The Top 5 vote-earners will receive special recognition in the calendar. Every single entry - regardless of vote count - is considered for a "Pet of the Month" feature!
Grand Prize: The Calendar Cover Star
Awarded to the pet with the highest total number of votes.The Ultimate Spotlight: Your pet will grace the front cover of the 2027 SPCA Pet Calendar and be featured as a "Pet of the Month" within the calendar.
A "Star Treatment" Session: We’ve partnered with a professional photographer to provide a custom, high-end photoshoot in the Monterey Bay area.
Custom Artwork: You will receive a stunning, large-scale canvas print of a selected photo from your session, generously donated by Trucksis Enterprises.
Share the Fame: Receive 25 complimentary copies of the 2027 calendar to gift to friends, family, and your pet’s biggest fans.
Special Tribute: Your pet will receive a dedicated shoutout in the calendar’s opening pages, sharing their story with our entire community.
People's Choice Prize:
Awarded to the pet with the highest number of unique individual donors (based on unique email addresses).
March Pet-of-the-Month: Your pet will be the featured star for the month of March 2027.
Professional Photoshoot: Enjoy a professional portrait session with a professional photographer to capture your pet’s unique personality.
Special Recognition: Your pet will be prominently featured and honored in the opening pages of the calendar.
Gift the Results: You’ll receive 15 complimentary copies of the 2027 Pet Calendar to share with the community of donors who helped you secure this title.
2nd - 5th Place
Awarded to the pets with the second through fifth highest total number of votes.
Special Recognition in the Top Fundraisers Collage at the Beginning of the Calendar: While the first-place winner receives a full-page feature, pets in second through fifth place fundraisers will receive a dedicated write-up and a smaller featured photo in a special section in the front pages of the calendar.
- PRIZE PACKAGES TO BE ANNOUNCED! We are currently finalizing some incredible prize packages. Stay tuned for these exciting reveals!
Important Prize Details
Photoshoot Requirement: To ensure the highest print quality for our 2027 edition, the Grand Prize and People's Choice winners will sit for a new professional color portrait before October 2026.
Image Standards: If a professional photoshoot is not possible, the SPCA may consider a high-resolution photo provided by the winner. However, submitted photos must meet specific quality and resolution standards required for the calendar cover. If these standards cannot be met, an alternate prize may be awarded.
HOW MUCH IS THE ENTRY FEE?
The entry fee is $25 per photo. This fee includes one copy of the 2027 Calendar (a value of $15!) that will be mailed to you in November 2026. You can make an additional donation during the entry process that will count as votes toward your submitted picture(s). All proceeds from contest entries and votes will go directly to support SPCA Monterey County's lifesaving programs and services.
HOW MANY PHOTOS CAN I ENTER?
You can enter as many as you want!
HOW DO I VOTE FOR A PET'S PICTURE?
Votes are $1 each, with a minimum donation of $5 for five votes. All votes are tax-deductible. Yes, you can vote for your own pet's photo (and as many times as you and your friends and family want!). You may allocate each vote to the same picture or multiple pictures.
How to vote online: To vote online, click on the Participate tab above. Search the pet's name you want to vote for, then click on the pet's photo. You will then be taken to the pet's page where you can cast your vote!
The online voting period will end on July 31, 2026, at 3:00 PM. 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, the 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.
How to vote by mail: Make your check payable to SPCA Monterey County. Include a note with the check noting the pet's name and owner's name for whom you are voting in the 2027 Calendar of Superstar Pets Contest. Please also include your name, address, and phone number in case we have any additional questions.
Mail the check and note to:
SPCA Monterey CountyCalendar of Superstar PetsP.O. Box 3058Monterey, CA 93942- Votes by mail must be received by 3:00 PM PST on July 30, 2026.
- Votes sent by mail will be counted on the SPCA Monterey County's website under the selected pet's photo.
CAN I DROP OFF MY ENTRY OR VOTES AT YOUR SHELTER?
Entries including photo, entry form, and entry fee ($25) and votes may be dropped off in person no later than 3:00 PM PST on July 30, 2026.
SPCA Monterey County1002 Monterey Salinas HighwaySalinas, CA 93908(across from WeatherTech Raceway Laguna Seca)WHEN WILL I GET MY CALENDAR?
We will mail calendars in November of 2026, just in time for the holidays!
HOW DO I ENTER THE CONTEST VIA MAIL?
If you're mailing in your photo, we can accept 4" x 6" prints in a horizontal format for design purposes. Mailed photos should be sent to the address below.
SPCA Monterey CountyAttn: 2027 Calendar of Superstar PetsP.O. Box 3058Monterey, CA 93942- All mailed entries including photo, entry form, and entry fee ($25), must be received by 3:00 PM PST on July 30, 2026.
- Mailed entries will appear online within 48 business hours of receipt.