Dogs on Deployment is a national non-profit which provides a network for military members to search for volunteers willing to board their pets during their service commitments.
At Dogs on Deployment, we aim to promote responsible, lifelong pet ownership within the military-pet community. One way we spotlight this goal is by hosting our annual Military Pet of the Year competition where our winner will be the Dogs on Deployment Mascot for one year, signifying their military owner’s commitment to a healthy, engaged lifestyle with their pet.
Military Pet Owners, Here’s Your Chance
Attention military pet owners – your dog could be the next “Military Pet of the Year” mascot! The 2018 Dogs on Deployment Military Pet of the Year (MPOTY) competition has begun. During the annual MPOTY event, military members are invited to proudly show off their dogs along with the rest of their families.
Our current 2017 MPOTY, Tanzie
Does your dog have what it takes to be named the 2018 Military Pet of the Year?
Check out the contest timeline below!
Contest Timeline:
SUBMIT YOUR ENTRY:
1/14 at 7:00 am through 1/28 at 7:00 pm
VOTING IS OPEN:
2/4 at 7:00 am through 2/18 at 7:00 pm
JUDGING PERIOD:
2/19 at 7:00 am through 2/25 at 7:00 pm
WINNERS ANNOUNCED:
3/1 at 12:00 pm
(All times are EST)
This year’s competition is brought to you by:
GEICO https://www.geico.com
Tough Pup https://toughpup.com
Lazy Dog Cookies http://lazydogcookies.com
2018 MPOTY Application and Contest Entry Process
Your application must include:
- Documentation proving military status
- Basic information
- A photo to be used for the contest, and
- 500 written words on why your dog should be chosen as Dogs on Deployment’s 2018 Military Pet of the Year and Mascot. This essay will be used as a caption for your dog’s photo during voting.
Examples of topics for your essay are:
- How did you get the dog in the first place?
- What are some difficulties you’ve had caring for the dog along with your service commitments?
- Any illness/accidents your dog has overcome?
- How do you exhibit being a responsible pet owner in the military, etc.?
Your entry will be reviewed by the Dogs on Deployment Board to ensure compliance with the contest entry requirements listed below. Any entry not meeting these requirements will be disqualified from the competition. Submit your entries beginning January 14th at 7 am EST; they may be submitted until January 28st at 7 pm EST, at which time the contest is closed to any and all submissions.
Voting begins February 4th at 7 am EST, and closes on February 18th at 7 pm EST. During this time, each person is allowed one vote within a 24-hour period.
The Dogs on Deployment Board of Trustees will then pick the winner from the top three finalists receiving the highest amounts of popular votes. The winner is announced on March 1st at 12 pm EST.
MPOTY Contest Entry Requirements and Code Overview
Entry and Photo Requirements
- Dogs only
- May be any adult breed dog (over 1-year-old)
- Dog must be spayed or neutered unless involved with responsible dog showing or breeding
- Dog must be owned by an active duty or reservist military member or honorably discharged veteran
- Dog must be a family pet whose owner meets our Code of a Military Pet Owner (see below)
- Photo must be high resolution; prefer no phone photos, +200dpi, larger than 1200px x 1200px print quality
- Portrait or candid style photo of military owned dog
- No more than two dogs may be shown in the photo for a single entry
- No humans allowed in photo
- Professional photographs preferred
- Photo must be original to owner
- Photo permissions must be given to Dogs on Deployment for reuse
- Contestants may not pay for votes, or use online pay-advertising to promote voting
- Winners must be willing to be photographed in uniform with your dog for Dogs on Deployment imagery
- Winners must be willing to maintain a Facebook page for Dogs on Deployment’s 2018 Military Pet of the Year and Mascot for one year
- Winners must be willing to attend local events and speak on behalf of Dogs on Deployment to potential media contacts
Code of a Military Pet Owner
I’m a US Military Member and pet owner. I promise to always have a plan for them. I promise never to abandon them. I promise to keep them healthy and vaccinated. I promise to spay or neuter them. I promise to train and socialize them. I promise to love them as unconditionally as they love me. I promise to be a good pet owner while serving my country. I promise this.
Good Luck everyone!
