Age & Identity: Contestants must be at least twenty one years of age by the start of the contest and may be any gender and sexuality.
Pet or Handler: Contestants must identify as a pet or handler.
Geography: Contestants must live in the Northeast geographical area, which is comprised of the following states: Connecticut, Maine, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, and Vermont.
Donation Basket: All contestants are required to submit a donation basket that will be auctioned off to help raise money for the titleholders’ travel funds.
Sponsorship: Sponsorship is optional. As the Producer of the NEPAH contest, NYC-PAH is unable to sponsor any contestants. Sponsorship may be sought out to mitigate travel expenses, coordinate donation baskets, or for any other contributions to support the contestant throughout the weekend. Any sponsorship must be disclosed on the application, or in writing to the Producers if attained after submitting the application.
Applications: All applications will be reviewed by the Producers before approving contestants to compete. Applications must be submitted by 5 days before the scheduled Meet and Sniff at 11:59 PM EST.
Social Media: All applicants must submit all social media accounts they have. They must allow the Producers to be able to view the current and history of their public facing accounts. Any questions regarding past behavior will be addressed at that time. Examples are, but not limited to: symbols that promote racism, bigotry, speech that squelches diversity and inclusion, rhetoric that is consistently inflammatory in nature, espousal of willful consent violations.
Stage Attire: Contestants must agree to appear onstage wearing appropriate gear/clothing and participate in all judged categories while conforming to local regulations pertaining to nudity and obscenity. Actual sexual acts are not permitted on the stage. For the purpose of this contest, genital areas must be covered at all times. When outside the confines of the contest (public areas), also cover your butt.
Photo Release: Contestants must agree to and sign the NEPAH Photography Release form.
Pairs: Pet and handler contestants that choose to compete as a pair will be judged and scored independently, even if their on-stage performances are together.
No Influencing Judges: Contestants may not attempt to sway the judges through gifts, meals, favors, or similar acts. In addition, contestants must adhere to the “Fraternization with the Judges” policy found in the contest guide.
No Illegal Drugs: Illegal drug use is prohibited.
Compliance: All rules and regulations imposed by the Northeast Pet and Handler Contest must be followed. Failure to do so may result in removal from the Northeast Pet and Handler Contest, which would result in immediate disqualification.
Amendments: These rules may be amended by the Producers of the contest if need arises. If this occurs, all parties involved will be notified.
Judge Authority: The Producers and the staff of the contest do not have any authority to override any judge’s decision. The Head Judge is in charge of the panel of judges. As it relates to scoring, the decision of the Head Judge is final.
Tiebreaker: In case of a tie, the Head Judge will make the final decision.
Title Commitment: Contestants must agree that if they win they will represent the Northeast Pet or Handler title throughout the title year as explained in the “Expectations of our winners” document. This includes refraining from competition in any other leather/puppy/rubber/fetish contest until the conclusion of their Northeast Pet or Handler Title year unless approved in writing by NEPAH Producers, with the exception of IPTC (International Puppy and Trainer Contest) at which the contestants are encouraged to compete. Additionally titleholders must return to the NEPAH contest the following year to step down from their title, and may be asked to teach or volunteer in other roles.
Runner-Up: In the event of a first runner up, the first runner-up agrees to assume the title, privileges, and responsibilities of the winner if the winner resigns or has their title revoked.
Title Year: The title year is defined as beginning when a contestant is named the winner of the Northeast Pet and Handler contest and concludes at the following year’s contest when a new winner is announced.
Post-Contest Planning: After the contest, the winners will meet with the Producers to discuss and begin planning how the titleholder will meet the expectations as listed in the “Expectation of winners” document. The titleholders will also be expected to sign an additional photo release that covers all future events in which the winner is representing NEPAH as the titleholder.
Most Important Rule: Have fun and remember this amazing experience you share with your contestant class. You have made lifetime friends!
Attendance: Contestants should arrive on-site for registration no later than 5:00pm on Friday of the contest weekend start, and should appear on time, in person at all scheduled events during the NEPAH weekend through Sunday at 2pm. Contestants may be disqualified from the contest at the discretion of the Producers of NEPAH if they are unable to make all scheduled events or if they are tardy frequently throughout the weekend.
Disciplinary Action: Contestants not following the rules will be subject to disciplinary action, which may take form of point reduction or disqualification as decided by the Producers and Head Judge.
Travel Planning: Contestants are strongly encouraged to allow for enough time to decompress on either side of the contest and compensate for any possible travel delays/conflicts.
Fraternization with the Judges: Northeast Pet and Handler contestants are encouraged to get to know the judges and interact with them. However, contestants are prohibited from having private meetings or engaging in any sexual activity or scene play with the judges prior to the announcement of the contest results. Any behavior that might create the appearance of bias will be brought to the attention of the Producers, who along with the Head Judge (if not involved) will decide if the disqualification of the judge and/or contestant is warranted. To avoid accidental violation of this policy and possible removal from the contest, contestants and judges will be introduced to each other prior to the beginning of the contest weekend. Additionally, all contestants and judges must display their identification badges at all times throughout the weekend.
Overview: The scoring is based on a 1000 point system. Each contestant is judged individually and not as a pair. For all contestants competing as pets, the best score out of 1000 will be declared the winner of the Northeast Pet title. For all contestants competing as handlers, the best score out of 1000 will be declared the winner of the Northeast Handler title. In the event that no contestant scores 75% of points or better, there will not be a winner for that title. In case of a tie, the Head Judge will determine the winner. Olympic scoring will be used except in the event more than two judges are unable to complete the scoring of the competition.
Fundraising [max 50 points]: Each contestant will be required to sell raffle tickets during the Meet & Greet. Each ticket sold is worth two points and contestants will be required to sell at least twenty-five raffle tickets to obtain all available points for this category. Contestants should not buy raffle tickets from themselves.
Interview [max 300 points]: Judges will conduct a closed-door interview with each contestant to explore their vision of what their title year will look like as well as the contestants’ willingness and ability to represent the title. Interview topics may include contestants’ interest in pet play, fetishes, knowledge, as well as any additional questions the Judges desire to ask. The interview is expected to last for approximately 15 minutes, but the length will ultimately be determined by the Head Judge. Numbers will be drawn to establish the order of interviews. The Head Judge will establish the order of questions and moderate the session. Attire is pet/handler wear that you feel best represents you and your personality. If you wear a hood, remember to remove it before the interview begins. Contestants will also be judged on whether they can communicate clearly and professionally, whether they are presenting an image consistent with that of a titleholder, and on the contestants ability to use language that is inclusive. One aspect of the interview will be an explanation of pet play. The winners chosen as Northeast Pet and Handler will be representing the pet and handler community at numerous events that may or may not be familiar with the pet and handler community or the concept of pet play. Things like gear, headspace, and what pet play means can be very foreign concepts to some and as such it is important that contestants are able to explain pet play to someone who has no idea what the pet and handler community is all about.
Introduction / Pop Question [max 75 points]: Each individual contestant will appear onstage and is encouraged to dress to project their pet or handler look; it can be their favorite pet gear, leather, rubber, or whatever they enjoy. Each contestant will introduce themselves to the audience and briefly describe their background or interest in the pet and handler community. This introduction is limited to thirty seconds and can receive up to twenty-five points. Then each contestant will answer two pre-selected questions onstage, asked by one of the Judges. Contestants will have ninety seconds to respond to each question and the responses to each question can receive up to twenty-five points. Judging in this category is based on how well you can command the audience’s attention, and how well the contestant brings their own knowledge and values to the answer.
Lifestyle Image [max 250 points]: Judges will observe all contestants during the course of the event weekend. Judging officially begins once contestants arrive on the property, Friday. Based on their observations, Judges will award Lifestyle Image points with regard to how each contestant behaves and interacts as a pet or handler, as well as how they carry themselves as a potential representative of the pet and handler community throughout the entire weekend. During the Meet & Greet on Friday evening, the Judges will be watching to see how the contestants interact and handle themselves as representatives of the pet and handler community, as well as the contestants’ ability to have casual but intentional conversations in a bar setting. Contestants will also be judged for their effort in connection with the fundraising raffle. Each contestant should make a point to spend at least a few minutes speaking with each Judge during that time. The Judges will also be observing the pup mosh on Saturday. While part of the Judges’ scores will be related to believability and how each contestant behaves as a pet or handler, they will also be looking to see how well each contestant acts as a representative and ambassador for the pet and handler community.
Show Presentation [max 150 points]: Contestants will appear onstage while performing a pet play scene that they have written. Judging in this category is based on the contestant’s creativity and ability to convey a scene that demonstrates an important aspect of their personality. The scene could be playful, erotic, comic, romantic, or educational but must express an important aspect of the pet’s personality. Props may be used, but must be approved by the Producers for safety and compliance with the law. The Pet Scene cannot exceed five (5) minutes in length. A fifteen-point penalty will be assessed for any skit exceeding the maximum time.
On Stage Speech [max 150 points]: The contestants will prepare and deliver a speech. The speech can be of any topic the contestant wishes, but must be recited from memory and not read. Contestants should use the speech to share their goals, mission and value and share any vision that they have for their title year if selected. The Judges will be awarding points on both speech content as well as comfort of speech delivery. The speech should be between ninety seconds and two minutes. A fifteen-point penalty will be assessed for any speech exceeding the maximum time.
Overview: The NEPAH titleholders are expected to represent the Northeast Pet and Handler Contest, its sponsors, and the Northeast pet and handler community in a positive light both throughout the region and beyond. Titleholders are expected to act and conduct themselves in a manner that reflects positively on themselves and the community that they have been chosen to represent.
Promote the Goals: The foremost duty of the winners is to promote the goals of the Northeast Pet and Handler contest in a positive light throughout the year and conduct themselves as positive role models.
Step-Down & Judging: The winners are required to return the following year to the NEPAH contest and give a step-down speech, for which their travel and hotel expenses will be deducted from their travel fund (if necessary and if funds are available). The winners are expected to return the year after their step-aside to judge (exceptions and unforeseen circumstances will be discussed on a case-by-case basis).
Key Events: The winners are encouraged to attend Mid-Atlantic Leather Weekend in Washington DC. The titleholders are expected to attend Folsom East in New York City, and International Puppy and Trainer Contest.
Regional Attendance: The NEPAH titleholders are strongly encouraged to attend as many local and regional puppy/pet events as possible, but must attend at least 1 event from each established puppy/pet/handler group in the Northeast. If additional Northeast groups (CT, MA, ME, PA, NJ, NH, NY, RI, VT) are formed during the title year, the titleholders should attempt to attend an event of theirs as well. It is also expected that the titleholders attend quarterly events in their local pet groups.
Educational Content: The winners are required to hold 2 virtual discussions/classes/Q&As or other educational content. The titleholders can do these together or separate.
Travel Funds: Travel funds must be approved prior to committing to the event. Should funds be leftover at the conclusion of the title year, they will be rolled into the following year’s travel fund. The only exception to this is when the titleholder has indicated that they intend to compete at the international level (must be within the next year).
