If old timers are right, Dog Days came in on July 25 and the misery of those day will continue until the 40th day is in the books.

And, if dogs don’t get up off their haunches, their misery will continue throughout the year 2013 because it will be a cat that graces the cover of the Humane Society of Pike County’s Pet Photo Calendar once again.

“The pressure is on again for dog lovers to get their entries in and votes cast in their favor,” said Lisa Howard, chair of the humane society’s annual pet photo contest.

Every year, the cats rise to the occasion and the felines take top honors and are featured on the cover of the Pet Photo Calendar. It’s time for the dogs to show their stuff.

“And, too, there’s always a chance that another pet – pig or a duck or a goldfish – could be the dark horse in the race.”

The Pet Photo Contest is an annual fund-raiser for the Humane Society of Pike County. The funds raised are used to support the Humane Society’s spay and neuter program, the feral cat program, the in-school humane treatment of animals education programs and the families in need program.

“The more money that we raise through the Pet Photo Contest, the more animals that we are able to save from neglect and abuse,” Howard said.

“All of the money raised goes to the animals. All of it.”

Entries for the 2013 Pet Photo Contest will be accept through Aug. 27. Forms are available at www.pikehumane.org, or pet owners can hand write the information needed.

Entries must include an 8×10 photo of the pet, the owner’s name, phone number, type of pet, pet’s name and a $10 entry fee.

“You can enter as many times as you wish but the necessary information and $10 entry fee must be included with each entry,” Howard said.

Entries are being accepted at Guynn’s Income Tax and Bookkeeping Service, The Little Framery, Troy Antiques and Jinright’s Hillside Antiques. Entries can also be mailed to Pet Photo Contest, P.O. Box 296, Troy, AL 36081.

The winner of the Pet Photo Contest will be determined by the number of votes cast at $1 each.

For more information about the contest, visit www.pikehumane.org.