• by Tanya Gazdik , May 4, 2011

JetBlue Airways and Kimpton Hotels are joining for a promotion to coincide with National Pet Awareness Month.

JetBlue has pledged to donate $2 to The Millan Foundation -- up to $10,000 -- for every pet photo uploaded to Twitter between May 4 and May 18 using the hashtag #JetPaws.

Established by dog trainer and TV personality Cesar Millan, the Burbank, Calif.-based Millan Foundation strives to create and deliver humane education programs. The organization also promotes animal welfare by supporting the rescue, rehabilitation, and re-homing of abused and abandoned dogs.

In addition, JetBlue Getaways will award one lucky winner with a two-night, three-day vacation package to a partner property, the Hotel Palomar Los Angeles-Westwood, a Kimpton Hotel and one of the airline's most pet-friendly destinations. Selection of the winning Twitter photo will be determined by popular vote by the airline's 13,000 crew members, and will be based on originality and creativity.

More information on the Twitter pet photo contest and The Millan Foundation may be found at www.jetblue.com/petcontest. The airline is also highlighting the promotion on its Facebook page and on Twitter.

JetBlue also has named Moose, a one-year-old Maltese poodle, as the airline's "Most-Traveled Pet" in 2010. The top dog and his companion, Suffolk University law student Jamie Griebner, originally of Buffalo, N.Y., currently live in Boston. Last year they logged more than 20 flights, thousands of TrueBlue customer loyalty points and countless "good dog" greetings from JetBlue's friendly crew members, according to the airline.

As a thank you for his loyalty and devotion, Moose will also be treated to a cross-country JetBlue Getaways trip, traveling nonstop from Boston's Logan to Los Angeles International Airport for a stay at Hotel Palomar. Upon arrival, Moose will be greeted by Luna -- the hotel's newly appointed director of pet relations -- for Yappy Hour, a social scene for furry partygoers and their two-legged friends. Fresh bowls of water and gourmet treats will be served along with complimentary wine.

Kimpton Hotels do not charge extra fees or deposits for pets and they welcome any size, weight or breed at all locations. The airline's pet-friendly program includes frequent flier points for carrying on pets. Pets traveling with members of TrueBlue, JetBlue's loyalty program, earn an additional 300 TrueBlue points for each one-way, $100 travel fee paid. Carry-on pets receive a "Check Me Out, I'm Checked In" bag tag at the ticket counter.

JetPaws, the pet-friendly airline's exclusive in-cabin program, is designed to provide pets and their owners with the tips and tools they need for a smooth trip. Elements include a special welcome email for pet owners within one week of their booking and complimentary access to a downloadable e-booklet highlighting pet-friendly hotels, restaurants, parks and animal hospitals in some of JetBlue's top cities. More info on JetPaws is available at www.jetblue.com/jetpaws.