2025 Animal Stories

Calling all pet parents!
Time to gather those photos for the 2025 Animal Stories Pet Contest
Winners to receive $50 from Lincoln Farm & Home Supply

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[December 29, 2024]   As we enter into the new year, Lincoln Daily News is excited to announce that the annual Animal Stories Pet Contest will return as a fun and rewarding way for readers to be a part of our special online magazine for 2025.

This year the categories have changed a little bit as have a couple of stipulations for entries, so please read on, then over the New Year holiday dig out those favorite photos of you precious pets and join in the fun.

Remember, there are five categories for entry, with one winner chosen from each. The winning entry will receive a $50 gift card from the Lincoln Farm & Home Supply. Thank you to Farm & Home for once again this year being a great sponsor and partner in this contest!

There are a few simple rules:

1. Entries must live in Logan County.

2. Winners must be available for a photo op at the Lincoln Farm & Home Supply after the judging.

Winners will be notified via phone or email, and a time appointed for receiving their gift card at Farm & Home Supply.

3. You may enter your pet once in every applicable category, BUT you must submit a different photo for each entry. While your pet may be entered in multiple categories, it may only win in ONE. Judges will be asked to choose their top three in each category and if we have duplicate winners, LDN staff will decide which pet wins in which category and then the second choice will be awarded the prize in the second category.

4. Photos shall not contain any suggestive or indecent language or poses.

5. While it is okay for people to be in the photos, it is not preferred, and the animal should still be the focal point of the photo.

6. NO ENTRIES WILL BE ACCEPTED VIA SOCIAL MEDIA. We have tried for the last several years to accommodate those who send their entries in this manner, but the truth is that it doesn’t work for photo quality, and we feel that sometimes really cute pictures suffer because we cannot improve the quality enough to make them good.

All entries should be submitted via the google form that is provided via this button.


CLICK

Find this button not only here, but in the right-hand column on the Local Stories page of our daily editions.

Entries may also be mailed or hand delivered to Lincoln Daily News, with all the appropriate information and a photo. PLEASE NOTE photos that are mailed to our office will not be returned.

You may hand deliver entries to Lincoln Daily News at 520 Broadway Street in Lincoln, which is also the mailing address. Office hours are Monday through Friday 8 a.m. to noon.

Entries are due by February 7th, 2025. Late entries will be disallowed.

This will be a blind judging, with entries being viewed and voted upon by an assigned number. The judges shall be three to five individuals who have not seen the photos or entry forms prior to judging.

Now for this year’s categories!

Kitty Korner – for cats only - Over the years we have noted that we get mostly dog photos, but we know there are some adorable kitties out in the community as well. With this category, submit photos of your favorite feline whether it be a kitten or a full grown cat.

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Best Expression – for all household pets - Animals can be very expressive, speaking to us through those expressions and making us love them all the more. We know you have those pix where your adorable pet had that special look that is unique to it and makes you smile. We want you to share that photo with our readers, and perhaps the judges will think it is the best of the best!

Cutest/Most Cuddly – for all household pets - Historically this is always our biggest and most difficult judging challenge. There are so many cute animals out there that it is hard to choose. You can submit any animal that is you pet, be it a dog, cat, bird, or just whatever. Remember all photos submitted with be published in the online magazine, and one lucky animal will get a shopping spree at Farm & Home!

Animals in Action – for indoor and outdoor pets - We’ve seen some great pictures in the past. Animals jumping into water, digging in snow, fetching a stick, climbing a tree, or investigating something new in the home. These are great photos that deserve to be seen.

Barnyard Buddies – For animals that are part of the farmstead - We are the heart of rural America where that farmland and farm animals are abundant. We know that there are horses, goats, ducks, geese, chickens, even pigs that are favorites on the farm complete with names and a special place in the heart of its owner, thus making them a pet. We want you to share those photos with our readers and let them know why Porker the Pig is a favorite barnyard buddy or how the goose in the garden makes you laugh with its antics.

Please note, no wild animals are acceptable in any of these categories. Animals should be an indoor or outdoor domestic pet, or a barnyard pet. At the same time, pet can include atypical animals such as lizards, iguana, dragons, hedgehogs, guinea pigs, rabbits, pet mice or rats, pet snakes and well hopefully you get the message. If it is domesticated it qualifies as a pet.

Rainbow Bridge

Last but far from least, we want to encourage participation in the Rainbow Bridge.

There is no judging and no prize given for entries in the Rainbow Bridge. This is a place where you may memorialize pets that have passed and wait for you at the foot of the rainbow bridge.

You are encouraged to submit your photo and a few words about your pet.

The annual Animal Stories magazine is a favorite of LDN staff because we get the chance to see and share with readers all those wonderful animals that you love like your children or at least your best friends. We look forward to hearing from all of you in the very near future.

Remember, the entry deadline is February 7th, and there will be five opportunities for pets to win $50 gift cards courtesy of Lincoln Farm & Home Supply.

[Nila Smith]

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