St. Augustine Humane Society’s 2013 Pet Calendars Now Available

The St. Augustine Humane Society has its 2013 “Pin Up Paws” pet calendars available for sale. The calendar fundraiser supports the non-profit’s mission to prevent pet overpopulation with affordable spay and neuter programs and to eliminate the need to relinquish pets to shelters. Additional program initiatives include a charity pet clinic, low-cost spay neuter program, dog training classes, pet food bank, dog grooming at the Society Pet  Spa, and the Humane Society’s re-homing service.

The fundraiser started in June with donors who submitted a photo of their pet to be featured in the 2013 calendar. There was no charge to submit the photos. Friends voted for each pet with a minimum of $1 for owners to win prizes. According to Carolyn Smith, St. Augustine Humane Society’s Operations Director, there were 120 photos submitted.

This year, the calendar program raised approximately $11,000 and finished calendars are available for $7 each and three for $15 at the Humane Society, 1665 Moultrie Road in St. Augustine, Fla. The full-color calendars are also available at retail locations in St. Augustine including Tres Sebastian, Antique Warehouse, Courtyard Gallery, J. R. Benet Store, and Dogtown USA.

The winning calendar photos were judged on creativity and originality and determined with public voting along with contest judges including St. Augustine Humane Society staff and members of the Board of Directors. Winning pets participated in a professional photo shoot by renowned, St. Augustine –based photographer Addison Fitzgerald at historic locations and visitor sites in St. Augustine. Specifically, the calendar theme “Vintage St. Augustine,” was designed by Smith and local fine artist Maribel Angel, who donated her expertise and graphic design to create the motif in sepia tones with a look and feel to depict the history of St. Augustine, the nation’s oldest city.

“We had a lot of fun with the fundraiser this year with 260 participants including voters and entrants who submitted approximately 11,000 votes. Last year was our first year for the calendar and we sold about 1,500 calendars,” said Smith. “The program is easy to participate in and demonstrates how much pet owners care about the animals in St. Johns County. The votes help to fund our charity programs,” she said.” For more information, call 904.829.2737or email .Visit the website to view official rules at www.staughumane.org/pinuppawscontest.html.

 

The St. Augustine Humane Society promotes responsible pet ownership and strengthens the human-animal bond through education and training; works to reduce the relinquishment rate of pets to shelters through assistance services and through effective, affordable spay and neuter efforts; and is a resource center for the citizens and animals of St. Johns County, Florida.

The facility is located at 1665 Moultrie Road in St. Augustine, Fla. Business hours are Tuesday through Saturday from 9 amuntil 4 pm. Closed on Sunday and Monday. For more information call 904.829.2737or visit the website at www.staugustinehumanesociety.org.