Pembroke photographer hosting 'Pooch Playoff' fundraiser for Scituate Animal Shelter

PEMBROKE – Basketball and puppy lovers, look no further: There is a new March Madness on the South Shore.

Pembroke boutique photographer Isabella Ripley, 22, is meshing her passion for photography, love for dogs and desire to give back into a monthlong competition called "Pooch Playoffs."

Now through March 13, dogs can take part in an hourlong photo shoot, complete with a framed 5-by-7-inch photo and a take-home goodie bag for $99. Once all the photo shoots are finished, Ripley will upload one photo from each session and allow the public to vote for the "Ulti-mutt Cutie" in a March Madness-style bracket competition. All proceeds will be donated to the Scituate Animal Shelter.

"One of the big things that I've been taught growing up is just to give back," Ripley said. "In any way I can, I'd love to incorporate charities and make sure that I'm giving back to the community that has been so kind to me."

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Participating dog owners will have a consultation with Ripley before the photo shoot and then choose which photo they want to feature in the bracket-style competition.

Ripley she said looks forward to helping owners spotlight their furry friends and hopes to show off each dog's personality through the photos.

"Pooch Playoffs" also works to support local businesses.

Kupcakes & Kibble in Plymouth has donated treats for the "wag bags" to be given out to participants. For first-, second- and third-place winners, there are prizes from Sprezzatura Boutique in Plymouth and The Gloss Bar in Hingham.

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Ripley said she hopes other businesses will get involved.

The bracket competition will begin after the last of the photo shoots and end on March 31. The winner will be coined the Ulti-mutt Cutie.

"It's my first competition like this," Ripley said. "I am hoping to keep it going and do it as an annual thing to kind of coincide with March Madness."

Participating pup owners can sign up at isabellaripley.com/poochplayoffs. The bracket will be hosted by Ripley with help from a supporting website. Everyone is eligible to vote.

Ripley is part of a national community of photographers hosting the Pooch Playoffs in their regions. The winner of the South Shore competition will moves on to a nationwide bracket.

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Reach Alyssa Fell at afell@patriotledger.com.

This article originally appeared on The Patriot Ledger: "Pooch Playoffs" photo fundraiser to benefit Scituate Animal Shelter