The St. Augustine Humane Society launched its 13th annual Pin Up Paws pet calendar photo contest in June to support the nonprofit’s mission of providing safety net services to pet owners. For a chance to have a pet featured in the full-color, high-quality calendar, photos of pets were submitted with heartfelt and entertaining descriptions to let people know why they should vote for the pet to be featured.
Votes were made with donations starting at $1. According to Carolyn Smith, executive director of the Humane Society, a record $49,735 was raised by the entries and voting efforts this year.
The top three winners in votes were:
To view the winners, go to pinuppaws.com.
The “Best Buds” calendar will feature the winning pets in a flower garden theme. Styling and photography sessions are provided by award-winning photographer Addison Fitzgerald, who has donated his talents to the Humane Society since the calendar’s inception.
Local fine artist and graphic designer Maribel Angel continues to donate her creative talents for the distinctive calendar publication.
“Each year presents a new challenge for the creative team, and this year’s calendar promises to be exceptional,” said Smith.
Columbia Restaurant gift certificates, courtesy of the dining establishment’s annual Community Harvest program, were also awarded to winners. For 25 years, the restaurant program has provided $3.5 million to nonprofit organizations throughout Florida. Customers who dine at the St. Augustine location during the month of September may select St. Augustine Humane Society or any of the other worthy charities listed on a ballot, which is provided at the table. The restaurant calculates 5% of the check and donates the value in gift certificates to the nonprofit.
The release of the 2024 “Best Buds” calendar will be held Nov. 3 during the Annual Pin Up Paws Party at Embassy Suites by Hilton St. Augustine Beach Oceanfront Resort, 300 A1A Beach Blvd., St. Augustine. Tickets are available for purchase at PUPparty.org.
All proceeds from the calendar contest and sales, sponsorships, event tickets, wine pull and silent auction will benefit the organization’s programs, including the Humane Society’s charity clinic, which includes the only ASPCA Spay Neuter Alliance clinic in St. Johns County.
