The Unveiled Paws: Meet The Grand Prize Winners Of The 2025 Charity Pet Calendar Contests

As of December 2025, the highly anticipated results for the various "Paw Prints" and charity pet calendar contests across the nation have been officially announced, celebrating not just adorable pets but also monumental fundraising achievements for animal welfare. These annual photo competitions serve as crucial fundraisers for local humane societies and rescue organizations, turning cute pet photos into vital resources for animals in need. The 2025 calendars are now being distributed, showcasing a stunning array of dogs, cats, and even a few exotic pets, with the top winners earning the coveted cover and monthly spots.

The 2025 calendar winners represent a diverse group of pets whose owners rallied incredible community support, often raising thousands of dollars through public voting. From the grand prize winner who was honored by his entire city to a group of 13 diverse champions, these contests highlight the powerful bond between humans and their animal companions. We dive into the most significant results, reveal the grand prize winners, and detail the impressive charitable impact of these beloved competitions.

The Grand Champion: Barnabas, Alexandria's Animal of the Year

One of the most heartwarming stories from the 2025 calendar season comes from Alexandria, Virginia, where the Animal Welfare League of Alexandria (AWLA) crowned its Grand Prize Winner. The title of "Alexandria’s 2025 Animal of the Year" and the coveted front and back cover spots on the calendar went to a charming basset hound named Barnabas.

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Barnabas’s victory was not just a popularity contest; it was a massive fundraising effort. He secured his top spot by raising the most funds for the AWLA during the competitive voting period. His success underscores the true spirit of the competition: leveraging cuteness for a critical cause. The funds raised directly support the AWLA’s mission to provide shelter, medical care, and adoption services for thousands of animals in the Alexandria area.

The impact of Barnabas’s win was so significant that the city of Alexandria proclaimed a "Pet Of The Year Day" in his honor, a first for the city. This recognition solidifies the importance of these calendar contests in the community, transforming a simple photo competition into a major civic event. Barnabas, along with all the other monthly winners, received a professional photo shoot to capture their calendar-worthy portraits.

The $28,000 Milestone: Leon County Humane Society's Top 13

The Leon County Humane Society (LCHS) in Tallahassee, Florida, runs one of the most established and successful annual contests, and the results for their 2025 Paw Prints Calendar were nothing short of spectacular. This year's competition (which determined the pets featured in the 2025 calendar) shattered previous records, raising an astounding over $28,000 for the organization.

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This massive influx of donations is vital for the LCHS, a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization that relies on community support to continue its life-saving work, including adoptions, spay/neuter programs, and emergency medical care for rescued pets.

A Diverse Cast of 2025 Calendar Stars

The LCHS contest is unique for its commitment to diversity, ensuring the calendar showcases a wide variety of pets. The 13 top winners—who earned a full page or the cover—were celebrated for their unique stories and the incredible support they garnered from voters.

The 2025 calendar features a truly heartwarming and diverse cast, including:

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• A charming bunny, proving the contest is not just for dogs and cats.
• A courageous tripod wonder doggie, highlighting the resilience of special-needs pets.
• Several adorable cats, including a few who secured coveted monthly spots.
• A mix of different dog breeds, from small companions to large, majestic canines.

Each of the top 13 winners was professionally photographed by the talented Black & Hue Photography, ensuring the 2025 Paw Prints Calendar is a stunning, high-quality tribute to the winning pets. Their expertise transforms simple pet portraits into works of art, adding immense value to the calendar as a keepsake and a fundraiser.

How Your Pet Can Win a Coveted 2026 Calendar Spot

The immense success of the 2025 calendar contests has already sparked excitement for the next round of competitions. Many organizations, including the Leon County Humane Society, are already gearing up for their 2026 calendar contest, with voting often starting in the spring or summer of 2025. This is the perfect opportunity for pet owners to start planning their entry.

Winning a spot in a major charity pet calendar requires a combination of a great photo, an endearing story, and a dedicated social media campaign. Here are the key entities and strategies for aspiring winners:

Key Strategies for Aspiring Calendar Contest Winners

1. Focus on Fundraising: Remember, these are primarily fundraisers. The pet that raises the most money often wins the grand prize (like Barnabas). Encourage friends, family, and co-workers to vote, as each vote typically equals a small donation to the charity.
2. Professional Photography: While a good smartphone photo can get you far, the grand prize winners often receive a professional on-location photo session. For contests like the LCHS's, the winners are photographed by experts like Black & Hue Photography. Submitting a high-quality, well-lit photograph is essential for initial appeal.
3. Embrace the LSI Niche: The most successful entries often have a compelling narrative. Whether your pet is a rescue, has a unique trait (like a tripod wonder doggie), or represents a rare breed (like the winning Morkies Sophie & Gabby from another contest), lean into that story. Voters connect with pets that have a backstory.
4. Understand the Rules: Different organizations, such as the Paw Partners Unleashed contest, may have different prize structures, like the top 12 dogs winning a session with Pawtraits by Nicole. Always check the official contest rules for the specific charity you are supporting.

The 2025 Paw Prints Calendar winners have set a high bar, demonstrating the immense power of community-driven fundraising for animal welfare. By participating, whether you win a monthly spot or simply raise a few dollars, you are directly contributing to the life-saving mission of these dedicated humane societies.