Community Outreach for Pet Lovers – Making it Real and Local - Pet Project Contest

　

As pet lovers and REALTORS, we have the dual advantage of much needed knowledge of resources to help our furry friends and the humans who love them. This seemed like an ideal combination to create the Pet Project Contest.

One of my favorite things about ActiveRain is the number of caring members who openly share stories of their pets, their animal activism involvement, the comedies, joys and even the tragedies of their furry families. These stories touch our hearts and bring us closer together.

It seemed so natural to create the Pet Project Contest, combining a chance to write about a subject that means so much to many of us and an opportunity to provide much needed information about pet resources in our communities. Those who already live in our areas and those we might be working with as real estate agents who want move to our areas will all want to take advantage of the information. In addition to your chance to win extra points, you will be winners learning more about the animal resources in your community.

Among others, Gayle Rich-Boxman was an inspiration for this contest. Last April, Gayle celebrated the designated Prevention of Cruelty to Animals month by posting every single day about different aspects of pets and how to make their lives better. I was blown away by her undertaking and visited her post every day to support what I know was a daunting task.

The judges and I hope you will welcome the Pet Project Contest with the same level of support and you’ll recognize a great opportunity to make a difference in the lives of the animals in our community and those who love them.

 

Our Judges:

 

THE RULES 

 

~Contest begins 1AM E.S.T., Monday April 2^nd and will end at midnight E.S.T., Monday, April 23, 2012.

~Join the "Pet Project Group" - this will be where you post your entries. 

~Contestants will select four of ten topics from the list provided and enter four separate posts. Each post will be judged separately.

~Contestants will adhere to the spirit of the contest by highlighting pet interests in their locale. You’ll be judged on your efforts to draw attention to your specific “territory”.

~No rules regarding minimum or maximum number of words but following good SEO guidelines when writing your post will be taken into consideration during judging. 

~Use links to connect your readers to local services and information! 

~Our primary focus is good, relevant & helpful information to improve the lives of pets and the people who love them but, the judges (and your reading public) like attractive posts - use clip art, photography, colored fonts and good layouts. 

~Post all four entries separately to the Pet Project Group.

~When you have completed all four entries, go to the "I've Finished the Pet Project Contest Post" (a link will be provided by April 5th) and comment with either a link to all four posts OR at minimum the titles and dates of your four completed posts. Tammy Lankford wrote a terrific "How To Link" post. 

~It is also a good idea to post your articles to your favorite localism and pet groups!　

　

THE POINTS 

Prize Winners not only raise the consciousness for animal welfare but also get awesome SEO & Google Juice notoriety and the following rewards: 

Contest Entry Bonus 500 points...if all four posts are entered prior to the deadline of midnight E.S.T., April 23, 2012. 

"Early Bird" Bonus 500 points...if all FOUR entries are posted prior to midnight E.S.T., Thursday, April 12, 2012 

3rd Prize 1500 points

2nd Prize 2000 points 

1st Prize 3000 points 

 

The Topics - TAILOR THESE TO YOUR AREA ! 

1) I Lost My Pet/I Found Someone’s Pet…Make it simple for people whose pets have gone missing or if they’ve found someone else’s pet. Provide contact links or phone numbers of common places to make reuniting families and pets easier. In addition, offer suggestions for places to post on social media.

2) Where To Get An Animal Companion?...Let’s work together and stamp out backyard breeders and puppy mills…a pox on them all. Give suggestions in your area for the local humane society, animal shelter, local pet rescue groups, ethical breeders and breed specific rescue groups. 

3) Health Care...Shine a spotlight on the health services in your area with links to the local health providers, mention any specialties they might provide, such as holistic, oncology, geriatric, farm animals, birds, reproductive services, mobile services, emergency hospitals, etc. 

4) Grooming and Quality Boarding Services...Introduce master groomers, mobile groomers and help people find a place to board their pets, include not only boarding kennels but those who also offer boarding for birds and horses. 

5) Animal Advocacy...If someone is moving into your area or already lives there and wants to be involved in advocating for a better quality of life for animals…who can they be involved with? Do you have groups looking for volunteers to foster, raise money for spay/neuter, someone working for ethical treatment of farm animals, working against medical experimentation on animals…offer good information for people who care. 

6) Legal Matters for Animal Companions...Does your area have leash laws or are certain vaccinations required? Do pets have to be licensed? What is the role of “Animal Control” in your area? Is your shelter a “no-kill” or what kind of time do they give before euthanizing strays or turn-ins? 

7) Pet Friendly Entertainment...Does your area promote festivals or fundraisers to benefit pets? Mutt derbies or beauty pageants? Favorite dog friendly or horse friendly paths or trails? Dog parks? Outside dining that welcomes your pets sitting with you? 

8) Local Retail Offerings for Animal Companions...Grooming supplies, kennels, food, fun gifts for animal lovers, dog treat bakeries, non-toxic cleaning supplies? 

9) End of Life Issues for Pets...Does anyone provide hospice care, grief counseling, pet cremation services, pet cemeteries, when it’s time to say goodbye, pet headstones, condolence cards and gifts? 

10) My Heart is On My Sleeve - (Name Your Topic)...Post about what matters to you personally…a personal pet "hero" story, “real” pet rescue groups vs. puppy mill brokers, the foster experience, choosing the right pet, even special needs pets deserve a break, truth and myths about puppy mills or whatever topic you feel strongly about as an animal rights advocate.

P.S.  For those of you entering a contest for the first time...you can "bookmark" this post for easy reference.  Good Luck to All!

　

　

　

 

 

 

     

Unless noted otherwise, all photographs & content are my own and will only be shared with the courtesy of a written request for permission.