Bark & Gold Photography is excited to partner with Biggies Bullies for its fifth annual pet calendar contest! This year's contest ran from January 11, 2021 and through March 6, 2021 and raised $21,501, making this our biggest calendar contest year to date!
Biggies Bullies is a Pittsburgh foster home-based rescue founded in 2011, which focuses on educating the public on responsible pet ownership, positive force-free training, and the importance of spaying and neutering their pets. This 100% volunteer-developed and staffed rescue ensures proper placement by making appropriate matches to the right families through love, care, and humane training and remains a lifelong resource for those families. Proceeds from the sale of the calendar along with entry and voting fees throughout the photo contest will assist Biggies Bullies with its mission of rescuing and re-homing pit bull-type dogs in Pittsburgh and the surrounding areas.
Looking to grab our 2021 pet calendar? Click here to purchase yours, available through August 2021.
The Fun is Done...See Who Won
The 2022 Biggies Bullies pet calendar contest has ended, but we hope you will join us next year. In the meantime, click the button to see our 13 grand prize winners and learn more about the contest.
How is the money raised used?
All proceeds from contest entries and votes along with subsequent calendar sales directly support Biggies Bullies with rescuing and re-homing pit bull type dogs in Pittsburgh and the surrounding areas. In past years, calendar contest donations have also funded its free vaccine clinics and programs like Hungry Hippos Food Pantry and its Freedom Harness Exchange.
What can I win?
The top 13 vote getters will win a professional on-location photo session by Bark & Gold Photography scheduled on pre-determined dates at pre-determined locations throughout the greater Pittsburgh area. The top vote recipient will win the coveted cover photo for the 2022 calendar. The following 12 recipients with the most votes will be eligible to have their pet featured as a pet of the month.
Does my dog have to be a pit bull or a rescue to enter or is it open to all breeds?
Because we are raising money for a pit bull-focused rescue, most entries are pit-bull type dog; however, all breeds are welcomed and encouraged to enter! We encourage you to submit your favorite photo of your pets and ask your family and friends to vote for them. And while we love a good rescue story, we have dogs from a variety of backgrounds entered each year.
When and where will the sessions be held?
Complimentary calendar contest sessions will be held on pre-determined dates from March to June 2021 at select locations throughout the Pittsburgh area. Exact details will be provided to winners upon completion of the calendar contest.
For those interested in a more customized experience, an option to upgrade this complimentary session is available for an additional fee.
Can I enter more than one pet?
Definitely--but there is a limit of one pet per photo entry. People are not allowed in photos, only your pet. Photos that do not follow these rules will be removed and will not be eligible to win with no opportunity for a refund.
We encourage you to review the contest rules carefully to ensure your entry is eligible.
What is the reserve a grid space option?
Honor your pet or celebrate a gotcha-day or birthday by reserving an empty grid space (before or after the numbered squares) for their photo. Choose a favorite photo, a month, and pay. Each month has a limited number of squares in each grid and will be filled on a first come, first served basis.
Each grid space is just $10 and guarantees your pet a small feature.
This Year's Mini-Contest Prize Sponsors
Week 1
Collars and accessories handmade in Pittsburgh with love in every stitch
Week 2
Hand poured non-toxic candles you will PAWsitively love
Week 3
Well-designed, stylish products for dogs and their people
Week 4
Experienced dog grooming with an upscale salon experience for your pet
Week 5
Healthy personalized dog food recipes for your dog's best life founded with your dog's health in mind
Week 6
A pet food and supply store for dogs and cats located on East Ohio Street in Pittsburgh's Northside
Week 7
A popular mobile coffeeshop with a passion for supporting animal rescue
Week 8
Healthy products for healthy pets, including the best premium and natural pet food and supplies in Pittsburgh
Want to Host Your Own Pet Calendar Contest?
Pick up my comprehensive 68-page calendar contest guide available exclusively through the Hair of the Dog Academy via the banner below. For a convenient, ready-to-go landing page template, check out Kristen Murray Photography's Squarespace calendar contest landing page template.
"I purchased the course in August and went straight to put it into action. It ended up being so successful [in] raising $11,000 for my chosen charity."
Ina J. of Ina J Photography
"After [Jessica's] podcast, [I] employed a few ideas, wrote up the proposal and all the content for posting, gave it to the shelter, and they ran with it. We raised $16K!"
Maren S. of Maren Sater Photography
"I wanted to thank you for your calendar contest plan. I received it in Elevate (so I paid for it indirectly), but I want you to know this is worth paying for. Your program is outstanding!"
Jan B. of Shadow Dog Photography
