We are happy to consider well written, entertaining or informative articles and stories from any source for our website and members' newsletter, Pawprints. If you would like to submit an item for consideration please read these guidelines first.

What do we need? 

1. fiction,
2. poetry,
3. true life stories about dogs,
4. "Best of Breeds" pieces,
5. information about all aspects of dog ownership,
6. training advice,
7. hints and tips for new dog owners,
8. dog jokes,
9. anything else dog related!

General Submission Guidelines (all media)

1. All contributions must be dog related and child-friendly.
2. Sorry, but we cannot pay for contributions under any circumstances.
3. All submissions must include your name and phone number, email, and/or address.
4. We are happy to include your business details on articles you write. However, items which are more advert than information will not be accepted. Please ask if you wish to advertise on our website or in Pawprints.
5. All articles should promote responsible dog ownership and non aggressive training techniques. Advice should be aimed at first time dog owners, or those with very little knowledge/experience of dog ownership.
6. Contributions should not promote, or imply approval of, illegal acts, aggression, animal cruelty or neglect.
7. Editors edit. I try not to change much, but I do reserve the right to make minor alterations to your work and/or re-format it to fit the space available.
8. You can send your submission to PADS via the postal address or email here
9. If I publish something you have written yourself, you keep the copyright on it.
10. If you send something someone else has written (eg from your dog club newsletter or something you've seen on another website) you need their permission and to include their details as well as your own, so they can be acknowledged.
11. Hand-written contributions have to be copy-typed so please make them clear. Typed or emailed is preferred: please use a large (at least 12 points) clear font.
12. Contributions should ideally be no longer than 700 words. Ask first if you want to submit something longer.
13. If your favourite topic isn't covered, it may mean no-one has sent me anything about it. Why not try it yourself?
14. If you are a member of PADS, all photos (published or not) are returned with your copy of Pawprints.
15. If you are not a member of PADS and wish to have your contribution (or enclosed photos) returned to you, please enclose an sae.
16. The editor/webmaster's decision is final. I will read all contributions but cannot guarantee to include them all.

Pawprints Only Submissions

1. I don't have to agree with your viewpoint to publish your article. Discussion is good, as is polite and constructive criticism.
2. I aim to make the contents of each Pawprints as varied as possible. If I have twenty excellent poems but not much else (a) I'll have to leave out some really good poetry AND (b) I'm still short of contributions. If something's too good to miss, I'll try to use it in the following issue.
   (I'm not picking on the poets, by the way - just using poetry as an example. The same thing applies to event reviews, comments, articles, stories, training or dog care tips, jokes, cartoons, fiction, and anything else.)
3. Shorter prose items are rarest and therefore especially welcome.
4. Pictures; we currently print Pawprints in black and white but I can get usable images from most colour pictures. Copyright rules above apply.
5. Every contribution is read. All those printed are automatically considered for the Pawprints Award.
6. Deadlines: we print three issues of Pawprints per year, in March, July and November. Deadlines are the last day of the previous month (i.e. 28^th February, 30th June and 31^st October).

Website Only Submissions

1. I DO have to agree with your viewpoint to publish your article! Our website is the public face of our charity. It aims to advise new owners, not confuse them, so we need a consistent approach throughout! Controversy and moral or technical discussions will stay in Pawprints.
2. Colour pictures can be included for use on our website. Please submit images as photos or in gif or jpg format.