Official Rules:

1. The Ahwatukee Foothills News (AFN) is proud to host the Ahwatukee Pet Idol Contest and Ahwatukee Pet Video Contest. A portion of the entry fees and voting fees will benefit AZ R.E.S.C.U.E.*
2. The Entry fee is $5 for one picture and $5 for one video.
3. The winner(s) will receive prizes from our retail sponsors. There will be one winner for the Pet Idol contest and one winner for the video contest.
4. Eligibility subject to rules below. Employees and families of the AFN, Tribune Newspapers and Freedom Communications are not eligible to enter or to win.
5. All pets submitted must live in the Ahwatukee area in the zip codes of 85044, 85045, 85048, 85284, and 85226. Any pets submitted that do not live in the previously mentioned zip codes will be disqualified and will not be eligible to win.
6. The Ahwatukee Pet Video Contest entries must be placed on www.ahwatukee.com See the online area for required formats. All videos are limited to 30 seconds.
7. You can enter the Ahwatukee Pet Idol contest via the Internet, in person or by mail. For Internet entry, visit the contest pages at www.Ahwatukee.com complete all required information on the form entry and follow posted instructions. By entering, you agree to the terms of these official rules. For a mail in or in-person entry, complete an Entry Form available in the AFN paper at many Ahwatukee locations or at the AFN office, 10631 S. 51st St., Phoenix, AZ 85044. Office hours are 8:00 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday (except legal holidays). All entries must be postmarked by May 30th, 2008, or received in AFN office by 5 p.m. May 30, 2008 (and include the digital copy of the photo). Only one photo per entry is permitted. A family may enter more than one pet. Each entry must include a separate photo (submitted digitally), with separate entry form and fee. The AFN will not be responsible for incomplete, lost, late, postage due, misdirected or illegible entries, whether originating with sender or AFN. All entries and pictures become property of AFN and none will be returned.
8. Photo entries can be emailed to ecota@ahwatukee.com (or mailed/delivered on a CD.) Online entries will be submitted through www.ahwatukee.com. Mailed or hand-delivered entries must submit photos on a CD. Photos will be accepted in color or black/white. Digital photos must be submitted in JPG format and photos cannot be returned.
9. Entries not placed online must accompany a completed entry form and checks must be made payable to AFN. The five dollar ($5) entry fee is payable by check, money order, cash or credit card. Entries can donate more than five dollars.
10. The AFN readers will cast votes for their favorite pet photo and/or their favorite pet video. Voting ballots will be available in the newspaper, at the AFN office, or online at www.ahwatukee.com Please mail completed voting ballot along with your donation.
11. Entries to the Pet Idol Contest will be accepted April 18 through May 30th, 2008. All electronic entries must be received by midnight, May 30th, 2008; All entries must be postmarked by May 30th, 2008, and received in AFN office by 5 p.m. May 30, 2008 (and include a digital copy of the photo.) Walk-in entries must be in the AFN office by 5 p.m. May 30th, 2008 (and include a digital copy of the photo). The top 50 contestant photos will be published in the AFN and online at www.ahwatukee.com Entry forms and ballots will also be in the paper and online. The contest will consist of two (2) rounds.
12. Voting will be done in two rounds, one in June, July, with the Ahwatukee Pet Idol winner being named in August 15th. Voting for the Round One will begin June 1st continuing through June 20th. The contestants with the highest votes will continue to the next round. Round One voting (mail or electronic) must be received in AFN office by 5pm on June 20th, 2008. The top 15 contestants for Round One will be published in the June 27th edition of the AFN. These contestants will proceed to Round Two, which will begin July 1st continuing through July 18th. Round Two votes must be received in the AFN office by 5pm on July 18th, 2008. The top contestants for Round Two will be published in the July 25th edition of the AFN. Winners will be announced in the Aug 15, 2008 Pet Idol Special Tab publication and online.
13. Votes will be $1 per vote; additional donations will be accepted in any amount. A portion of the proceeds from entries and votes will go to AZ R.E.S.C.U.E.
14. Declined credit card transactions or returned checks will result in removal of entries and/or votes.
15. Votes from Round One will carry forward to Round Two, and Round Two votes will carry forward to the finals.
16. The Pet Video contest will have two rounds and be announced online and in the AFN. The first round being announced on June 27th and the second on July 25th. The final winner will be announced August 15th both online and in the paper. Round Two to be determined by number of votes.
17. In the case of a tie, the AFN Pet Idol & Video Contest Committee will decide the tie.
18. To claim prizes, winners must furnish photo identification. Winners will be notified via phone and will be expected to pick up their prizes at the AFN office at 10631 S. 51st St., Phoenix, AZ 85044.
19. Additional questions should be directed to Elaine Cota, Classified Manager at ecota@ahwatukee.com or 480-898-7926

AZ R.E.S.C.U.E.
RESCUE is a registered non-profit volunteer based animal rescue organization located in Maricopa County. Unlike organizations such as the Arizona Humane Society or Animal Care and Control, RESCUE has no central facility and is volunteer run. Our focus is euthanasia list rescue from our county shelters. We were founded in 1995, and with the support of our volunteers and our community, we have found homes for over 8,800 dogs and cats. Our motto is for every animal adopted, we are back to rescue another. Maricopa County has one of the highest euthanasia rates per capital in the country, so we have much work to do on behalf of these animals. We depend on the community for our support and offer a variety of satisfying ways for you to get involved in our mission to end euthanasia.