Climate change in the face of war: Ukraine’s complex crisis
Ukraine’s crisis isn't about the conflict alone; it has also created devastating ecological impacts that continue to threaten people and animals within and beyond its borders.
PINTS, PETS, AND PAW-TENTIAL!
Ever dreamed about your furball becoming the next big thing? Well, get ready for a tail (or fin)-wagging opportunity that goes beyond your wildest dreams — all for an amazing cause.
From March 1-15, 2024, Veterinarians Without Borders North America's Animals & Ales Photo Contest is returning with even more hop-sizzle. You'll have the chance to submit your pet's photo for the chance to be featured on the label of a specially brewed beer, in partnership with eight totally pawe-some breweries. Your family and friends can vote for your four-legged (or finned) superstars, all while supporting programs for animals and communities in need, including across northern Canada, Ukraine, Sub-Saharan Africa, Southeast Asia, and beyond. Winning photos will be featured on the labels of limited release bottles or cans.
*Note: Contestants must be 19+ to enter and vote.
**Votes qualify for a charitable tax receipt and will be emailed to voters by the end of April.
We are thrilled to be partnering with eight ale-tastic breweries in Canada — each with their own unique brews and stories.
THANK YOU TO ALL THOSE WHO ENTERED & VOTED!
TOGETHER, YOU RAISED AN INCREDIBLE $104,574 FOR ANIMALS IN NEED!
📍 Toronto, ON
Founded in 2016 by Dustin and Brayden Jones, Blood Brothers Brewing is a craft microbrewery, taproom and restaurant (Beast) in Toronto offering unique beer styles and tasty eats.
📍 Guelph, ON
🍺 Best Friends IPA
Fixed Gear Brewing Company is returning to the Animals & Ales contest for its second year! They are a fresh, small batch brewery located in the heart of the Guelph, Ontario’s Junction neighbourhood.
📍 Medicine Hat, AB
Since the summer of 2016, six courageous beer lovers from Medicine Hat, their families, friends, and countless members of the community have been working tirelessly to bring fresh, local, craft beer to the Hat.
📍 Mount Pearl, NL
Known for producing a diverse range of high-quality beers that often reflect the local Newfoundland flavours and ingredients, Landwash Brewery has a taproom where visitors can sample beers, eat awesome food from Johnny and Mae's food truck, and experience the warm and welcoming atmosphere.
📍 Yellowknife, NT
NWT Brewing Company is nestled between the wonder of the aurora borealis and the rugged nature of the northern frontier. Located in the spirited town of Yellowknife, Northwest Territories, they are Canada's northernmost brewpub.
📍 London, ON
🍺 Pet Sounds
Storm Stayed Brewing Co. is a small, community-oriented craft brewery in London, Ontario. They believe that it takes more than just quality ingredients, sound science, and innovative techniques to make a brewery special – it also takes a welcoming, inclusive environment, a joyful sense of camaraderie, and the support of their neighbours and fellow craft beer lovers.
📍 Uxbridge, ON
🍺 All Tails Lead Here
Just over the second wedge of the Oak Ridges Moraine, you’ll find them: a locally owned brewery inspired by the beauty of the Uxbridge trails, dedicated to igniting passion for craft beer in their community and beyond. Their dog-friendly tasting room and award-winning beer garden make The Second Wedge an après-trail destination.
📍 Fredericton, NB
🍺 Fetch Lager
Trailway was founded in 2014 with a passion for hops. Although their interests have broadened in recent years to include styles from wild ales to lagers, they remain committed to producing high-quality, bold, and robust American-style Ales.
CONTEST FAQs
HOW TO ENTER
Ready to enter the Animals & Ales contest? Follow these steps:
- Snap a pic of your beloved pet. Note: High quality images work best.
- Click on the brewery you'd like to enter using the links above!
- Enter your pet's photo on the GoGo Photo Contest platform by clicking your participating brewery of choice above (it's free to register).
- Spread the word about your four-legged (or finned!) superstar through your network! Each vote is $1. Cross your fingers, paws, or fins for the most votes.
- The winning pet will not only steal hearts but also be immortalized on a label by one of the eight participating breweries! 🍻 Curious about the nitty-gritty? Check out the full contest rules and prizes below. (Psst... you must be 19+ to join the fun).
Let’s make this contest the ultimate paw-ty and give a helping hand (or paw) to those who need it most!
CONTEST RULES
The top fundraisers for Veterinarians Without Borders North America/Vétérinaires Sans Frontières Amérique du Nord (VWB/VSF)'s Animals & Ales Photo Contest, in association with each brewery, including Blood Brothers Brewing (Toronto, ON), Fixed Gear Brewing Company (Guelph, ON), Hell's Basement Brewery (Medicine Hat, AB), Landwash Brewery (Mount Pearl, NL), NWT Brewing (Yellowknife, NT), The Second Wedge Brewing Company (Uxbridge, ON), Storm Stayed Brewing Company (London, ON), and Trailway Brewing Company (Fredericton, NB), will each win a place for their pet’s photograph to be featured on a specially released beer. Winners will receive a framed print of their custom label, plus a multi-pack of their specially-labelled beer (Canadian & provincial/territorial rules apply). The runner-up (second place contestants) for each brewery will receive additional prizes to be announced.
You must be 19+ years of age to participate in the Veterinarians Without Borders North America’s Animals and Ales Photo Contest. This includes both entering and voting in the contest.
- The contest opens at 9:00 a.m. ET on March 1, 2024. The contest closes on March 15, 2024, at 7:00 p.m. ET. All fundraising must take place within these dates.
- The 16 winners (including first and second place winners) will be posted to the homepage of this website on March 16, 2024. The winners will also be contacted directly by VWB/VSF to make arrangements for submitting required photos.
- Winners will be determined according to how much they raise in their individual contest fundraisers. All donations to VWB/VSF Canada must be made online and directly to your contest entry to be counted towards your contest fundraising total.
- To join the contest, you must create a Veterinarians Without Borders North America’s Animals and Ales Photo Contest entry via GoGo Photo Contest by clicking on the brewery you wish to participate with above.
- In the case of a tie, the entrant that reached their final vote total first will receive the prize.
- The winning cans will only be available for pick-up at the brewery, post-event. VWB/VSF will communicate with winners when the cans are available.
- VWB/VSF reserves the right to disqualify any entry based on objectionable content or depiction of the animal or persons in a photo. In this scenario, donations collected will be refunded, if requested, by the donors.
- All winners must provide a selection of 2-3 photos of their pet by March 20, 2024. Photos must meet the image quality requirements described below. If appropriate photos are not provided by the deadline, VWB/VSF will offer the winning place to the next eligible contestant.
- By agreeing to the waiver when you enter the contest, you acknowledge and give permission to VWB/VSF to use the name, story, and photo of the animal entered in future various VWB/VSF publications, promotions, and materials.
- To claim their prize, winners must acknowledge and give permission to VWB/VSF, Blood Brothers Brewing (Toronto, ON), Fixed Gear Brewing Company (Guelph, ON), Hell's Basement Brewery (Medicine Hat, AB), Landwash Brewery (Mount Pearl, NL), The Second Wedge Brewing Company (Uxbridge, ON), Storm Stayed Brewing Company (London, ON), NWT Brewing Company (Yellowknife, NT), and Trailway Brewing Company (Fredericton, NB), to use the name, story, and photos of the animal entered in publications, promotions, and materials.
- So long as an animal does not look distressed, you may enter the contest with whatever picture you choose, however, winning submissions must follow the below rules to print:
- Winners must own the rights to the photos they provide (e.g., photos taken by professional photographers are not eligible without the photographer's explicit permission).
- Photos submitted must include only the winning animal (and no other animals or humans). The animal should be present in no less than 2/3 of the frame.
- Please ensure that the photo is sharp and in focus with a clean background. If a photo is deemed ineligible, the winning contestant will have five days to submit new photos. If a usable photo cannot be produced the label will go to the next highest fundraiser.
WHERE DO FUNDS GO?
All funds raised will help animals and communities that lack access to veterinary care, including right here in Canada, as well as in areas like Sub-Saharan Africa, and Southeast Asia. Veterinarians Without Borders North America also responds to crises and emergencies, worldwide, and is currently providing emergency support in Ukraine and South Sudan to address the growing needs of animals and communities.
CAN ANYONE ENTER?
So long as you're over the age of 19, you can enter and vote in VWB/VSF's Animals & Ales contest! One thing to keep in mind: winners will have to visit the breweries in person to access the winning brews.
