Important: Please read these Official Rules before entering the Contest. By participating in the Contest, you agree to be bound by these Official Rules and represent that you satisfy all of the eligibility requirements below.

OFFICIAL RULES

Eligibility. A PURCHASE WILL NOT INCREASE YOUR CHANCES OF WINNING. VOID WHERE PROHIBITED. The Contest is open only to legal residents of the 50 United States (and the District of Columbia), who own a dog by 12:00:01 am ET on Tuesday, December 1, 2015 and who are at least 18 years old (or the age of majority under applicable law). IF YOU DO NOT MEET ALL OF THESE REQUIREMENTS, OR ANY OTHER ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS IN THESE OFFICIAL RULES, YOU ARE NOT ELIGIBLE TO WIN A PRIZE, AND BLOGPAWS (“SPONSOR“) RESERVES THE RIGHT NOT TO AWARD PRIZES TO YOU. To be eligible to win a Contest Prize, entries must be completed and received by Sponsor in the manner and format designated in these Official Rules. Employees, directors and officers of Sponsor, Pet360, Inc., PetSmart, Inc., PetSmart Charities, Inc., Banfield Pet Hospital (Medical Management International, Inc.) and any of their respective affiliates, parent companies, subsidiary companies, and advertising and promotion agencies, including any blogger hired to promote content on their blog in conjunction with the Blue Buffalo Pet Campaign (collectively, the “Contest Entities”), and members of their immediate families (spouses, parents, children, and siblings and their respective spouses, regardless of where they reside), and/or those living in the same household of each, are not eligible to participate or win any prizes. All applicable federal, state/provincial and local laws and regulations apply. By participating in the Contest, you agree that: (1) you have read and understand the Official Rules; (2) you meet the Contest eligibility requirements as explained in the Official Rules; (3) you are bound by the Official Rules and to Sponsor’s Privacy Policy as published at www.blogpaws.com; (4) you unconditionally accept and agree to comply with and abide by the Official Rules and the decisions of Sponsor; and (6) the Official Rules shall be legally binding on you and your legal representatives, heirs, successors, and assigns.

Entries. Each entrant may enter one time with one photo.  Entries of duplicate photos will be disqualified. Entrants with more than one entry will be disqualified.

Contest Period: All entries must be received between 12:00:00 a.m. ET on December 1, 2015 and 11:59:59 p.m. ET on December 16, 2015 (“Entry Period”). Contest will include one round of judging beginning 12:00:00 a.m. ET on December 17, 2015 and ending on December 20, 2015 at 11:59:59 p.m. ET. (Judging Period”).

Contest Prizes. All prize values are in U.S. dollars. One winner will receive a $50 PetSmart gift card.


Odds of Winning a Contest Prize. Odds are not applicable due to this being a Contest and not a Sweepstakes. Contest Prizes will be decided by judging and voting in accordance with the judging criteria detailed below.

How to Enter the Contest. To enter the Contest, take the following steps during the Entry Period:

First, capture an original photo (“Photo”) that depicts your your dog in the holiday spirit.

Second, submit the Photo by uploading it to your Instagram account with your dog’s name and the hashtag #BLUEHolidayContest and tag @BlueBuffalo. Photos without this information will not be considered. Your account must be an open account so that the judges are able to view your entry. If you don’t have an Instagram account, create one for free on the Instagram website or app.

There will be one winner based. Judging is on the photo of a dog that represents the most Holiday Spirit/Creativity. Photo does not have to include BLUE Product. 

Limit one Photo per Contest Entry. Your “Contest Entry” includes your dog’s name and the hashtag #BLUEHolidayContest and tag @BlueBuffalo.

All requested information must be provided for your Contest Entry to be valid. Entries become the property of Sponsor and will not be returned. Entries and entrants may be subject to verification by Sponsor in its sole discretion. All entries must be in English. Any attempt by an entrant to obtain more than the stated number of Contest entries by using multiple/different e-mail addresses, identities, registrations, profiles or any other methods will void such entrant’s entries and that entrant may be disqualified, and any potential Prize will be forfeited. Entries generated through a third-party website or software or in any way other than the manner and format set forth in these Official Rules is prohibited, and Sponsor reserves the right to disqualify any such entrant(s).

By submitting a Contest Entry, entrant warrants and represents that he/she owns the pet(s) that is/are featured in the entry, has obtained permission from all persons in the photo (or parent or guardian of minor children pictured), and that no images in the photo infringe on another party’s intellectual property rights. Entrant agrees that the Contest Entities are not responsible for any unauthorized use of Contest Entries or Photos by third parties. At any time during the Contest, even if the Contest Entry has already been announced as a Prize winner, if Sponsor determines that an entrant’s Contest Entry does not comply with any of the Official Rules, such entry may be disqualified and will not be eligible to win a Prize.


Other Contest Submission Requirements: Any photo will be disqualified that contains material that, in the sole discretion of Sponsor and/or its Administrator:

  • Communicates messages or images inconsistent with the positive images and/or good will to which Sponsor wishes to associate. Examples include, pets in unsafe situations, or entries that promote bigotry or discrimination.
  • Disparages any person, BlogPaws, Pet360, PetSmart, or any such entity’s products.
  • Violates or infringes upon the copyrights, trademarks, or privacy, property, publicity or other intellectual property rights of any person or entity not affiliated with this Contest;
  • Contains any personal identification, such as personal names or e-mail addresses;
  • Promotes alcohol, illegal drugs, tobacco, firearms/weapons (or the use of any of the foregoing);
  • Basic Guidelines for car photos:
    • Pet’s head cannot be out the window of a moving vehicle
    • Pet cannot be unrestrained in a moving vehicle
    • Pet can be unrestrained if vehicle is not moving

Any Contest Entry or Photo that, in the sole opinion of Sponsor, is considered inappropriate or not suitable for publication under the Official Rules may be disqualified.

Contest Judging and Finalist Selection. During the Judging Period, a panel of qualified judges, comprising representatives of the Contest Entities, at Sponsor’s sole discretion (together, the “Judges“), will evaluate all eligible Contest Entries submitted during the Entry Period to select the Best Outdoor Photo and the Happiest Dog Photo.

Judging Criteria: Eligible Photos will be judged 25% on originality, 25% on visual appeal/image quality, and 50% on adherence to the most holiday spirit theme.

Ties. In the unlikely event of a tie, the relevant Contest Entries will be determined by the Judges based on highest score in the following Judging Criteria: Extent to which Contest Entry adheres to the best holiday photo theme followed by image quality. Judges’ decisions regarding application of the Judging Criteria and selection of the winning Contest Entries and any ties are final and binding in all respects. Judges’ scores will not be publicly distributed or otherwise made publicly available.

Notifying Winners: Sponsor will attempt to notify potential Prize winners on or about Tuesday, December 22, 2015 by displaying the winning Photo(s) on the BlogPaws Instagram account and tagging the winning entrants (“Notification”). Potential winners will have 24 hours to respond to the Notification before forfeiting their prize. In the event of noncompliance with these Official Rules; If Prize winner does not respond within 24 hours to the Notification, a Prize winner declines the Prize offered, or the Prize winner is otherwise considered to be ineligible, the Prize will be forfeited and an alternate winner may be selected, even if said Potential Prize winner has been announced. Alternate Prize winner shall be the eligible Photo with the next highest overall score. This process shall be repeated until Sponsor verifies a winner for all Prizes. Potential Prize winners may be required to execute and return an Affidavit of Eligibility for verification purposes or a Liability/Publicity Release (TN residents need not sign publicity release) within five (5) business days. Prizes will be delivered within 6 – 12 weeks from date of verification via mail or freight to the street/mailing address provided by winner.

Sponsor’s License to Contest Entries. Each entrant grants to Sponsor, and its successors, assigns, licensees, representatives, agents, and those acting at Sponsor’s direction, a perpetual, irrevocable, royalty-free, non-exclusive, worldwide right and license to publish, reproduce, display, perform, distribute, adapt, edit, modify, translate, create derivative works based upon, and otherwise use and sublicense your Photo, or any portion thereof, in any manner, form, media or technology now known or later developed for any commercial or non-commercial purpose without your notice, review, or approval. Each entrant waives its moral rights, in the Photo, in favor of the Sponsor, and its successors, assigns, licensees, representatives, agents, and those acting at Sponsor’s direction. Each entrant agrees to take, at Sponsor’s expense, any further action (including, without limitation, execution of affidavits and other documents) reasonably requested by Sponsor to effect, perfect or confirm Sponsor’s rights as set forth above in this paragraph. Sponsor does not guarantee that all submitted Photos will be published.

  • (As a condition of submitting a Contest Entry, each entrant acknowledges and agrees that (a) Sponsor and other participants have access to and/or may create or have created entries and/or other materials, ideas and concepts which may be similar or identical to the entrant’s entry in theme, idea, format, characters and/or other respects; (b) the entrant will not be entitled to any compensation or other consideration because of the use by Sponsor or any other participant of any such similar or identical material, ideas and/or concepts; and (c) Sponsor’s or another participant’s use of material containing elements similar to or identical with those contained in the entrant’s entry shall not obligate Sponsor to negotiate with and shall not entitle entrant to any compensation or other claim.

Disclaimer. Sponsor, the Contest Entities, and any of their respective parent companies, subsidiaries, affiliates, directors, officers, professional advisors, employees, media partners, printers, and agencies (collectively, the “Released Parties“) will not be responsible for: (a) any late, lost, misrouted, garbled or distorted or damaged transmissions or entries; (b) telephone, electronic, hardware, software, network, Internet, or other computer- or communications-related or technical malfunctions or failures; (c) any Contest disruptions, injuries, losses or damages caused by events beyond the control of Sponsor or by non-authorized human intervention; (d) damage caused by computer virus or otherwise resulting to any computer from entrant’s participation in the Contest or access of the any websites related to the Contest, whether human, mechanical or electronic; (e) any printing or typographical errors in any materials associated with the Contest; or (f) incorrect or inaccurate information, whether caused by Internet users or by any of the programming or equipment associated with or used in the Contest.

Contest Period. The Contest starts on or about 12:00:00 a.m. ET on December 1, 2015 and 11:59:59 p.m. ET on December 16, 2015 (the “Contest Period“). Sponsor’s time clock will be the official clock for the Contest. For the purposes of this Contest, a “day” shall be defined as 12:00:00 a.m. ET to 11:59:59 p.m. ET during the Contest Period.

ALL FEDERAL, STATE/PROVINCIAL AND LOCAL TAXES ASSOCIATED WITH THE RECEIPT OR USE OF ANY PRIZES ARE THE SOLE RESPONSIBILITY OF THE WINNER. All Prizes will be awarded. Prize notifications returned as undeliverable or otherwise not claimed within five (5) business days after delivery will be forfeited and will be awarded to an alternate winner. Prizes are not transferable. No substitutions or exchanges (including for cash) of any Prizes will be permitted, except that Sponsor reserves the right to substitute a Prize of equal or greater value for any Prize. Limit one (1) Prize per person, household or address. All Prizes are awarded “AS IS” and WITHOUT EXPRESS OR IMPLIED WARRANTY OR CONDITION OF ANY KIND (including, without limitation, any implied warranty of merchantability or fitness for a particular purpose). Sponsor is not responsible for loss, delay or damage in shipping any Prize or notification.

Identity of Entrant. In the event of a dispute about the identity of an entrant, entries will be declared made by the Authorized Account Holder of the Instagram account used at time of entry. An “Authorized Account Holder” is defined as the natural person who is assigned to the Instagram account by the platform provider or other organization (e.g., business, educational institution, etc.) that is responsible for assigning the Instagram account for the domain associated with the submitted profile. A potential Prize winner may be required to provide Sponsor with proof that the potential Prize winner is the Authorized Account Holder of the e-mail address or social media account associated with the winning entry.


General Release. By entering this Contest, you release Sponsor and all Released Parties from any liability whatsoever, and waive any and all causes of action, related to any claims, costs, injuries, losses, or damages of any kind arising out of or in connection with the Contest or delivery, misdelivery, acceptance, possession, use of, misuse of or inability to use any Prize (including, without limitation, claims, costs, injuries, losses and damages related to intellectual property, personal injuries, death, damage to or destruction of property (including your pet), rights of publicity or privacy, defamation or portrayal in a false light, whether intentional or unintentional), whether under a theory of contract, tort (including negligence), warranty or other theory.

Use of Entrant Name, Likeness, etc. Except where prohibited by law, by submitting an entry, you hereby consent to Sponsor’s use of the entry in its internal communications and publications, in social media and other marketing platforms. You also confirm that any people and/or the owners of any animals who are featured in the photograph(s) gave permission for you to take the image(s) and do not object to your and Sponsor’s use of the same for commercial purposes.

Winner List; Rules Request. For a copy of the Contest Prize winner list send a stamped, self-addressed, business-size envelope by 60 DAYS FOLLOWING CONTEST PERIOD to BlogPaws, Attn: #BLUEHolidayContest, 2260 Butler Pike Suite 100, Plymouth Meeting, PA 19462. To obtain a copy of these Official Rules, visit https://blogpaws.com/blue-buffalo-blueholidaycontest-contest-rules/or send a stamped, self-addressed business-size envelope to #BLUEHolidayContest at BlogPaws, Attn: Winner List, 2260 Butler Pike Suite 100, Plymouth Meeting, PA 19462. Residents of VT may omit return postage.

Intellectual Property Notice. The Contest and all accompanying materials are copyright © 2015 by BlogPaws. All rights reserved. PET360 is a trademark of Pet360, Inc. PETSMART is a trademark of PetSmart, Inc.

Miscellaneous. The Contest and these Official Rules will be governed, construed and interpreted under the laws of the state of Arizona, U.S.A., without regard to conflict or choice of law provisions or international treaties or conventions. Entrants agree and consent to exclusive jurisdiction and venue of the federal and state courts located in Maricopa County in the State of Arizona, U.S.A. Entrants agree to be bound by the Official Rules and by the decisions of Sponsor, which are final and binding in all respects. Sponsor reserves the right to change the Official Rules at any time and for any reason, in its sole discretion and without notice, and reserves the right, for any reason, to suspend or cancel the Contest or any entrant’s participation in the Contest including should viruses, bugs, unauthorized human intervention or other causes beyond Sponsor’s control affect the administration, security, fairness or proper play of the Contest, or Sponsor otherwise becomes (as determined in its sole discretion) incapable of running the Contest as planned. Entrants who violate the Official Rules, violate any law, rule or regulation in connection with participation in any Contest, tamper with the operation of the Contest or engage in any conduct that is detrimental or unfair to Sponsor, the Contest or any other entrant (in each case as determined in Sponsor’s sole discretion) are subject to disqualification from entry into the Contest. Sponsor reserves the right to lock out persons whose eligibility is in question or who have been disqualified or are otherwise ineligible to enter the Contest. Any provision of the Official Rules deemed unenforceable will be enforced to the extent permissible, and the remainder of these Official Rules will remain in effect. If you have any questions about these Official Rules or the Contest, please mail them to #BLUEHolidayContest, Attention BlogPaws, 2260 Butler Pike Suite 100, Plymouth Meeting, PA, 19462.

Contest Sponsor: BlogPaws, 2260 Butler Pike Suite 100, Plymouth Meeting, PA, 19462.