The second annual Beautiful Paws contest has begun.

The contest, which is put on by the Denver Animal Shelter, is a pet calendar contest fundraiser that benefits the Denver Animal Shelter.

How it works is people submit a photo of their pet for $25. Community members then vote for their favorite pet photo. Voters can cast as many votes as they'd like, for $1 each vote. The 13 photos that get the most votes will win the opportunity to have their pet professionally photographed and featured in the 2022 Beautiful Paws calendar — the pet with the most votes will be the calendar's cover photo.

Additionally, anybody who would like to have their pet featured in the calendar, but prefers not to participate in the contest, can pay $25 and have their pet photo submission run on a specific day in the calendar.

The contest began on July 31 and runs through Aug. 28. The calendar itself will be for sale once produced, and proceeds from its sales also will benefit Denver Animal Shelter.

Denver Animal Shelter is an arm of Denver Animal Protection, which is a division of the Denver Department of Public Health & Environment.

To learn more about the 2022 Beautiful Paws contest, or to submit an entry, visit www.gogophotocontest.com/gaellepetphotography. To learn more about Denver Animal Protection or the shelter, visit www.denvergov.org/Government/Agencies-Departments-Offices/Animal-Shelter.