HOW TO ENTER. You must enter the Very Important Pets contest through our web site by registering and filling in the online forms as indicated on the contest site (http://azstarnet.upickem.net/engine/Welcome.aspx?contestid=7928). There is no alternate method of entry. The contest begins Aug. 30, 2009, and ends at noon MST Friday, Oct. 30, 2009. Ad-blocking or security software on your computer may need to be disabled so that it doesn't interfere with processing your entry. You may upload up to two photos as part of the entry. Complete the entry form and any other required fields and then submit your entry. By entering, you agree to the terms of these Official Contest Rules. You must be 18 years of age or older at time of entry to be eligible for this contest. No purchase is necessary to enter the contest.

SELECTION OF WINNERS. This contest is, in part, a fund-raising effort on behalf of the Humane Society of Southern Arizona. Winners will be selected on the basis of highest number of votes cast on behalf of a pet. The votes may be purchased by a contestant on behalf of his or her own pet, or by others in support of a pet. The Humane Society of Southern Arizona will receive at least 50 percent of the net proceeds of the money raised through purchase of votes.

CONTEST STRUCTURE. There are three initial rounds in the contest: for dogs, cats and miscellaneous pets. The top 25 percent of entries in each initial round advance to a final round. A pet must have at least one vote to advance to the final round. VOTES CAST IN THE INITIAL ROUNDS DO NOT CARRY OVER INTO THE FINAL ROUND.

PURCHASE OF VOTES. Votes are sold only by online transaction in these blocks:
• 5 votes for $5
• 12 votes for $10
• 25 votes for $20
• 50 votes for $35
• 100 votes for $50
• 250 votes for $100

Your purchase of votes is not tax deductible.

PRIZE(S). The top finisher in each of the three preliminary rounds (dog round, cat round and "other" round) wins two Products ($50 value each) for mobile pet grooming from Aussie Pet Mobile.

Prizes for the final "playoff" round of the contest are:

- 1st place ($1,300 value) - Pet food for a year from Azmira Holistic Animal Care, 500 square feet of tile flooring from American Tile, and one spay/neuter service and membership in the Hand-in-Paws Kids Club from the Humane Society of Southern Arizona.
- 2nd place ($600 value) - A week of pet boarding at Buhrke's Pet Resort and 500 square feet of tile flooring from American Tile.
-3rd place ($500 value - 500 square feet of tile flooring from American Tile.

ODDS OF WINNING. Odds of winning depend upon the number of eligible entries received and the number of votes cast.

MULTIPLE PETS. If your household has more than one pet, you may enter your pets in the contest individually or grouped into one entry, as a "family." If you enter them into the contest individually, their votes cannot be aggregated for the purposes of determining a winner.

NO PURCHASE NECESSARY TO ENTER. There is no cost to enter a pet in the contest. Entrants are not required to purchase votes on behalf of their pets.

ELIGIBILITY. Subject to any additional restrictions below, the Very Important Pets contest is open to full-time or part-time residents of Pima County, Cochise County, Santa Cruz Cruz County or Pinal County who are 18 years or older at the time of entry. Employees of the Arizona Daily Star, Lee Enterprises, Tucson Newspapers, the Tucson Citizen, Gannett Co., the Humane Society of Southern Arizona, and any contest sponsors, and the immediate family members of, and any persons domiciled with, any such employees, are not eligible to win, although they may enter the contest and purchase votes. Sponsor and Arizona Daily Star will not be responsible for incomplete or late entries, or for failure to receive entries due to transmission failures or technical failures of any kind, including, without limitation, malfunctioning of any network, hardware or software, whether originating with sender, sponsor or Arizona Daily Star. In the event of a dispute, all online entries will be deemed to have been submitted by the owner of the ISP account from which they were sent. For these purposes, an ISP account holder shall mean the natural person assigned to such ISP account by the Internet access provider, online service provider or other organization responsible for assigning ISP addresses for the domain associated with such ISP account. The Arizona Daily Star reserves the right to disqualify any entries by persons determined to be tampering with or abusing any aspect of any contest or sweepstakes.

TAX LIABILITY. Each winner is responsible for all federal, state and local taxes and may be required to complete an IRS form W-9. Sponsor reserves the right to withhold prizes until completed form W-9 is received. Purchases of votes are not tax deductible.

WINNER'S OBLIGATIONS. Winners will be notified by email. If a winner is unreachable after seven (7) days, or if that winner is unavailable for prize fulfillment, an alternate winner will be selected. If the Arizona Daily Star cannot find an eligible winner for the prize, that prize will not be awarded. All winners will be required to execute a statement of eligibility, release of liability, and publicity release. Failure to do so will render a contest participant ineligible to receive a prize. The winner must pick up the prize at the Arizona Daily Star office (4850 S. Park Ave., Tucson) during regular office hours within 30 days of the end of the contest.

DISCLAIMER. Arizona Daily Star, Lee Enterprises, Tucson Newspapers, the Tucson Citizen, Gannett Co., the Humane Society of Southern Arizona and contest sponsors or advertisers are not responsible for determining the legality of ownership of any animal entered into the contest, nor are we responsible for any ownership disputes, law enforcement actions or licensing requirements that might arise from the animal's inclusion in the contest.

VOID WHERE PROHIBITED. Full-time or part-time residents of Puerto Rico, New York, Florida and Rhode Island are not eligible to enter their pets in the contest; they may purchase votes on behalf of another person's pet. Decisions of the Arizona Daily Star are final on any matter related to this contest.