Pike County pet owners that get their precious pups and kittens “geared up for gameday” can help raise money for a good cause and have a chance to win a prize themselves.

The Pike Animal Shelter is hosting a fundraiser as football season approaches, asking residents to submit photos of their pets dressed in gameday attire.

Submissions are $10 and all proceeds will benefit the shelter, paying for essential items including food, veterinary care and other supplies to fill in the gap necessary to take care of the county’s many stray pets.

“We’re at a point right now where we can’t take any more pets except from animal control,” said Jigkinya Majors, the day manager at the shelter. “There are strays constantly coming in. It takes a lot of food and veterinary care to take care of them. Sometimes people don’t understand the scope of the problem.”

Majors reminded residents to spay and neuter pets to keep from contributing to the county’s ongoing problem with stray cats and dogs. “It’s really not fair to these animals that end up here,” Majors said.

Submissions for the fundraiser will be accepted through August 16 and the field will be narrowed down to the top five pets. The winner will be announced on August 23 and the winning owner will receive a prize pack with goodies from several local sponsors including Firestone, Sips on the Square, Jim Whaley Tires, Tractor Supply, Santa Fe, Glow, Eclipse Hair Salon, Bows and Bubbles, and PetSense.

Entries can be submitted at the Pike Animal Shelter at 904 Henderson Highway.