JOANNE JACOBSON BURNS of Crystal Falls and her dog, Maggie, the winner of The Daily News Pet Idol contest for 2024. (Marguerite Lanthier/ Daily News photo)

IRON MOUNTAIN — Time again to let everyone know you have one special pet.

This is the 12th year of The Daily News’ popular Pet Idol competition, inviting residents in the region to share that prized animal companion they have at home, be it cat or dog, parrot or pony, guinea pig or goat, cow or lizard, snake or pigeon. A hedgehog won one year.

The public then gets to make the call on who will be the next Pet Idol, with the first round of voting kicking off Monday, April 21.

“It will allow readers to choose their favorite pet from submitted photos,” said Jennifer Flynn, Daily News circulation manager.

Maggie, a then 3-year-old goldendoodle owned by Joanne Jacobson Burns of Crystal Falls, was the Pet Idol winner in 2024.

Pets can be entered now through Friday April 11. To participate, readers should submit a photo of their living pet — please, no “In Memoriam” entries.

The contest is open to all types of live critters, Flynn said, with no limit on entries — and yes, the same pet can be entered more than once but each requires a $5 donation.

There is no limit on voting, either — ballot stuffing is encouraged, she said — but a 25-cent donation is needed to cast each vote.

Proceeds go to the Newspaper in Education program that provides newspapers to area school districts and teachers for classroom use.

The Pet Idol winner will be featured with its owner on the front page of The Daily News, plus receive a trophy donated by BK Enterprises.

The top pet also will be the mascot of the NIE program for the 2025-2026 school year.

The contest has three rounds, with all entries vying at the start. The field will be cut in half after each round, with the highest vote-getters advancing.

All votes will carry forward into each round.

Pet photos and ballot will be published in The Daily News a few times each week. You can also make copies of the ballot or pick up extra ones at The Daily News office, 215 E. Ludington St. in Iron Mountain.

In the event of a tie, a tie-breaker will be conducted. All decisions are final and donations are non-refundable.

The Daily News and Powers Printing employees and their immediate families are not eligible to win the contest.

Photos must be of good quality, in black and white or color but at least 3-by-5 inches in size. Only one pet can be shown per photo and the photo should be only of the pet.

By entering a photo, permission is given to submit the owner and pet’s information in the contest.

The Daily News reserves the right to refuse any photo deemed unsuitable.

Entries either can be mailed to The Daily News, Attention: Jennifer Flynn, P.O. Box 460, Iron Mountain, MI 49801; dropped off at The Daily News office; or emailed to jflynn@ironmountaindailynews.com.

The Daily News must receive all entry forms and pet photos by the close of business at 5 p.m. Friday, April 11.

Entry forms should include owner’s name, address and phone number, along with the name of the pet. Photos can be picked up at The Daily News office at the end of the sweepstakes.

Participation means entrants agree they are bound to the official rules and all decisions made by The Daily News regarding the sweepstakes.

Ballots and donations can be dropped off or mailed to the newspaper by the deadlines posted.

Votes for round one will be accepted starting April 21 until close of business May 2. Voting for round two will be May 9 until close of business May 22.

The third and final round of voting will be May 27 until close of business June 9. The winner will be notified by phone and a front-page article will announce the winner at a later date.

Again, all proceeds benefit the NIE program with area schools. For more information or for teachers to sign up to get The Daily News in their classroom, contact Flynn at 906-774-2772, ext. 85218.