CPA 2026 – Terms and Conditions
Terms and conditions of entry
1. Promoter
The Colchester Pet Awards 2026 (“the Awards”) are promoted by Ginger and Tails (“the Promoter”).
2. Eligibility
2.1 Entry is free and open only to individuals aged 18 or over who are resident in, or who own/handle a pet resident in, the following postcode districts: CO1, CO2, CO3, CO4 and CO5. Entries from outside these postcode areas will not be accepted unless discussed and agreed with the Promoter.
2.2 The Awards are open to companion pets including (but not limited to) dogs, cats, small animals and reptiles.
3. Proof of Authority to Enter
3.1 By submitting an entry, the entrant confirms that:
- they are the legal owner of the pet, or
- they have the full knowledge and explicit permission of the pet’s legal owner to submit the entry.
3.2 Where a pet is owned by an organisation (for example, a rescue or charity), the entrant confirms they have written authorisation from that organisation to enter the Awards.
4. Young Handler Award – Parental / Guardian Consent
4.1 Entries to the Young Handler Award involving a person under the age of 18 must be submitted by a parent or legal guardian, or by another individual provided that they have obtained the express permission of the parent or legal guardian to submit the entry.
4.2 By submitting such an entry, the parent or legal guardian confirms that they give permission for:
- the entry to be submitted; and
- the young person’s first name, story and image(s) to be used in connection with the Awards.
5. Entry Requirements
5.1 Each entry must include a written story relating to the pet and the relevant award category.
5.2 Any photographs or images submitted must be owned by the entrant or used with the permission of the photographer and any person with rights in the image.
5.3 The Promoter reserves the right to reject entries that are incomplete, misleading, offensive, defamatory, or do not align with the spirit of the Awards.
6. Animal Welfare
6.1 By entering the Awards, entrants confirm that their pet is cared for responsibly and in a manner consistent with good animal welfare.
6.2 Entrants confirm that their entry does not depict, promote or incentivise practices that compromise animal welfare, and that any activities referenced reflect responsible, lawful ownership and handling appropriate to the species.
6.3 The Promoter reserves the right to remove or disqualify an entry if it has reasonable concerns regarding animal welfare.
7. Judging
7.1 Entries will be judged by an independent judging panel.
7.2 The judges’ decisions are final and no correspondence or discussion will be entered into.
7.3 The Promoter reserves the right not to award a category if, in the judges’ opinion, no suitable entry has been received.
8. Prizes
8.1 The Awards are intended as a recognition initiative rather than a prize-led competition. No prize or reward is guaranteed.
8.2 Any discretionary recognition, gifts or charitable donations associated with a winning entry (including, where applicable, a donation to an animal charity) are not guaranteed, remain entirely at the Promoter’s discretion, and may be subject to separate confirmation from third parties.
9. Use of Entries, Images and Stories
9.1 By entering the Awards, entrants grant the Promoter a royalty-free, perpetual licence to use submitted stories, images and content for the purposes of administering, promoting and reporting on the Awards.
9.2 This includes, but is not limited to:
- sharing full entry information (including full names and contact details) with the Gazette newspaper for the purpose of editorial review, fact-checking and contacting entrants to seek further information or consent for potential coverage; and
- publication of selected stories and images in print and online media, including the Gazette newspaper, and on Ginger and Tails and Awards-related social media channels.
9.3 Where an entry relates to a minor in the Young Handler Award, the minor’s full name and relevant contact details as supplied by the parent or legal guardian may also be shared with the Gazette newspaper strictly for the purposes outlined above.
9.4 When used on social media or Awards-controlled promotional channels, personal data will be limited to first names only. Surnames, precise locations and contact details will not be published by the Promoter.
9.5 The Promoter reserves the right to edit, crop or decline to publish any submitted story or image where necessary for formatting, clarity, legal or editorial reasons, or to remove content if concerns arise after publication.
10. Data Protection and Privacy
10.1 Personal data supplied during entry will be collected and processed in accordance with the Promoter’s Privacy Policy.
10.2 Data will be used solely for the administration of the Awards, contacting entrants, and activities outlined in these Terms and Conditions.
10.3 Entrant data will not be sold or shared with sponsors.
11. Withdrawal and Disqualification
11.1 Entrants may withdraw their entry at any time before judging by contacting the Promoter.
11.2 The Promoter reserves the right to disqualify an entry if it is later found to breach these Terms and Conditions or contain false information.
12. Liability
12.1 The Promoter accepts no responsibility for lost, delayed or incomplete entries.
12.2 Nothing in these Terms and Conditions excludes or limits liability for death or personal injury caused by negligence or for fraud.
13. Events Beyond the Promoter’s Control
The Promoter reserves the right to amend, postpone or cancel the Awards in the event of circumstances beyond its reasonable control.
14. Contact Details
Entrants are responsible for ensuring that the contact details provided are accurate and up to date. The Promoter accepts no responsibility for failure to contact an entrant due to incorrect or outdated information.
15. General
15.1 The Promoter reserves the right to amend these Terms and Conditions where necessary, with any material changes communicated via official Awards channels.
15.2 These Terms and Conditions are governed by the laws of England and Wales, and any disputes shall be subject to the exclusive jurisdiction of the English courts.
