Pet of the Year 2024: Vote for your favourite
Get your votes in for Fuzz Design's 2024 Pet of the Year competition and go into the running to win your own photography session.
This sponsored story is brought to you by Fuzz Design.
Capturing the love and passion between pets and their adoring humans is what drives Sarina Veliz’s photography business.
Fuzz Design is Sarina's heart and soul; she embraces the natural beauty of her farm and how pets interact with South Australia’s native surroundings.
If you’re reading this, it’s your lucky day because Sarina is again giving back to the community by running her annual Pet of the Year award.
Even with some time off this year to spend with her new baby, she has felt the immense love from the community.
At random, Sarina selected some of the pets she's photographed this year to go for the title of Pet of the Year.
The pets will also go into the running for a stunning 16x20 fine art print, valued at $795.
“My big thing is having photos of your animals that you can put on the wall,” she says.
Along with this, the lucky winner will receive an exclusive Murray Bridge News prize pack.
As a voter, you will also go into the running to take home a session with Fuzz Design.
Here are the official contenders for the 2024 Pet of the Year.
Callie the Kelpie
Photos: Fuzz Design
Callie and Talin the Staffies
Photos: Fuzz Design
Daisy the Husky x Malamute
Photos: Fuzz Design
Fergus the Ginger Domestic Longhair Cat
Photos: Fuzz Design
Henry the Border Collie x Staffy
Photos: Fuzz Design
Lyla and Luka the French Bulldog and Husky
Photos: Fuzz Design
Mocha the Husky x Labrador
Photos: Fuzz Design
Smokey and Stella the Kelpie x Blue Heeler and Ridgeback x Staffy
Photos: Fuzz Design
Sparkles, Cash and Kiki the Chihuahuas
Photos: Fuzz Design
Tasha and Ozzie the Boxer x Shar pei and Blue Heeler
Photos: Fuzz Design
Zoey the Staghound x Greyhound
Photos: Fuzz Design
To vote for your favourite pet, visit fuzz-design.com/pet-of-the-year-2024 or click the button below.
Just by voting you can win a limited $185 gift certificate for a photography session with Fuzz Design.
- Entries close on Monday, December 16.
- The winner will be contacted by Fuzz Design.
Photographing pets and their people
Located just 10 minutes out of Murray Bridge, a picturesque property at Monteith is where Sarina works her pet photography magic.
By turning the photos into artwork, Sarina provides beautiful creations to be hung in a home.
No matter if your pet is lazy, excitable, energetic, or nervous, Sarina provides them with a comfortable environment.
The thing people get most worried about is if their dog will sit still or not, she says.
“There's no distractions, I can get a lot of dogs and cats in general, they can be a bit anxious and we spend some time getting them comfortable," she says.
This is why Sarina does all her sessions on lead.
The editing process may take a little longer, but you’d never know there was once a lead on your pet.
“I do a lot of family photography because, you know, our pets are part of our family,” she says.
"I've got a big studio out here, I've got all the artwork and everything set up and people come and view their photos, it's a whole experience.
“We make the sessions fun.”
After getting a degree in visual arts and photography, Sarina ended up using photography as a side hobby while she focused on graphic design.
It wasn’t until she started photographing feral kittens for a friend's rescue in New South Wales that she thought she could take this up for certain.
“I grew up in Murray Bridge, and we moved back here three years ago … I've restarted everything here,” she says.
“I think compared to last year, I've done twice as many photo sessions … it's getting bigger and bigger.
“I always say to people, if it's a complete disaster, you'll be surprised at how many good photos I can still get.”
Sarina is always up for a chat about what an owner is looking for with their sessions.
Her work also extends beyond capturing memories.
She's partnered with Furever Farm since coming back to Murray Bridge, and raised over $8,000 through fundraisers like the Tales of the World book project.
- More information: Visit fuzz-design.com.
Advertising to more than 20,000 highly engaged locals can do wonders for your business. Call Murray Bridge News’ Jane Intini on 0418 835 768 or email jane@murraybridge.news.
Peri Strathearn
