Is your dog a modelling su-paw-star? The annual Canberra Pet Calendar Contest is back!

Posted on 28 May, 2024

Canberra pet photographer Ina J is once again calling on pawsitively corg-eous pooches based in the ACT to strike a pose – and it’s all in the name of giving back to ACT Pet Crisis Support.

Calling all dogels (that’s dog model), it’s your time to shine because Ina J Photography has officially launched the Canberra Paws 2025 Annual Pet Calendar Contest.

You may have seen Ina’s calendar contest circulating over previous years, raising over $40,000 for ACT Pet Crisis Support. This year, she hopes to donate a whopping $15,000.

Passionate about the work ACT Pet Crisis Support does to help disadvantaged pet owners keep their pets healthy, the money raised will help the organisation support low-income families and give beloved pets the veterinary care they deserve, saving lives and keeping families together.

Money will also go towards the new mobile ACT Pet Crisis Support Vet Clinic, a service available for pensioners and low-income earners to ensure their pets can receive veterinary care no matter the financial situation of their family.

“We’re thrilled to host this contest again this year and support ACT Pet Crisis Support, an organisation that provides vital assistance to pets in need,” says Ina. 

“This calendar is not only a fantastic way to showcase the beloved pets of our community but also a meaningful way to give back.”

The Canberra Paws 2025 calendar contest is happening now and will be running until Sunday 30 June with the top 13 pooches as voted by Canberra getting their time in the spotlight.

And it’s paws-itively easy to enter.

All you need to do is enter your favourite photo of your pet to win! Once you enter, remember to share it with your friends and family and ask them to vote. It’s a $5 entry fee and each vote costs $1.

Get the word out and get everyone to vote!

What will you win?

The pet with the most votes will be featured on the cover of the 2025 Canberra Paws calendar and an additional page for January 2026, and will receive a professional pet photography session, an 8×10 inch fine art matted print, $250 print credit, and a social media digital file.

The next 12 entrants will each be featured as a pet of the month, receive a professional pet photography session, and a social media digital file. All winners can upgrade to a full session with print credit and purchase additional prints and artwork. Each week there will also be mini contest prizes for the highest voted dog that week. These prizes have been donated by local businesses, so you know there’s plenty of goodies!

But why pet photography?

Apart from the cuteness factor? For Ina, the power of pet photography was something she experienced personally when, in 2019, she received the heartbreaking news that her beloved dog Mac had heart failure.

Determined to document what time they had left, Ina realised that a Doberman-sized gap existed within the pet photography market. And while it had always been something she was creatively drawn toward, it was in this moment of tragedy that photography transformed into a full-time career.

“At the end of 2019, my dog Mac was diagnosed with heart failure. They told me he was only going to have six months. He managed to live for three years, but I wanted to get some nice photos of him and me. However, I couldn’t find anyone who specialised in pet photography, that’s when I thought ‘Oh, well, maybe I can do it’.”

What are you waiting for? Charge those cameras and snap a gorgeous shot of your best friend so ACT Pet Crisis Support can continue helping other’s furry friends!

Head to gogophotocontest.com/canberrapaws2025 to get started.

Feature image supplied by Ina J Photography.