This year's Pets & Pals Photo Contest categories include:

Best Pals -- Pets can be loyal friends, playmates or service companions. Honor a special friendship with a picture of your pet (s), either alone or with their best friends -- human or animal.

Families and Pets -- Pets are considered a part of the family. Get the whole family together for a priceless photo opportunity -- you could include mom, dad, siblings, and grandparents with the family pet (s).

Down on the Farm -- On a farm, animals are everywhere! And so are opportunities to capture them in their most interesting moments.

Shelter Life -- Shelter staff, volunteers, veterinarians and animal-control professionals are as devoted to the animals in their care as they are to their own pets. Show us the good things happening in your local animal shelter or humane society.

You could win a prize!

Two Grand Prize winners will each win $2,000 cash and a prize package from American Humane and four Category Prize winners will each win $500 cash and a prize package. See the official rules for details. Winners will be announced in August 2007.

Here's how to enter. Remember, these are the basic guidelines for your entry:

You may enter as many photographs as you wish; however, each photo must be entered separately, with a separate, signed entry/release form.

Make sure your photo is no larger than 8"x10" and no smaller than 3"x5". Digital photos must be produced at a minimum of 300 dpi. Do not send photos on CDs or diskettes. Low-quality digital photos on copy or printer paper will not be eligible.

Put a label on the back of your photo with your name, address, city, state, zip code, the name of your pet and any people in the photo, and the category you are entering. Do not write directly on the photo.

Don't put your pet in distress or dress him or her up in costumes. And companion pets should always wear tags!

Please note that all entries will become the property of the American Humane Association and will not be acknowledged or returned. There is no cost to enter.

All entries must be postmarked by July 31, 2007.

Go to www.americanhumane.org for the official rules, application form and release.