Pooch Playoffs
The search for the 2026 "Ulti-Mutt Cutie of CNY"
16 Dogs. One Bracket. A Mission to Cure Breast Cancer.
Welcome to the most joyful competition in Central New York! Pooch Playoffs is a bracket-style photographic competition where 16 local pups go paw-to-paw for the title of "Ulti-Mutt Cutie of CNY".
It’s lighthearted, it’s fun, and it’s all for an incredible cause.
What You Get for a $125 Donation to The Baldwin Fund:
- One dog photography session
- sWAG bag
- Limited edition keychain with image of your dog on it
- The opportunity to invest in photographic wall art of your dog
- One entry into a bracket-style contest in which you invite your friends and family to vote for your pup!
Why We Play
Beyond the wagging tails and the "barking rights," this event has a deep heart. Over the past two years, our community has come together through Pooch Playoffs to raise $3,600 for charity. This year, we are aiming even higher.
I am honored to announce that 100% of our session fees will be donated directly to The Baldwin Fund.
The Baldwin Fund is a local powerhouse dedicated to advancing breast cancer research. By funding critical research grants—including programs right here at SUNY Upstate Medical University—they are working tirelessly to find better treatments and, ultimately, a cure.
A Personal Mission
This cause is deeply personal to me. A few short years ago, I lost a childhood friend to breast cancer. This event is my way of honoring her memory and bringing our community together—families, local businesses, and pet lovers alike—to support a mission that touches so many of our lives.
Past Pooch Playoff Contestants
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2026 Pooch Playoffs Sponsors
Our Community Champions
Spotlight: RBC Wealth Management (Syracuse)
We are honored to have RBC Wealth Management as a premier partner for this year’s Pooch Playoffs. As one of the world’s most trusted financial institutions, the Syracuse team at RBC brings a global perspective with a deeply personal, local heart. They are dedicated to helping families in Central New York navigate their financial journeys with integrity and excellence. Their commitment to our neighbors is why they’ve stepped up to help us support The Baldwin Fund and breast cancer research. When you see their name, know that you are in the company of a team that values legacy, community, and the things that matter most—like the families (and furry friends!) we serve.
A Special Thank You to Our Partners The Pooch Playoffs wouldn't be possible without the collective heart of our CNY business community. We are incredibly grateful for the continued support of:
- Seneca Savings: A 5-star rated local pillar that defines what it means to be a true community bank. Their dedication to local growth and charitable giving is unmatched.
- Inner Peace Yoga: Helping our community find balance and wellness, Inner Peace Yoga joins us in our mission to bring joy and health to the families of Central New York.
Because of these generous sponsors, 100% of your $125 entry fee goes directly to The Baldwin Fund.
About the Photographer: Kim Wolfe
I specialize in creating timeless photographic wall art of families and pets; Custom art of your loved ones to be passed on from generation to generation.
Life is busy enough without having to sift through 300 digital images to find the best ones to print and frame. In the past, I've found that most of my clients (myself included) weren’t printing images from photography sessions at all! The question is: what will we do with all of those digital images? It became clear to me that I needed to help people decorate their worlds with highly personal artwork.
In the past 3 years, Kim Wolfe Photography has raised over $10,000 for charities around CNY...what will we raise in 2026??
