|
Submit your pet pics today for the
2026 Animal Stories Pet Contest
[December 29, 2025]
As we enter into the new year,
Lincoln Daily News is excited to announce that the annual 'Animal
Stories Pet Contest' will return as a fun and rewarding way for
readers to be a part of our special online magazine for 2026.
This year the categories have changed a little bit, as have a couple
of stipulations for entries, so please read on, then over the New
Year holiday dig out those favorite photos of your precious pets and
join in the fun.
Remember, there are five categories for entry, with one winner
chosen from each. The winning entry will receive a $50 gift card
from Farm & Home Supply in Lincoln. Thank you to Farm & Home for
once again this year being a great sponsor and partner in this
contest!
There are a few simple rules:
Entries (people & pet) must live in Logan County.
Winners must be available for a photo op at the Lincoln Farm & Home
Supply after judging.
Winners will be notified via phone or email, and a time appointed
for receiving their gift card at Farm & Home Supply.
You may enter your pet once in
every applicable category, BUT you must submit a different photo for
each entry. While your pet may be entered in multiple categories, it
may only win in ONE. Judges will be asked to choose their top three
in each category and if we have duplicate winners, LDN staff will
decide which pet wins in which category and then the second choice
will be awarded the prize in the second category.
Photos shall not contain any suggestive or indecent language or
poses.
While it is okay for people to be in the photos, it is not
preferred, and the animal should still be the focal point of the
photo.
NO ENTRIES WILL BE ACCEPTED VIA SOCIAL MEDIA. We have tried
for the last several years to accommodate those who send their
entries in this manner, but the truth is that it doesn’t work for
photo quality, and we feel that sometimes really cute pictures
suffer because we cannot improve the quality enough to make them
good.
All entries should be submitted via the google form that is provided
via this button.
Find this button not only here, but
in the right-hand column on the Local Stories page of our daily
editions.
Entries may also be mailed or hand delivered to Lincoln Daily News,
with all the appropriate information and a photo. PLEASE NOTE photos
that are mailed to our office will not be returned.
You may hand deliver entries to Lincoln Daily News at 520 Broadway
Street in Lincoln, which is also the mailing address. Office hours
are Monday through Friday 8 a.m. to noon.
Entries are due by February 6th, 2026. Late entries will be
disallowed.
This will be a blind judging, with entries being viewed and voted
upon by an assigned number. The judges shall be three to five
individuals who have not seen the photos or entry forms prior to
judging.
Now for this year’s categories!
Kitty Korner – for cats only - Over the years we have noted
that we get mostly dog photos, but we know there are some adorable
kitties out in the community as well. With this category, submit
photos of your favorite feline whether it be a kitten or a
full-grown cat.
[to top of second column] |
Best Expression – for
all household pets - Animals can be very expressive, speaking to
us through those expressions and making us love them all the
more. We know you have those pix where your adorable pet had
that special look that is unique to it and makes you smile. We
want you to share that photo with our readers, and perhaps the
judges will think it is the best of the best!
Cutest/Most Cuddly – for all
household pets - Historically this is always our biggest and most
difficult judging challenge. There are so many cute animals out
there that it is hard to choose. You can submit any animal that is
your pet, be it a dog, cat, bird, or just whatever. Remember all
photos submitted with be published in the online magazine, and one
lucky animal will get a shopping spree at Farm & Home!
Animals in Action – for indoor and outdoor pets - We’ve seen
some great pictures in the past. Animals jumping into water, digging
in snow, fetching a stick, climbing a tree, or investigating
something new in the home. These are great photos that deserve to be
seen.
Barnyard Buddies – For animals that are part of the farmstead
- We are the heart of rural America where that farmland and farm
animals are abundant. We know that there are horses, goats, ducks,
geese, chickens, even pigs that are favorites on the farm complete
with names and a special place in the heart of its owner, thus
making them a pet. We want you to share those photos with our
readers and let them know why Porker the Pig is a favorite barnyard
buddy or how the goose in the garden makes you laugh with its
antics.
Please note, no wild animals are
acceptable in any of these categories. Animals should be an indoor
or outdoor domestic pet, or a barnyard pet. At the same time, pet
can include atypical animals such as lizards, iguanas, bearded
dragons, hedgehogs, guinea pigs, rabbits, pet mice or rats, pet
snakes and, well, hopefully you get the message. If it is
domesticated it qualifies as a pet.
Last but far from least, we want to encourage participation in the
Rainbow Bridge.
There is no judging or prize given for entries in the Rainbow
Bridge. This is a place where you may memorialize pets that have
passed and wait for you at the foot of the rainbow bridge.
You are encouraged to submit your
photo and a few words about your pet.
The annual Animal Stories magazine is a favorite of LDN staff
because we get the chance to see and share with readers all those
wonderful animals that you love like your children or at least your
best friends. We look forward to hearing from all of you in the very
near future.
Remember, the entry deadline is February 6th, and there will be five
opportunities for pets to win $50 gift cards courtesy of Lincoln
Farm & Home Supply.
[Nila Smith]
|
