(LOS ANGELES, Aug. 2, 2005) — They travel without toothbrushes or clean underwear. They refuse to use silverware, most don't shower, and many sleep on the floor. Nonetheless, millions of pets will join their human companions on vacation this summer and there'll be pictures to prove it.
The Automobile Club of Southern California and AAA want those pictures.
AAA has announced an open call for photographs of traveling pets as part of its Traveling With Your Pet: The AAA PetBook Photo Contest. Top prize: $100 and a cover photo in next year's edition of the The AAA PetBook.
Photos must feature at least one pet and have a travel theme. The winning entry will become a cover photo on the 8th edition of Traveling With Your Pet: The AAA PetBook. In addition to the cash prize and the envy of pets nationwide, the winner will receive a year's supply of MilkBone dog snacks and five copies of the book.
To enter, see the dogs on the cover of the 7th edition of The AAA PetBook and for contest rules, log on to www.aaa.com/PetBook. Entries can be submitted electronically or by mail. Entries must be received by Nov. 30. Mail entries should be sent to PetBook Photo Contest, 1000 AAA Drive, MS64, Heathrow, FL 32746.
The 2004 winners were: Mr. Henry, a beagle submitted by Amy Sauer, of Fitchburg, Mass., and Kutya, a Labrador retriever entered by Edua Wilde of Somerville, Mass. Mr. Henry's winning photograph was taken atop a rock in Maine's Acadia National Park and Kutya was photographed hiking on a boardwalk trail in Gros Morne National Park in Newfoundland, Canada.
Traveling With Your Pet: The AAA PetBook contains listings for more than 12,000 pet-friendly hotels and more than 400 animal-loving campgrounds. It addition, the book lists animal hospitals, dog parks and pet accessible federal lands, along with information on preparing your pet for travel, how to pack for your pet, and selecting a carrier or crate.
Traveling With Your Pet: The AAA PetBook is available at AAA club offices, online at www.aaa.com/barnesandnoble and at better bookstores. It sells for $17.95.
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