GAWS Graduates 2026 Calendar Competition – entries CLOSED
July 30, 2025
Make your pet a star!
This year’s theme is: “Living Their Best Life”.
We’re calling out to all GAWS pet parents – it's time for your furry friend to shine. From beach runs and cozy couch snuggles to camping adventures and backyard zoomies. Show us your pet embracing the joy of their second chance. We want to see how your GAWS Graduate is thriving, exploring, relaxing, or just being their wonderful selves in their forever home.
To enter, your pet must:
Entries open now – don't miss your chance to make your pet a GAWS superstar in 2026!
Snap 2 photos of your pet enjoying life to the fullest and include a short caption or story about what “living their best life” means to them now.
Let’s celebrate the joy, love, and second chances that GAWS helps create, one happy pet at a time.
Conditions
Submit TWO (2) different LANDSCAPE images of your pet (please note – images MUST be landscape).
Image size to be no smaller than 2MB.
Animal must have been adopted from Geelong Animal Welfare Society (GAWS). We may request additional information to enable us to verify this.
Competition is open to all past GAWS Graduates (including those adopted by staff, former staff and volunteers).
Competition closes 11:59pm Saturday, 23 August 2025 with finalists announced Tuesday 9th September 2025 (via website, Facebook & Instagram).
Tips & tricks for the perfect pic
Lighting
Natural lighting is key. Take your photo in the middle of the day and try to position your animal by a window.
Example: Evening photo with artificial light vs day time by a window.
Background
Ensure the surrounding area around your pet is free from household items. Keeping your
shot tight (close up) will eliminate the background 'noise' that can be present in a home.
Get your pet's attention
Using your pet's favourite toy or treat, hold it behind the camera to get your pets attention. It may take a squeak of a toy, a silly sound from you – but it works as their eyes and ears will look alert.
An engaged pet really comes through the lens and brings your pet's personality out.
Landscape image
Hold your camera or mobile horizontally.
Submit two different landscape images of your pet (please note – images MUST be landscape).
GAWS Graduates 2026 Calendar
Sponsorship opportunity
We’re calling on businesses to support the animals at Geelong Animal Welfare Society through the GAWS Graduates 2026 Calendar.
For a small sponsorship fee, we’d like to offer local businesses an opportunity to gain exposure through our GAWS Graduates Calendar program. Your sponsorship will ensure that 100% of the proceeds from the sales of the calendars go directly toward supporting the animals in care at GAWS with everything they need before finding their forever homes.
Contact the marketing and fundraising team at GAWS for more information, email fundraising@gaws.org.au.
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