DogTime 2013 Pet Blog Awards Nominations Now Open

SAN FRANCISCO, June 11, 2013 /PRNewswire/ -- The annual "Petties Awards" – considered by many to be the "Oscars of the pet blogging community" – is now accepting nominations from the pet blogging community and their loyal readers. Hosted by DogTime Media, the largest vertical media community focused exclusively on pet owners, the "Petties" is in its fourth year and is expected to exceed last year's record of over 20,000 nominations.

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The DogTime 2013 Pet Blog Awards is accepting nominations in the following 10 categories:

Best Dog Blog
Best Cat Blog
Best Cause-Related Blog
Best Designed Blog
Best Individual Blog Post
Best Active-Living Blog
Funniest Blog or Blogger
Best Video Post
Best Pet Mobile Application
Best Overall Pet Blog

The "Petties Awards" is also about giving back to the animal community, and over the past three years it has donated $50,000 to non-profit animal shelters and rescues. During the nominations process this year, participants can include a non-profit animal shelter or rescue of their choice to receive a $10,000 Petties Grant. The shelter with the most nominations will win the grant. Last year's winning shelter was the Humane Society of Chittenden County in South Burlington, Vt.

"We have included new categories this year that reflect the increase in video and mobile content across the pet blogging and social media community," said Simon Tonner, president & CEO of DogTime Media. "This year's award ceremony will feature highlights from ten of the best pet videos we have seen in the past 12 months, and one will be awarded the first ever Petties video award."

Nominations for the 2013 DogTime Pet Blog awards close June 28th, 2013. The four bloggers with the most nominations in each category will be chosen as finalists. Voting for the finalists opens July 5th and closes July 31st, 2013. Winners will be announced in an online ceremony broadcast at http://petties.dogtime.com in September.

Each winning blogger will be awarded a $1,000 donation to the animal shelter of their choice, along with a custom "Petties" award trophy, a "Petties Winner" badge for their blog site, a valuable package of editorial coverage across the DogTime Media Network, and a host of social media traffic-driving opportunities.

Winners of last year's DogTime Blog Awards were:

Best Designed Blog: Deb Barnes for Zee and Zoey
Best Social Integration Blog: Paris Permenter for DogTipper.com
Funniest Blog or Blogger: Abby Rosenberg for Daisy the Curly Cat
Best Cause-Related Blog: Alana Miller for Blind Cat Rescue & Sanctuary
Best Blog Post: Joanne McGonagle for Tiniest Tiger's Conservation Cub Club
Best Cat Blog: Ingrid King for The Conscious Cat
Best Dog Blog: Maggie Marton for Oh My Dog!
Best Pet Product Review Blog: Jamie Smith for Thoughts Fur Paws
Best Video Post: Pets Add Life
Best Overall Pet Blog: Lorie Huston for Pet Health Care Gazette

For more information and/or nominate a blogger, go to http://petties.dogtime.com.

About DogTime Media:

DogTime Media is the largest vertical media community focused exclusively on pet owners and the $55 billion dollar annual pet market. DogTime Media reaches 55 million monthly users via its community of 545 leading pet-focused websites, 610 pet bloggers and more than 3,000 rescue groups, anchored by its own DogTime.com and CatTime.com.

DogTime Media actively supports the efforts of rescue groups and shelters nationwide to significantly reduce the number of homeless and neglected pets in the country by providing authoritative advice to both novice and experienced pet guardians. DogTime Media has donated over $275,000 to pet related causes through monthly grants and a variety of other programs. Privately held DogTime Media is based in San Francisco, Calif.

Media Contacts:
DogTime Media
Christina Kwan
(415) 830-9323
[email protected]

SOURCE DogTime Media