Official Rules for Virginia Living’s Cutest Pet 2025 Photo Contest

 
 
From here onwards, Cape Fear Publishing and Virginia Living magazine are referred to as “Owner.”
 
 

1. Eligibility

  • Pet owners must be Virginia residents at the time of submission.

  • Entries must include the pet’s name, breed (if applicable), and city or town.

 

 

2. Entry Guidelines

  • Submission Requirements: Each submission must include the pet’s photo, name, and selected category (“Top Dog,” “Coolest Cat,” “Farm Friend,” or “Adorable Other”). Photos must be original, unpublished, and appropriate for public viewing.

  • Contestants must retain a digital or hard copy of their photo entries.

  • All photo entries are subject to moderation. Owner and/or its agents have absolute discretion to accept, reject, or remove any photo entry without providing reasons.

  • Photo entries may be rejected for the following reasons:

    • Inclusion of defamatory, malicious, or inappropriate content.

    • Content that infringes on intellectual property rights without proper authorization.

    • Breach of these Terms and Conditions.

 

 

3. Entry Period

The Contest begins at 8:30 AM (Eastern Time) on February 3, 2025, and ends at 5:30 PM (Eastern Time) on March 16, 2025 (“Entry Period”). Late entries will not be accepted.

 

 

4. How to Enter

  • Visit VirginiaLiving.com/CutestPet2025 and complete the entry form linked there, including your pet’s name, breed (if applicable), city/town, selected category, and your contact information.

  • Submit your pet’s photo.

  • Owner is not responsible for lost, late, or incomplete entries.

 

 

5. Voting

  • Public voting will be available online from March 17 to April 17, 2025. One vote per person is free; additional votes can be purchased.

  • A portion of proceeds from purchased votes benefits the Richmond SPCA.

  • Owner reserves the right to disallow votes if it has reasonable grounds to suspect that fraudulent votes have been cast (i.e. more votes than a human being could possibly submit in the time available without the use of software or other devices designed to make automated votes). We reserve the right to disqualify any Finalist who engages in activity which could be designed to unfairly manipulate the outcome of the Public Vote.

  • Winners are determined by readers’ votes within each category, but Owner reserves the right to evaluate winners based on photo quality, originality, and alignment with the Contest’s goals.

  • In the event of an equal number of votes, all tied Finalists will be judged by our team, who will determine at its sole discretion which Finalist should win the Contest.

 

 

6. Prizes

  • Winners will be selected in each of the four categories. Each winner will receive:

    • A Richmond SPCA swag bag with branded merchandise.

    • An appearance in the Virginia Living print magazine.

    • A mock cover of Virginia Living featuring their pet as the cover star.

  • Owner reserves the right to exercise editorial discretion over published images to ensure alignment with its brand mission.

  • Prizes are awarded “as is” without warranties. Winners are responsible for taxes and any expenses not specified herein.

  • Odds of winning depend on the number of eligible entries received.

 

 

7. Donation Commitment

A portion of contest proceeds will benefit the Richmond SPCA, helping animals in need throughout Virginia.

 

 

8. Rights and Permissions

  • By entering, participants grant Owner a worldwide, royalty-free, perpetual, irrevocable, sub-licensable, and transferable license to use their photo entries for promotional purposes, including:

    • Contest-related content and promotions.

    • Online and offline media, including websites and future media technologies.

  • Owner reserves the right to edit, alter, combine, or excerpt portions of any entry.

  • Contestants indemnify Owner against claims related to their photo entries.

 

 

9. General Terms

  • Internet & Technical Issues: Owner is not responsible for technical errors affecting submissions, voting, or winner selection.

  • Disqualification: Owner may disqualify entries or participants for:

    • Failure to comply with these Terms and Conditions.

    • Tampering with the entry process.

    • Unsportsmanlike or disruptive behavior.

  • Miscellaneous:

    • By entering, participants waive the right to dispute decisions made under these rules.

    • Owner reserves the right to evaluate and verify all submissions.

    • Publication in Virginia Living is subject to editorial discretion.

    • None of the Contest Parties promise that the services relating to the Contest will be free from errors or omissions nor that they will be available uninterrupted and in a fully operating condition. These services may be suspended temporarily and without notice in the case of system failure, maintenance or repair or for reasons reasonably beyond the control of any Contest Party. We will not be liable in the event that all or any part of the service relating to the Contest is discontinued, modified or changed in any way.

  • Modifications: Owner may cancel the contest or modify these rules at its discretion. In case of disputes, Owner reserves the right to award or withhold prizes.

  • Binding Decisions: All decisions by Owner are final and binding.

 

 

10. Data Usage

  • Contestants’ personal information will be used solely to administer the Contest, in accordance with the Owner’s Privacy Statement.

  • Limited information may be shared with trusted partners when necessary to support the Contest's goals or related initiatives.

 

 

11. For Questions or Assistance

Contact Owner at Editors@CapeFear.com or (804) 343-7539.