Texas Pet and Handler 2025 Application

Requirements of Texas Pet/Handler 2025:

* Gay/bisexual/transgender/queer persons 21 years or older as of April 1, 2025

* Be a permanent resident of the state of Texas 
* Provide two high-resolution pictures
* Provide at least one raffle basket for the travel fund raffle at the Meet-and-Greet
* Participate in the critter/handler community with goals of leadership/ambassadorship for Austin Kink Weekend
* Contestants will need to pay a non-refundable $25 USD application fee (Hardship case exceptions will be considered by contacting us at puck@austinkinkweekend.com)

 Expectations: 

* To promote the Texas Pet and Handler Contest and Austin Kink Weekend contest locally, statewide, nationally, and/or internationally, when possible
* To make a minimum of three (6) public appearances as Texas Pet and Handler at leather, fetish, or LGBTQ+ events in the state of Texas during the title year
* To attend and assist with the 2025 Austin Kink Weekend

*To organize at least one charitable event or fundraiser as Mr. Texas Leather that benefits an organization within the leather, kink, or LGBTQ+ community.

* To maintain good standing in the community by presenting oneself with integrity

* Maintain a high level of professionalism while wearing contest sash, back patch, and/or other title affiliated attire (ex: avoid excessive intoxication, no inappropriate public nudity, etc)
* Must compete in an international-level competition (IPTC, World Pet, etc.) at end of title year as a representative of the Texas Pet and Handler contest and Austin Kink Weekend
* The elected titleholders may not compete in other leather/rubber/puppy/pet/fetish contests during their title year, as this would likely conflict with their responsibilities and obligations to AKW.
* To NOT create or promote a competing contest/weekend event without the consent of the Texas Leather Contest Production staff

Scoring:

Contestants will be scored on how well they represent themselves in their application, the judges’ interview, AKW social events, pop question and formal presentation, and on-stage pet play/ pet handling. They will be judged with regard to stage presence, personality, their interpretation of pet (critter) culture, and grooming.

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 Texas Pet. For all contestants competing as Handler, the best score out of 1000 will be declared the winner of Texas Handler. In the event that no contestant scores 80% of points or more there will not be a winner for that title

Contest Categories:

* Application 

* Social dynamics at Austin Kink Weekend

* Contestant's response to pop question
* Judges’ Interview
* Contestant's pet scene show presentation
* 2 minute speech to the community (points deducted after 2 min)

* Contestant’s interpretation of Pet/Critter/Handler lifestyle image 

Judging:

Contestants will be judged on the aforementioned categories by a panel of judges. Points awarded by the judges will be added together for each contestant, and the contestant with the cumulative highest number of points will be declared the winner. For the sake of score calculation, Olympic scoring will be utilized where the highest and lowest scores in each category will not be counted for placings nor tie breaking.  The contestant with the second-highest score will be the runner-up. In the event of a tie, category scores will be utilized and the highest score in the speech category will determine the winner of the tie, followed by judges' interview, followed by image, pop question, and then application.   

• At the time of application, social media accounts may be reviewed. Any questions regarding past behavior will be addressed at this time. Examples would be (but are not limited to): symbols that promote racism or bigotry, speech that squelches diversity and inclusion, rhetoric that is consistently inflammatory in nature, espousal of willful consent violations.
• All contestants will participate in all categories of the contest, as given under the scoring guidelines.
• All contestants will bring to the event 1 at least one basket of donated goods to be sold at auction. Themed baskets bring in the most money, and it is always wise to consider your audience.
• Contestants shall not attempt to sway the judges through gifts, meals, favors, or any other kind of items or acts that could be seen as bribery.
• Illegal substance use is prohibited (Non-Medical) and is subject to the rules of the contest location.
• Excessive use of alcohol will likely result in a reduction of points in the Lifestyle Image portion.
• Nudity and actual sex acts are not permitted on the stage. All contestants must have front genitals covered with opaque material at all times.
• All rules and regulations imposed by the Austin Kink Weekend event must be followed. Removal from the AKW 2025 event will result in immediate disqualification from the contest.
• The producers reserve the right to amend these rules as necessary. If this occurs, all parties involved will be notified.
• 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 judging team. In case of a tie, the Head Judge will make the final decision.
  If there is any question on the integrity of the scoring or other activities, it will then be reviewed by the producers and a final decision will be made.
• Contestants must agree that if they win, they will represent the Texas Pet and Handler title throughout the title year as explained in the section entitled “Expectations” above.
• In the event of a first runner-up, the first runner-up agrees to assume the title, privileges, and responsibilities if the titleholder voluntarily resigns or involuntarily is removed.
• The title year is defined as beginning when a Contestant is named the winner of the Texas Pet and Handler contest and concludes at the following year’s contest when a new winner is announced.
• 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” document. The titleholders will also be expected to sign an additional photo release that covers all future events in which the winner is representing AKW as the titleholder.
• Fraternization with the Judges: Texas 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.