask for your permission to Photoshop one in.
- ANY PHOTOS THAT DO NOT MEET THESE REQUIREMENTS MAY BE REJECTED.
TIPS FOR TAKING GREAT PHOTOS:
Utilize Daylight and Shade For indoor shots, position your pet near a window during the day, where soft light can filter in. If outdoors, find a shaded spot and be mindful of the sun's position. Avoid using flash whenever possible for the best results.
Minimize Static and Blur
Utilize your phone or camera's features and settings to capture several images quickly. This will give you more photos to choose from—ideal for action shots. Burst or live photo is work great for this technique.
Focus on Their Best Angles Tap on the screen or click your auto-focus to bring your pet into crystal clear view. Level up further by adjusting the exposure and brightness to avoid wash-out or deep shadows. After a bit of practice, you'll be a pro!
How do I vote for a pet’s picture?
The best and easiest way is to vote online, by clicking on the Participate tab above.
The online voting period will end on July 31, 2025. You may also submit votes by mail or phone. Votes by mail should be sent to: Marin Humane, Attn: Photo Contest, 171 Bel Marin Keys Blvd. Novato, CA 94949. Please include your phone number, payment (cash or check), the pet and entrant names, and your written request to apply your enclosed payment towards votes for them in the 2025 Photo Contest.
Votes by mail must be received by Tuesday, July 29, 2025, at 5 pm PDT.To vote by phone with a credit card, please call 415.506.6231 during regular office hours.
Votes by phone must be received by Wednesday, July 30, 2025, at 3:00 p.m. PDT.
How are votes counted?
One vote is $1.00. All votes are considered tax-deductible donations.
How are winners determined?
The top 5 dogs, top 5 cats, and top 2 in the "other pet" category will constitute our 12 winners. Of these 12, placement will be based on number of votes.
How will winners be notified?
Marin Humane will contact the winners directly within 2 business days of the contest's conclusion. The winners will also be posted on our contest home page the day after the contest.
What are the window wrap dimensions?
Dimensions are 36"h x 28"w:
If I'm one of the top 12, do I get to choose which month will feature my pet(s) on social media?
For our "Pet of the Month" social media spotlight, we will take into consideration any preferred months when we contact the winners. Ultimately, it is up to Marin Humane to decide which pet is featured in which month.
Does my pet need to have been adopted from Marin Humane to enter their photo?
Not at all!
If I win Woofstock VIP admission, where do I get my tickets?
There are no physical tickets to collect. We will contact the winners with details regarding arrival and check-in within 30 days of the event.
Any Other Questions?
Please contact Maureen Reyes, Development Prospect & Data Administrator, at mreyes@marinhumane.org.
You may find our FAQ page helpful to review before entering. HOW IT WORKS:
- The entry period is from July 3, 2025 through July 31, 2025.
- The top 5 dogs, top 5 cats, and top 2 in the "other pet" category will comprise our 12 winners, who will each win one of our prize packages. Of these 12, placement will be based on the number of votes.
- Entries not among the twelve winners will still be featured in a photo collage on our website and/or on a large banner on Marin Humane's campus.
Please see the image specifications in the following section to ensure your photo will meet the requirements.
All proceeds from entry fees and votes directly benefit the animals at Marin Humane.
HOW TO ENTER PHOTOS:
- Entries can only be made online and must be received by 6:00 pm on July 31, 2025. To submit photos, click on the Participate tab above and follow the directions to upload a photograph of your pet.
- There is a $25 fee for submitting a photo, which includes 25 free votes for your pet.
- You may make additional votes during the entry process or at any time during the contest period. Every dollar counts as one vote.
- All eligible photos submitted by July 31, 2025, will be included in a photo collage on our website and/or on a large banner on Marin Humane's campus.
- Votes are considered donations and are fully tax-deductible as permitted by law. Marin Humane is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization.
- Marin Humane reserves the right to disqualify an entry based on objectionable content or depiction of an animal. The registration fee is non-refundable. Votes will be refunded upon request by the donor.
- All photos become the property of Marin Humane, and by submitting a photo, you acknowledge and give permission to Marin Humane to use the name, story, and photo of the animal in future publications.
IMAGE RULES:
- Photos should ideally be high-resolution (having a height or width of at least 1836 pixels) and in a standard file format such as .jpg or .png.
- Some phone photos may not meet these standards. Please check your phone’s camera settings for the default image file size or pixels. The larger the file size (at least 1 MB) or pixel dimensions, the better.
- If your pet wins a window wrap but the photo submitted is of unacceptable quality, we may request a new image, which must be provided by August 8, 2025.
- Photos should preferably be in portrait (vertical) orientation.
- Photos can show more than one pet.
- Photos cannot contain people.
- Photos must be in color.
- Photos must feature pets owned by the photographer OR the entrant must have permission to submit the photo. (Images with photographer’s watermarks are NOT eligible.)
- To be considered for the window wrap or as Pet of the Month, all cats and dogs shown outdoors MUST be wearing collars and tags. If we love your photo but your pet does not have a collar or tag, we may ask you for a replacement photo or request your permission to Photoshop one in.
TIPS FOR TAKING GREAT PHOTOS:
Utilize Daylight and Shade
For indoor shots, position your pet near a window during the day, where soft light can filter in. If outdoors, find a shaded spot and be mindful of the sun's position. Avoid using flash whenever possible for the best results.
Minimize Static and Blur
Utilize your phone or camera's features and settings to capture several images quickly. This will give you more photos to choose from—ideal for action shots. Burst or live photo work great for this technique.
Focus on Their Best Angles
Tap on the screen or click your auto-focus to bring your pet into crystal clear view. Level up further by adjusting the exposure and brightness to avoid wash-out or deep shadows. After a bit of practice, you'll be a pro!
VOTING:
- To vote online, click on the Participate tab above. The online voting period will end at 6:00:00 PM (Pacific Time) on Thursday, July 31, 2025.
- Each $1 donation counts as one vote. You can place all votes on one entry or divide them among multiple entries.
- All votes for photo submissions will be tabulated and displayed online.
- Marin Humane is a 501(c)(3) organization. Votes are tax-deductible. The email acknowledgment reply to your online votes serves as your tax receipt.
- Voting by mail is accepted and must be received by Marin Humane no later than Tuesday, July 29, 2025 at 5 pm PDT. Mail-in votes should be sent to: Marin Humane, Attn: Photo Contest, 171 Bel Marin Keys Blvd. Novato, CA 94949. Please include your phone number, email, donation, the pet and entrant names, and your written request to apply your enclosed donation towards votes for them in the 2025 Photo Contest.
- To vote by phone with a credit card, please call 415.506.6231 during regular office hours, before 3 pm PDT on Wednesday, July 30, 2025.