The Humane Society of Pike County’s 2020 Pet Photo Contest is underway and already Cali the Cat is off and running for the crown. Cali is a past Pet Photo Contest winner and she is anxious to reclaim the title and wear the jeweled crown once again.

Donna Brockmann, president of the local humane society, said the early entries are running neck and neck with cats boasting a short lead. But, as of yet, there are no other animals registered. However, rumor has it there will be more breeds to enter the 2020 Pet Photo Contest than just dogs and cats.

“We have 30 entries and that’s a good number for the early days of the contest,” Brockmann said. “The deadline for entry is midnight Saturday, August 3. Voting ends at 5 p.m. Sunday September 1. So, there’s still plenty of time but don’t wait around and miss the deadlines to enter and to vote.”

Brockmann said those who don’t own a pet but would like to enter the contest are encouraged to sponsor a dog or cat at the Pike Animal Shelter.

“By doing so, there’s a good possibility that the dog or cat would draw attention to itself and find the forever home that it has been hoping for,” she said.

The entry fee for the HSPC Pet Photo Contest is $10 per photo and votes are only $1. All proceeds support the HSPC’s spay/neuter, feral cat and Friends in Need programs. The HSPC dedicates a major portion of the Pet Photo Contest and Calendar proceeds to its spay/neuter program. The humane society will pay $50 for each spay/neuter procedure done by a Pike County veterinarian as long as funds are available.

“Spay/neuter procedures are the most effective way to reduce the number of unloved and unwanted animals,” she said.

Rules and entry forms are available on the Humane Society of Pike County’s website or at The Little Framery, Three Notch Antiques, Guynn’s Income Tax and Bookkeeping Services in Troy and Jinright’s Hillside Antiques, on Highway 231 south of Troy. Voting may be done at any of those locations.

Online entry and voting and viewing are available at www.pikehumane.org.