For the third consecutive year, the office of District Attorney Michael E. McMahon will hold the annual “Protecting Our Pets” photo calendar contest — an initiative focused on raising awareness of animal abuse.
Every year, RCDA prosecutes an average of 20 animal cruelty cases, according to the release. “We want to celebrate the bond that pet owners have with their pets while sending a clear message that we will not let precious members of our families be harmed,” said McMahon.
The calendars will be distributed at Staten Island community events, to contest winners, and at local veterinarians to serve as a resource for pet owners, according to the release.
The Richmond County District Attorney’s office has set up an animal neglect prevention program hotline at 718-876-6300. The goal of the program is to help struggling pet owners get affordable medical services for their animals, who may otherwise be criminally charged with animal neglect. Incidents of animal abuse can be reported directly to 911 or 311.
“Together, we will stand up against animal abuse in our borough.”
OFFICIAL CONTEST RULES
Contestants must be from Staten Island, and each entry must be submitted only by the pet owner or a parent or guardian.
Additionally, only previously unpublished photos can be entered. Each entrant is allowed to submit only one black-and-white photo, one color photo or one of each. Entries with more than one black-and-white and color photo will not be considered.
All entrees must be original and should not previously have won an award.
The RCDA encourages participants to showcase creativity, including submitting photos that “may feature different seasons, events or Staten Island locations,” according to the release.
Once photos are submitted, they become property of the RCDA. Winning photos will be published in the 2020 “Protecting Our Pets” calendar. Partnered veterinarians on Staten Island may also use the submitted photos.
Submissions are encouraged to be in a high resolution so they can be edited for printing. Photographers are advised to keep a copy of any submitted photo.
Winners will be notified by mail, phone or e-mail prior to the publication of the calendar.
Photos can be submitted by email to: [email protected] or mailed to 130 Stuyvesant Place, Staten Island, New York, 10301 ATTN: Community Partnership Unit. All entries must include the pet owner’s name, the pet’s name, pet’s age, the pet owner’s address, email address, and phone number. All photos must be submitted as a JPEG or a PDF.
The deadline to submit photos is Friday, Oct. 4, 2019.
The winning entries will each represent a month in the pet calendar.
Additional photos may be used in a collage or a photo grid to be featured on an inside cover of the calendar.
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