HUNTSVILLE – Local pets showed their best photogenic sides to compete in the 15th annual “Hot Dogs & Cool Cats” photo contest, a fundraiser for the Greater Huntsville Humane Society.

Overall winner of the contest was Molly, owned by Yvonne Phillips.

“Yvonne found Molly in a Walmart parking lot and five days later was able to locate her original owner,” Shannon Siegel said. Siegel coordinated the contest and is the society’s Public Relations and Development Director. “Yvonne was told that the owner did not want Molly.”

“Yvonne went to Huntsville Animal Services to have all of Molly’s paperwork switched into her name and has had Molly for almost two years,” Siegel said. “Yvonne says that Molly is the sweetest girl, and she doesn’t know what she would do without Molly.”

The contest raises funds to care for animals at the society and raises awareness about the organization, programs and services.

“To-date, we have raised a little over $20,000. After printing costs, any additional funds raised will come from the calendar sales,” Siegel said. The public cast $1 votes, along with overtime voting at The Open Bottle in Madison.

The highest-placing cat, taking 15th place, was Jean Lafitte, owned by Sara Christopher. “Jean is a two-year old rescue. He’s a very social boy and enjoys playing with people and dogs,” Siege said. “Jean walks on a leash and loves it.”

Most animals entering the contest, cats and dogs, were mixed breeds.

Greater Huntsville Humane Society is a no-kill shelter. “We focus on giving animals a second chance. To-date in 2019, we have placed 659 animals in loving homes. That is 220 animals above where we were in 2018,” Siegel said.

Society supporters celebrated its 50th anniversary with a party at Meadow Creek Farm in Toney on Aug. 9.

In 2019, the humane society saved more than 50 pets in foster homes, donated more than $25,000 in financial aid for emergency vet care and provided 35,000-plus pounds of pet food for needy families.

Adoption fees are $125 for animals younger than three years old and $75 for animals older than three years. The fee includes spay/neuter and microchip; all animals are up-to-date on shots.

Hot Dogs & Cool Cats calendars are $10 each. To order, call 256-881-8081. Individuals can pay by phone.

Greater Huntsville Humane Society‘s address is 2812 Johnson Road in Huntsville. For more information, visit ghhs.org or Facebook/Humane.Society.Huntsville. To volunteer for the humane society, visit ghhs.org/volunteer.