Are you one of the many Southern Californians who took their pets on vacation this summer? Did your favorite fur ball prefer hiking, boating or some other pursuit? If so, send AAA their fun in your best shot by November 30 for a chance to show off your pet in a big way.
For the seventh consecutive year, the AAA PetBook Photo Contest is sponsored by Best Western, which has more than 1,600 pet-friendly hotels worldwide. Photos are judged on the ability to convey the joys of traveling safely with pets, along with artistic qualities. “Happy pets that are out and about at scenic locations make excellent photo subjects,” said the Automobile Club of Southern California AAA PetBook Product Administrator Derek Davis. “The challenge is to combine joy, safety and travel in one clear, well-lit image.”
When snapping photos or choosing one to enter, contest participants can improve their results by running through a quick checklist:
- Be sure to photograph pets from the front to show their facial features and emotions.
- Ensure they’re wearing appropriate harnesses or safety vests for the situation.
- Picture them in a vacation setting and look for an angle that separates your pet’s coloring from the background.
- Make sure the lighting and resolution are strong enough to show details.
Tips, contest rules and entry forms are provided at AAA.com/PetBook, along with plenty of examples in the contest photo gallery.
First- and second-place contest winners grace the back cover and spine of Traveling With Your Pet: The AAA PetBook®, and more than 40 finalists are pictured inside. Winner and finalist photos are also showcased on the AAA.com/PetBook photo gallery — a virtual brag book for proud pet parents. Additional prizes include cash, pet treats, copies of the book and, for the first-place winner, a $150 Best Western Travel Card.
For everyone who travels with pets throughout the U.S. and Canada, The AAA PetBook is a must-have resource. The annually updated guide provides detailed listings — including pet policies, amenities and fees —for more than 13,000 AAA Approved and Diamond Rated hotels, plus more than 800 pet-friendly campgrounds. Listings also include nearly 700 AAA Approved and Diamond Rated restaurants that welcome pets in outside dining areas. For recreation planning, the book lists national public lands and attractions that allow pets and 300 dog parks in popular travel destinations. Tips for first-time and seasoned pet travelers address packing suggestions, pet etiquette, border crossing and emergency vet clinics.
Traveling with Your Pet: The AAA PetBook is available at many AAA and CAA offices at discounted member prices and select bookstores with a cover price of $18.95. The current edition is also available in digital formats for popular tablets and e-readers through online booksellers at a suggested digital price of $9.99.