Join Us for the AWLA’s Biggest Fundraiser of the Year!
Our 2019 photo calendar contest begins this Friday, June 1, and we need your support and participation to raise funds for animals across the city. We’re giving you the opportunity to elevate your pet to Alexandria stardom with video opportunities, fun contest challenges, exciting new prize packages and more!
The AWLA photo calendar contest is a beloved tradition, celebrating the cute, adorable and funny faces of Alexandria’s Animals. For the 2018 Calendar, you helped us to raise more than $65,000 to benefit Alexandria’s Animals, while sharing the special stories of your pets.
Our 2018 Calendar Winners
Last year, our top vote-earners told their tales, from medical issues to court cases, and of course, the journeys to find their loving families.
Zoey, our grand prize winner, is an AWLA alum. Though she lost a leg to osteosarcoma, Zoey’s strength of spirit and outgoing personality helped her find votes from across the city. Sadly, we said good-bye to Zoey in 2017, but we are honored to remember her every day as Alexandria’s Animal of the Year.
First runner-up and AWLA Animal Ambassador Eowyn was another AWLA grad. Her mom and AWLA volunteer knew that this goofy Rhodesian ridgeback was the one at first sight. Post adoption, Eowyn’s hobbies include running, chewing and working on her good-dog behavior, as well as attending AWLA events in Zoey’s memory!
Stitch is another AWLA alum, and every year his mom helps him enter the photo calendar contest to help raise money for his friends at the shelter. Stitch is a “special needs” kitty, which his family says, means that he is very special and needy! Stitch has a neurological condition and doesn’t get around well, but he loves to be picked up so he can give hugs and kisses, and attended several calendar events last year accompanied by his favorite people.
Missy came to the AWLA after her owner had been accused of animal abuse. Working closely with the city and its police department, the AWLA successfully prosecuted her owner, so he will not be able to own animals in the city again. Missy transferred to another local shelter where she found her family and loves to play with her two new human brothers.
Rocky has grown a lot since finding his person, building confidence, learning new skills and gaining new experiences! He and his best friend enjoy paddle boarding, road trips, hiking and getting in lots of running.
Here are the photos that were taken by our professional pet photography team as part of their prize packages.
Getting Ready for the 2019 Calendar!
Top tips:
Find a photo of your pet(s) that shows off their personality. Capture their best angle, find the right lighting and get their winning-smile with a treat or a toy. Photos should be 1575×2100 pixels, and most phones’ cameras will be able to capture a great quality photo that would be perfect for the calendar.
New this year, use video to help promote your pet! Even though the video will not be included in the calendar, it’s a great way to share your best friend’s story and earn extra points with our video challenges – did you know that the first 10 registrations that include videos will earn 100 extra votes thanks to our friends and calendar sponsors at Fort Hunt Animal Hospital and Hayfield Animal Hospital. Do you have that great video of your cat rolling on her back or your dog running in circles with his happiest grin? Maybe your bird can sing a song or your rabbit eats carrots in the cutest possible way. To submit a video, upload your video to YouTube and paste the video URL into the video link during your registration.
Share, share, share your pet’s registration page with your friends, family, anyone! You can gain support for your pet and for all of Alexandria Animals as we raise money to support their food, housing and medical care.
Keep an eye out for challenges. Follow us on Facebook (@AlexandriaAnimals), Instagram and Twitter (@AlexAnimals) and check for emails from us to see when we announce challenges that can earn extra votes for your pet. These could involve submitting additional photos of your pet(s), sharing additional content on Facebook or just being the first to like a photo.
Why enter?
Whether you want your pet’s moment in the limelight or you’re looking for another way to support Alexandria’s Animals, the 2019 Photo Calendar Contest is our biggest fun(draiser) of the year, and we need your support. Enter your pet or follow the contest and support your favorites! Either way, your support throughout the month of June will help animals in need across the City of Alexandria.
Registration opens Friday, June 1!