If you think your Fido or Fluffy has what it takes to be number one, consider entering the third annual photo Pet Halloween Costume Contest. Hosted by Kelly Tweedie, pet parents are being encouraged to dress up their furry friends to win prizes and benefit Living Free Animal Sanctuary at the same time.
The first-place winner receives a lifestyle photoshoot with Tara Howard Photo, second place earns a large gift basket, while third place and the costume deemed “most creative” each get a gift card to Petco.
To enter, visit https://donorbox.org/livingfree-halloween24 to donate $25 per pet photo entry. Then email the photo to kellytweedie@kw.com and be sure to include your pet’s name.
“We have a group of five judges, which includes the Living Free employees, my mom and three other people, to be determined,” Tweedie said. The judges narrow the contestants down to their five favorites by assigning points. Each judge is given five points that can be used however they like. Then the photos of the five pets that receive the most points are put on social media (Instagram and Facebook) and via mail to people in Tweedie’s database so everyone can vote on their favorite. “This creates a lot of exposure for Living Free as during this time we also post videos of the sanctuary and a featured “Pet of the Week” to get as many eyes on the nonprofit organization as possible.”
Tweedie’s mother, Katheleen Tweedie, has been a volunteer at the sanctuary for years so Kelly was happy to work with them to create this annual October fundraiser. They are hoping to exceed last year’s entries of almost 30 contestants. Photos of all types of pets are welcome and creativity is strongly encouraged.
All proceeds from the contest will directly benefit the Mountain Center nonprofit, whose mission is to rescue, rehabilitate and find loving homes for animals in need of a second chance. Living Free saves dogs and cats whose time is up at public shelters. If one of the rescued animals cannot find a loving forever home, they are free to live out their lives at the sanctuary, in peace and with all the dignity they deserve.
Donations, which are accepted at all times, go a long way in helping with the daily needs of the sanctuary. Tweedie said there was a lot of damage to the center during the past few years due to snow and fires so all funds raised will be put to good use where it is needed most.
For more information, https://living-free.org or @livingfreenaimals.
