WinWag Photo Contest in Windsor, CT

The Town of Windsor opened public voting in its 2026 WinWag Dog Photo Contest on Monday, according to notices posted on the town’s official website. The contest is limited to Windsor, Connecticut, residents, and the voting window runs from 8 a.m. Eastern on May 18 to noon Eastern on May 31. Windsor says winners will be announced on the contest page by 9 a.m. Eastern on June 3. The town’s website lists category prizes ranging from a PETCO gift card to a dog-training course and WinWag bandanas. ### When does voting close, and what is happening right now? May 18 marked the start of public voting in the WinWag contest, Windsor says on its homepage and contest page. The town says contestant images are published online for voting, with ballots accepted until noon on May 31. The current phase is voting, not submissions. Windsor’s contest rules say the entry period opened at 8 a.m. Eastern on May 1 and ended at noon on May 14, before public voting began four days later. ### Who can take part in the contest? Windsor says the WinWag Dog Photo Contest is open only to Windsor residents. The rules also say past contest winners are not eligible for one year after the year of their win. The town separates entries by age of dog. Adult dog contestants are defined as dogs 13 months and older, while puppy contestants are dogs less than 1 year old, according to the posted rules. ### What kind of photos were allowed? The rules say all entry photos must be current. Windsor says adult-dog photos must have been taken within 12 months of the current date, while puppy photos must have been taken within 30 days. One dog per photo is allowed, according to the contest page. Windsor also says entries may contain only the image of the dog, no video submissions are accepted, and owners may submit one photo per dog while entering multiple dogs through separate submissions. ### What are the prizes? The top prize is tied to Windsor’s dog-licensing program. The contest page says the “Top Dog” winner will receive the #1 dog license tag for the Town of Windsor for the July 2026 through June 2027 tag year, plus a PETCO gift card. The puppy winner will receive a gift certificate for a multi-week group dog training course with Laurie Fass through the Windsor Recreation Department, the town says. Windsor also says all category winners will receive a WinWag bandana for their category. ### Are there other requirements owners should know about? Dogs 6 months or older must be licensed, according to Windsor’s rules. The town also says the dog owner is responsible for licensing fees. Rabies documentation is also required for the top license-tag award. Windsor says a dog must have a current rabies vaccination and the owner must provide proof of vaccination to obtain the license and tag. ### How does Windsor say winners will be chosen? Windsor says winning entrants will be based on the highest number of votes received in each category during public voting. The town says it reserves the right to disqualify any contestant who appears to be manipulating the voting and that any such decision by the sponsor is final. June 3 is the next posted milestone. Windsor says the winners will be announced on the contest page by 9 a.m. Eastern that day, and contestants will be notified through the contact information provided at entry.