Pet owners interested in taking part in the “Picture Perfect Pet” calendar contest hosted by the Central Pennsylvania Humane Society and have not yet scheduled a photo shoot will have a special opportunity to get involved soon.

CPHS has scheduled a special day (Sunday, April 15th) for a photo shoot by professional photographer Scott Paul to be held at the shelter.

No appointments are necessary and photos will be taken on a first-come, first-served basis from noon until 5pm.

The photos will be used to gather donations for local pets vying for spots on the special 2008 calendar. Pet owners will pay a flat fee of $10 and receive one 8 by 10 print and one 3 by 5 print. They’ll use the smaller print to gather donations from friends, relatives, neighbors, business associates and community members. The top twelve fundraisers will earn a spot as a featured month of the calendar. The next 12 will be featured as “honorable mentions”.  All entries who raise at least $20 will be shown on the calendar.

Last year the lowest amount raised to earn a month appearance was just over $500. The twelve contestants who raised between $200 and $500 earned spots on the “Honorable Mention” page.

“We never know how much it will take to earn the various placements” says Dave Hopkins, CPHS Director of Fundraising/Public Relations. “This year it might be a little less but we’re hoping everyone will keep in mind that all the donations collected go directly to help care for our homeless animals.”

Also, pet owners who have photos of animals who have passed away can honor them in the calendar’s “Rainbow Bridge” section for a one-time donation of $20 or more.

The April shoot will take place in the Education Center location, (gray building) adjacent to the shelter (1837 E. Pleasant Valley Blvd.). The photo sessions should last only about 10-15 minutes each and will be done in order of pet owner arrival and check-in.

Contest rules and information can be found below on this website page or entrants can pick up the information sheets at the shelter, local veterinarian offices, pet related businesses and some selected retail stores.

            For more information, contact Dave Hopkins at: 942-2477