This article was featured in WYDaily on 6/16/23.

Show off pictures of your pet’s goofiest grin, dapper stance, cool in the pool joy and more as The Heritage Humane Society invites pet lovers to enter this year’s Hello Summer Photo Contest with Sweet Ellie Photography.

The third annual Hello Summer Pet Photo Contest lets people share the treasured photos of their pets while raising funds to help Greater Williamsburg’s largest homeless pet population. Furry, feathered, scaly, every pet is eligible to be entered.

The contest opens beginning June 26, 2023, at 7 a.m. and runs through 5 p.m. on July 17. Each entry photo can only include one pet and no other pets or people. Pet photo entries are just $3 each. Votes are $1 each and people can vote as many times as they wish. The submission fees are used to help the shelter’s homeless pets. Last year the contest raised more than $5,200 in the spirited competition and the goal this year is to raise more than $7,500.

Each entry has a chance to win within weekly categories and three overall winners will receive a pet photography session with Sweet Ellie Photography. The weekly categories with mini prizes awarded each Friday during the contest are:

• June 30: The pet who receives the most donations this week.

• July 7: The pet with the most new votes this week.

• July 14: The cat who is the current vote leader.

Winner, winner

The three pets who receive the move votes throughout the contest will each receive complimentary photo sessions with Sweet Ellie Photography. The winning pets will have one image from their session on display at The Heritage Humane Society for one year. This past year’s winners were Gracie, Bella and Tracker whose canvases are currently hung in the shelter’s classroom that is sponsored by Tide Radio and WY Daily.

Nicole Moyer, owner of Sweet Ellie Photography, is a pet photographer serving Virginia. She thrives by capturing the personalities of pets through her signature poignant portraits. An ardent supporter of the life-changing work done for the pet community at The Heritage Humane Society, she sees her donation of the photography sessions for the three overall pet winners as a small act to help.

“This is one of my favorite times of the year because I love how our community comes together to support The Heritage Humane Society while celebrating our pets through the Hello Summer Pet Photo Contest,” shares Nicole Moyer, owner and pet photographer of Sweet Ellie Photography.

Meet these photogenic, adoptable pets

This week’s homeless pet spotlights are:

• Dean. Say hello to Dean Martin, aka The King of Cool, aka Dean! This five-year-old cool guy has been searching for his forever home since March 2021 when his owner had to move overseas. He is a sweet and loveable dog who loves to play. Dean enjoys going on walks and running around with tennis balls and stuffy toys. Peanut butter and Cheez-Whiz are his love language! Dean is always in the mood for treats and would love to binge-watch all the latest shows with you. This King of Cool will do best as the center of attention in his forever home, one that does not have other dogs, cats or even children.

• Matteo. This six-year-old kitty came in as a stray. He is currently in the HHS cat colony room and he is quite comfortable around other kitties. When he’s in the mood for attention, he loves to be petted and will purr contently, basking in the warmth of your affection. He will eagerly seek out a lap to curl up on. There are also times when Matteo is happy to be on his own. If you’re looking for a low-maintenance companion who appreciates the simple joys in life, Matteo might just be the cat for you.

The Heritage Humane Society has more than 240 dogs, cats and small pets currently in their care. Adoptable pets are available to meet during The Heritage Humane Society’s visiting and adopting hours from 12 to 4:30 p.m., Tues. through Sun.

To learn more, visit HeritageHumane.org, call 757-221-0150, or visit The Heritage Humane Society located at 430 Waller Mill Rd, Williamsburg, VA 23185.

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