Wiltshire Council's Dog Warden team is calling on young artists aged 5 to 14 to help tackle dog fouling across the county with the launch of the "Leave Only Pawprints" competition.
Children are invited to design eye-catching posters and stickers that will remind dog owners to clean up after their pets, promoting cleaner and safer public spaces for everyone.
Winning designs will be prominently displayed throughout Wiltshire's parks, footpaths, and open spaces, spreading the message of responsible pet ownership in a fun and engaging way.
Cllr Paul Sample JP, Cabinet Member for Waste, Climate Emergency and Environment, spoke of the importance of the initiative: "This is a fantastic opportunity for children to use their creativity to make a real difference in their communities.
"We all want to enjoy clean, safe public spaces, and this competition is a great way to get young people involved in promoting that message and hopefully educating them from an early age on the importance of looking after where we live.
"I look forward to seeing the imaginative and inspiring designs our talented young residents come up with."
The competition is open to all children living in Wiltshire (excluding Swindon) and is divided into three age categories: 5-7, 8-11, and 12-14.
Winners in each category will receive a £50 Amazon voucher, generously donated by the council's Streetscene contractor idverde. "At idverde, we believe that small collective actions can lead to meaningful change," said Paul Ashman, Community Engagement Manager at idverde.
"That's why we're committed to building strong relationships within local communities — so that everyone can feel proud of where they live. Clean, tidy spaces uplift us all, and creating these posters is a great way to inspire that shared sense of care and pride in our surroundings."
Entries can be submitted as drawings or paintings and should focus on encouraging responsible pet ownership and keeping Wiltshire's green spaces clean.
Competition packs are available through the following channels: email:
Entry deadline is 1st August , 2025
Shortlisted designs will be selected by staff at Bath Cats & Dogs Home and showcased on the Wiltshire Council social media pages during the week commencing 18th August, 2025. The public will then be invited to vote for their favourites, with winners announced on 12th September, 2025.
