Hampshire, IL (PRWEB) September 10, 2008 -- Ultra-Premium Rawhide Chunky Chews® is giving one fetching dog an opportunity to shine in the company's 2009 promotional campaign. The dog treat's first annual national photo contest asks big-dog lovers to submit a funny, touching, or just plain cute photo of four-legged friends enjoying a Chunky Chew, plus a short essay stating why they choose Chunky Chews. The grand prize winning dog will be part of our 2009 advertising campaign and receive a $250 dog gift pack. The first 100 accepted entrants will receive a complimentary sample of the product. The first runner-up will receive a $100 gift pack. This first 100 owner's submitting their photo and essay earn a free Chunky Chews just for entering.

For the past 25 years, Rawhide Brand Chews have been a favorite, natural rawhide product for dogs. The Ultra-Premium Rawhide Chunky Chews® were designed to meet the needs of owners seeking chews for their large-breed dogs.

"This contest is a fun way to reward our faithful customers and their best friends," said Darlene Frudakis, president and COO for PetAg, Inc. "The big-dog friendly shapes and nutriceutical marinades available help make our solid rawhides especially pleasing for aggressive chewers," she added.

According to the American Pet Product Manufacturers Association Pet Owners' Survey, 87 percent of dog owners choose rawhide chews specifically, and 48 percent of owners seek chews for large breeds including Labrador Retrievers and Golden Retrievers.

Chunky Chews are made from the hides of 100% natural grass-fed beef cattle and processed without added chemicals, bleaches or preservatives. They come in all-natural or with an added marinade of glucosamine which addresses joint issues that can afflict larger breeds. The product has layers of solid rawhide that is compressed and tied into the patented Round Safety-Knot design that designed for aggressive chewers.

Ultra-Premium Rawhide Chunky Chews® and other PetAg products can be purchased in retail outlets where pet products are found, and by mail order. For more information, visit www.petag.com.

The contest:

The contest is open to all photographers, professional or amateur, from any part of the world and entries are accepted today through end of business on December 31, 2008. For complete contest rules and prize details, log onto www.petag.com and follow the directions to enter.

Contest is open only to legal residents of the 50 United States and the District of Columbia, must be 18 years of age or older at the time of entry. Employees and their immediate family members of PetAg, Inc. and Tails Magazine, its parents, affiliates, subsidiaries, divisions, suppliers, advertising and Internet, and promotional agencies are not eligible to enter or win.

Judging and announcement of winners

A team of creative advisors will be appointed by PetAg, Inc. as judges to undertake selection of the winning photograph. The winner will be announced on the PetAg website in an official press release by the end of January 2009.

Winner will be selected by February 1, 2009 based on the quality, composition and creativity of the photo and statement they submit as determined soley by PetAg Inc., whose decisions are final and binding in all matters relating to this contest. The Grand Prize Winner and Runner-up will be notified by telephone, e-mail or mail service by February 9, 2009. Winner(s) will be requested to send the winning photo(s) in digital format suitable for publishing, high quality jpeg at 300k minimum size is preferred. Sending instructions to be given at time of notification.

About PetAg, Inc.:

For over 60 years, PetAg, Inc. has been a leading manufacturer of high-quality pet nutrition and health conscious products. Headquartered in Hampshire, Ill., PetAg has brought pets and their owners some of the most recognizable brand names in the industry. PetAg products cover a wide range of animals through every stage of the life cycle. From newborn care including the scientifically balanced neonatal milk replacers, Esbilacâ and KMRâ, to senior pet care supplements including the patent-pending CatSure and DogSure which lead the category. PetAg's health and fitness categories include Rawhide Brandâ and Chunky Chews® for dogs and Pink Parrotâ exercise toys for birds. Each of the product categories has the same focus: to enrich and prolong the lives of pets.

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