Dog owners in Poznań have a chance to turn their daily walks into a creative project, with the city inviting residents to enter a photography competition promoting responsible pet ownership.
The competition, titled Kupa miłości do psa to też odpowiedzialność, uses a playful Polish slogan that links affection for dogs with the responsibility of keeping shared spaces clean. Participants are encouraged to capture original, humorous photographs showing that looking after a four-legged companion also means cleaning up after them.
There are prizes for 24 participants, including Instax instant cameras and LEGO sets, and the competition is open for entries until 6th November 2026.
A creative take on responsible dog ownership
The idea is straightforward: take a photograph that celebrates dogs while highlighting the importance of keeping Poznań's streets, parks and green spaces clean.
Entries can feature dogs during walks, owners' pet-care accessories or the city's own reminders about cleaning up after animals. Photographs showing municipal signs or campaign posters are also eligible, provided they present the subject in an original and visually appealing way.
Poznań's campaign makes use of local wording and humour. Some of the signs feature phrases such as Po kejtrze sprząTEJ! and Twój kejter – Twoja kupa!, drawing on the regional dialect and the word kejter, meaning dog.
The organisers are looking for creativity rather than elaborate equipment. A picture taken with a smartphone is enough, and a clever idea can be more effective than a complicated set-up.
The competition also reflects an everyday issue for residents. Clean pavements, playground surroundings, parks and neighbourhood paths make public spaces more pleasant for everyone, including families with children, other dog owners and visitors to the city.
Who can enter?
The competition is open to adults aged 18 and over who live in Poznań. Each participant may submit one entry through the online form provided by the city's Department of Municipal Management. Entries are already open and the submission deadline is 6th November 2026 at 12 noon. According to the rules, winners should be announced no later than 18th November 2026.
Photographs must not show identifiable people. Participants should therefore check the background before submitting an image, including for passers-by who might otherwise appear in the frame.
There are also restrictions on how photographs can be prepared. Basic adjustments to brightness, contrast, colour, white balance and cropping are permitted. However, entries must not contain added or removed elements, manipulated scenes or AI-generated imagery.
Anyone using one of the city's signs must leave it exactly as it is. Removing a sign from the ground or damaging it in any way is prohibited.
The full competition regulations and submission form are available through the City of Poznań's official website.
Instax cameras and LEGO sets up for grabs
A total of 24 entries will receive prizes. Four winners, selected from the highest-scoring photographs, will receive an Instax Mini 13 instant camera with film for 20 photographs. The next 20 participants will receive a LEGO Botanicals Bonsai Tree set.
The judging panel will assess each photograph against three criteria: originality and creativity, connection with the competition theme and photographic quality, including elements such as depth of field.
This means that the strongest entries will need to do more than simply show a dog beside a sign. The judges will be looking for a distinctive idea, a clear message about responsible ownership and a well-executed photograph. The winning entries may also feature in the city's educational campaign materials, on its website and across its social media channels.
The most important point is that the image should communicate the message clearly while remaining original, tasteful and fun.
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