The competition is heating up and it’s rivaling the hot summer sun.

Already, more than 60 entries have been logged in the Humane Society of Pike County’s 2010 Pet Photo Contest and there are four days remaining before the July 31 deadline.

Lisa Howard, contest chair, said last year’s Pet Photo Contest had 82 entries and she expects even more this year.

“There’s still a lot of interest in the contest,” Howard said. “We keep getting calls so we should have quite a few more entries before Friday is over.”

The rules for entry are simple. Ten dollars and an 8×10 photograph of the pet are all that’s required along with the names of the pet owner and the pet and a telephone number.

“Entry forms are available online and at several locations around town,” Howard said. “But, really, an entry form is not necessary. Just the names of the pet and pet owner and a telephone number on a piece of paper along with the photograph will do.”

Entries may be submitted to several locations including Howard at the Charles Henderson Child Health Center, Jinright’s Hillside Antiques, The Messenger, Troy Animal Clinic, Trojan Animal Clinic, Jones Animal Clinic in Brundidge, Bows and Bubbles, Troy Pets and The Little Framery.

The winners of the photo contest will be featured on the Humane Society of Pike County’s 2010 Pet Photo Contest Calendar with the overall winner claiming the cover.

No matter how many entries there are, Howard said that she will find a way to include a photograph of every pet that is entered.

“Even if we have to add pages to the calendar,” she said. “I can’t stand to see a picture left out.”

The winners will be determined by poplar dollar vote and will begin as soon as all of the entries are posted on the Humane Society of Pike County’s website– pikehumane.org.

“The pet photos that get the most votes will be the winners,” Howard said. “Some pet owners include ‘votes’ with their entry fee.”

The contest will be very competitive and the real winner will be the abused and abandoned animals of Pike County.

The money that is raised will be used to fund the humane society’s spay and neuter and feral cat programs, needs at the animal shelter and the educational programs in the local schools.

“Every dime that we collect goes straight back to the animals,” Howard said. “This is a huge fundraiser for us and we appreciate the support from those who enter their pet photos and the many who cast votes in the contest.”

Votes may be cast by mailing a check to Humane Society of Pike County, P.O. Box 296, Troy, AL 36081 or at the Troy Public Library and the locations where forms are available. Make sure to designate the pet photo for which the votes are cast.

Plans are to also offer online voting, to be announced on the humane society’s website: pikehuman.org.