Summer time is the “purfect” time to kick off the Humane Society of Pike County’s Annual Pet Photo Contest.

As least the cats around the county will think so because the felines lead all others in “covering” the front of the annual Pet Photo Calendar each year.

Lisa Howard, chair of the annual Pet Photo Contest, said this year could be the year of the dog, the horse, the parakeet or even the potbellied pig.

“From everything that I’ve heard, pet owners are going to give the cats a run for the cover and pet of the month honors this year,” Howard said. “We are looking for a friendly but very competitive contest this year.”

The annual Pet Photo Contest is a fundraiser for the Humane Society of Pike County and funds, in a large part, the humane society’s bi-annual, county-wide spay and neuter programs, which pay $40 for each procedure done in an effort to reduced the number of abandoned and neglected dogs and cats in Pike County.

“This is our 4th Annual Pet Photo Contest and the funds raised also support our feral cat, education and families in need programs,” Howard said. “Last year, the Pet Photo Contest raised more than $17,000 for our programs. We greatly appreciate the interest in the contest and the support we receive. Our programs are making a difference and we have the community to thank. We are looking forward to another fun and exciting pet photo contest.”

The winner of the pet photo contest will be featured on the cover of the humane society’s 2012 Pet Photo Calendar and there will be a winner for each month and each week of the year.”

The contest rules are simple.

“Just submit an 8×10 photo, a completed entry form and the $10 entry fee to the Humane Society of Pike County, Howard said. “You may enter as many photos as you like but each entry requires a $10 entry fee and an entry form.”

Photo entries will be accepted through Aug. 16.

Entry forms are available at locations around the county. Forms may be printed from the humane society’s website, www.pikehumane.org.

“We will also accept mail-in entries as long as they include a name, address, phone number, a photo, pet’s name and information about the pet and the entry fee,” Howard said.

“Those entries may be mailed to Pet Photo Contest, P.O. Box 296, Troy, AL 36081.”

The selection of the winner will be by the number of votes each pet receives.

“You can vote as many times as you like by donating a dollar per vote to the Humane Society of Pike County and all donations are tax deductible,” Howard said.

Voting begins after all entries are posted and will end on Sept. 16.

For the past three years cats have ruled.

“Will this be the year that another pet will rule? It just could be,” Howard said.