Break out Your Camera: Enter Your Favorite Shots in the American Humane Association's Pets & Pals Photo Contest(TM)

DENVER, June 16 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Each year the American Humane Association puts out a call for the nation's best photographs featuring animals and their pals. Beginning Sunday, June 15, American Humane will accept entries for the 2008 Pets & Pals Photo Contest.

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Regardless of whether you are a professional or an amateur, a digital shooter or a 35 mm devotee, an outdoor enthusiast or a studio photographer, you can enter. Enter as many photos as you like for a shot at a grand prize of $2,000! The call for entries will only run until July 31, so start snapping away!

This year's Pets & Pals Photo Contest is bigger and better, with new categories and more prizes. American Humane is looking for photos that would fit the following categories:

Dogs - Your dog is a loyal friend, playmate, service companion or member of the family. Capture your dog's personality. This category is open to pictures of one dog alone or more than one dog together.

Cats - They're graceful! They're playful! They're curious! What is your cat up to? This category is open to pictures of one cat alone or more than one cat together.

People & Pets - What are we without our pets and what are our pets without us? Honor a special human-animal bond. This category is open to pictures of one or more animals with one or more people.

Petpourri - Have a great picture of your dog and cat together? Got a pet besides a dog or cat? This category is open to pictures of one or more companion animals of any variety.

Down on the Farm - Take your pick of the many animals found on a farm and capture a unique shot. This category is open to pictures of farm or ranch animals.

Shelter Life - At an animal shelter, amazing, devoted people take care of homeless animals waiting to be adopted. Snap a shot honoring both the animals and the professionals. This category is open to pictures of shelter staff, volunteers, veterinarians, and animal control professionals and/or animals, in shelter settings.

Last year, the winners included touching pictures of adorable children, poignant photos of endearing animals and creative shots of animals with people. So give it a try and see what your photographer's eye can come up with! Visit www.americanhumane.org/petsandpals for submission guidelines.

The Fine Print

Two Grand Prize winners will be selected: one from the first five categories combined, and one from the Shelter Life category. Each of the two Grand Prize winners will win $2,000 plus a noncash prize package. Of the remaining finalists in each category, six Category Winners (one in each category) will each win $500 plus a noncash prize package. Entries will be judged on creativity, composition, photo quality and appropriateness to category. Last year's winners are not eligible to win. Entrants must be 18 or older. One prize per person. Grand-Prize winners are not eligible to win Category prizes. See the official rules for more details. Winners will be announced on or about September 10, 2008.

About American Humane

Founded in 1877, the American Humane Association is the only national organization dedicated to protecting both children and animals. Through a network of child and animal protection agencies and individuals, American Humane develops policies, legislation, curricula and training programs to protect children and animals from abuse, neglect and exploitation. The nonprofit membership organization, headquartered in Denver, raises awareness about The Link(R) between violence to people and violence to animals, as well as the benefits derived from the human-animal bond. American Humane's regional office in Los Angeles is the authority behind the "No Animals Were Harmed"(R) end-credit disclaimer on film and TV productions, and American Humane's office in Washington, D.C., is an advocate for child and animal protection at the federal and state levels. The American Humane Certified(TM) farm animal program is the nation's original independent certification and labeling program for humanely raised food. American Humane meets the strong, comprehensive standards of the Better Business Bureau's Wise Giving Alliance, has been awarded the Independent Charities of America's "Best in America" Seal of Approval, and has received a 3-star rating from Charity Navigator, America's leading charity evaluator. Visit www.americanhumane.org to learn more.