Pawfect Pet Photo Competition

" Seamus here, honourary pet at Pett Level Independent Rescue Boat (PLIRB), that's me in the photo!

Unfortunately, the pandemic has closed down our community fundraising so, as we're a self-funded charity, this means we're pretty sad puppies around here tail down, covers eyes with paws

But, we got to thinking ... we're sometimes known as 'pett rescue', which sounds like something else entirely! So perhaps a cheeky play on the Pett / pet word will help us generate funds and put some FUN into some online fundraising?

The idea stayed with us and here it is ... welcome to our Pawfect Pet Photo Competition! excited barking

And even more exciting? Friend of the PLIRB charity, comedian Jo Brand, is going to be our virtual judge! rolls on back, wagging like mad

Now as a member of the team, I can't put one of my own fabby photos in big sad sigh, puppy eyes but the upside is I'm leaving plenty of opportunity for my furry, feathered and other-footed, finned or fishy friends to have a chance wags tail

Just get your owner to search through those snaps, or put yourself into the perfect pose for one of our fun categories (and no, you don't have to be a cat)!

• FLUFFIEST PET * includes those of you with fluffy feathers and even fleeces ... if you're fluffy, get your photo in!

• HELPFUL PET * whether you're a qualified assistance animal, or a pet that's super helpful around the home, garden or work, this could be the category for you. All it takes is a photo of you being helpful (whether you were invited to or not) and Jo will judge you!

• SCARY PET * scary and hairy, bald and blood-curdling, toothy and terrifying? Don't worry, you have a place in our hearts and our competition. Even if you're normally nice but you got caught on camera having a bad day, let's see that scary side of you!

• HAPPIEST PET * because everyone knows a goldfish can smile, right? Whether it's a toothy grin or a 'caught-on-camera' grimace, give us a smile for the camera!

• ALL-ACTION PET * has your owner got a shot of you going all out to get amongst the action? Then this is your category - please share!

• ONE OF THE FAMILY * are you a dog, cat, even a rabbit that resembles its owner? Perhaps you're a goat that thinks it's one of the kids? However it works, let's have a look at those family photos. For this category though, your owner must be comfortable that the photo may possibly be shared on our social media and website if you're the winner, so please be sure you're happy for the persons to be included please!

TO ENTER:

1. Please send an email with picture attached to plirbphotocomp@gmail.com and within the email please include:

• Pet name
• Category for entry
• Contact telephone number.
• Please could you also state if you are happy for the photo to be shared on our social media?

2. For each photo entry you submit, it would be fabulous if you could make a donation of £5 to this page. Just use the donation button and add the pet name and category to the message part of the donation. You could also add your own message if you'd like to - we love to hear from our supporters frantic tail-wagging, mad barking

The competition closes at 5 pm on Sunday 11th October. After this, no more entries will be accepted and Judge Jo Brand will have the seriously hard task of choosing the Pawfect Pet for each category.

Winners will be announced on #winningwednesday 14th October - which also happens to be Hastings Day, a nod to our local area and our Hastings-celebrity judge!

And prizes?

• Categories: for each category, the winner chosen by Jo will receive a rosette, certificate and a pack of our greetings cards (each winner can choose from out 8 lovely pack options).
• Overall: from the 6 category winners, Jo will also pick an overall competition winner, for the prize of a 20cm x 30 cm canvas, printed by Max Spielmann at Hastings (Churchwood Drive Tesco Extra). The canvas can be of any photo of the winner's choice - it doesn't have to be the competition entry (unless you want it to be of course)!

Thanks Max Spielman and Jo Brand for making this possible!

chases tail with joy

Small print:
When you submit your photo by email, please remember to tell us in your email whether we can share the photo on our social media or not! We'd love to share the love (and the lovely photos) but would like your permission to do so. It's especially important for the pet / owner / family photo category. It'll also mean we can share who's won on our website and social media pages!

As a self-funded charity, my PLIRB people are working hard to stay afloat in these uncertain times! With our income from fundraising down 95% compared to 2019, by submitting photos of your pets, you'll be helping my humans raise money so they can continue saving lives at sea.

Well, I'm dog-tired now yawns so all that's left is to say THANK YOU SO MUCH!

High five, Seamus! "