ADOPT a Gruesome Cutie

Gruesome Cuties Adoption Co. is committed to the well-being of each Gruesome Cutie ("cuties") entrusted to our care.

Our adoption process is designed to select the best match for each cutie and their future family.

• We do not discriminate against potential adopters based on ethnicity, race, age, gender, or income.
  
• We adopt our cuties into indoor-only homes. (We can't guarantee the safety of your community if you let your cutie outside. They are gruesome, after all.)
• We firmly stand against declawing*, defanging, or de-radioactive-drooling of all cuties.

Why are you giving away Cuties for free?

I honestly have ulterior motives, so I'm going to level with you.

1. I get a kick out of seeing my art through the eyes of others -- even more than I enjoy making money on them. I know my art's story, but I think you know it better and I'd love to hear it. If you're an aspiring or established writer or you just like imagining funny scenarios, this creative writing challenge is for you!
2. I want my babies to be in loving homes where they are loved as much as (or more than!) I loved making them.
3. I want to connect with people who enjoy my art!
4. And I want to help each other get our creative works out there collaboratively! I'll post about winning adoption success stories across my social media, and link back to the winners' social media profiles (if they don't want to remain anonymous)!

So yeah. I'm getting a dopamine hit from hearing your stories, and you'll get a free cutie and some shared publicity if you are chosen to adopt one. :)

The Rules

My Gruesome Cuties walk the line between two extremes -- gruesomeness and cuteness -- aiming to provide a humorous contrast in the confusing mixture of the two. Therefore, your submission should also aim to walk the delicate line between those two extremes.

In general:

• A little gruesomeness is okay! Gratuitous violence/gore is not permitted.
• A little mild, humorous innuendo is okay! Outright, overt sexual content is immediately disqualified.
• And cuteness all on its own misses the entire point, lol.

Here's an example.

Length

Your submission should be between 250 and 500 words.

Age restrictions

You must be 18 years old or have parental consent to participate in this contest.

Inappropriate behavior

Submissions or interactions with the adoption process that contain harassment, hate speech, or disruptive behavior will lead to immediate disqualification.

This is a blind judgment.

I will only ask you for your identifying information if you win. I am a profoundly inclusive person, and I do not take ethnicity, race, age, gender, or income into account when I make my adoption selections. However, I reserve the right to choose only the most creative entries for the adoption process. If an appropriately creative submission is not identified within an application cycle, an adoption will not be awarded.

Please don't use AI to write your submissions.

I would prefer you not to use it, and I will use AI-detecting software to filter out non-human entries if necessary. I'm not looking to hear what AI thinks of my art. I want to know the stories YOU imagine when looking at a cutie. Entries must primarily reflect your original creative input and imagination.

How many times can you apply to adopt?

As many times as you want to! However, do not resubmit previously non-selected entries. Only fresh submissions will be accepted, and fresh submissions must adhere to the same guidelines as original entries,

How many times can you be chosen to adopt?

There is one adoption per chosen person per calendar year. Cuties need time to settle into their new homes without competition from other cuties. It can get a little gruesome, if you know what I mean.

How do I know if I was chosen to adopt?

I will get in touch with you within two months of your submission if you are chosen to adopt. Please do not contact me to ask if you were chosen. If you do not hear back within 2 months, you can assume your submission was not selected.

The Application Cycle

I will initially aim to choose one adoptive home per 2 calendar months. However, this cycle is subject to change based on submission volume and the time I have to review applications.

Current adoption cycle:

Active! - Last day to apply is Dec. 31, 2024

Future cycles:

• Jan. 1, 2025 - Feb. 28, 2025
• March 1, 2025 - April 30, 2025
• May 1, 2025 - June 30, 2025

The Adoption Package

Here's what you will receive if your home is selected for adoption:

• 1 Gruesome Cutie (a work of art that is a little uncanny in its potential to be alive)
• An "Adoption success story!" page on my website sharing your story submission
• This page can link back to your social media if desired
• A thank you letter with a hashtag you can use to post about your adoption success story if desired
• Other little surprises, depending on availability

How to Apply to Adopt

Please check out our list of available cuties and fill out the form for the one(s) you want to attempt to adopt.
I look forward to reviewing your adoption applications!

Disclaimers

Availability of Adoptable Gruesome Cuties

The availability of Gruesome Cuties for adoption is subject to change at any time. As these are unique, handcrafted works of art, availability cannot be guaranteed, and specific Cuties may be removed from the adoption process without prior notice if they are purchased. Buyer adoptions are prioritized over contest submissions to ensure the sustainability of the Gruesome Cuties project.

Copyright

Unless transferred explicitly in writing, I retain all copyright and ownership of the original "Gruesome Cutie" artwork.

Licensing of submissions

Your story submission grants me a non-exclusive, royalty-free license to use, modify, and display your story in connection with the Gruesome Cuties adoption project. You also permit me to feature your story in promotional materials beyond the adoption success page (e.g., social media, exhibitions, etc.). You will always be credited if you do not choose to be anonymous.

Disqualification

I reserve the right to disqualify submissions that violate the outlined rules, contain offensive or inappropriate content, use AI to generate the content, or are otherwise deemed unsuitable. Submission of an entry does not guarantee adoption. I reserve the right not to choose an adopter in any given cycle for any reason.

Intellectual property

You are responsible for ensuring that your submission(s) do not infringe on the intellectual property rights of others. Gruesome Cuties/Jenivieve Design is not liable for claims arising from your submitted content.

Revision Policy

I reserve the right to edit submissions for spelling, grammar, and clarity as needed. Submissions may also be shortened or modified for formatting or audience suitability.

Privacy Policy

Your information will only be used for this contest and adoption process. We do not ever share or sell your information.

Anonymity Protection

You can use a pseudonym for your story if you prefer to be an anonymous adopter. If you are chosen, just let me know what identifying information you are comfortable publishing on your success story.

Shipping and Delivery Liability

I will cover shipping costs. However, if you live outside of the United States, you are responsible for all customs fees or delays (this only applies to adopters with non-US delivery addresses).

Damage or Loss

A replacement will not be shipped if your free Gruesome Cutie is damaged or lost in transit.

Dispute Resolution

Any disputes regarding the adoption process will be resolved fairly and at my sole discretion.

Humor Disclaimer

All descriptions are fictional, and Gruesome Cuties are non-functional decorative works of art.

Resemblance Disclaimer

Any resemblance of Gruesome Cuties to persons, living or deceased, or any actual events is purely coincidental. The characters, features, and stories associated with Gruesome Cuties result from creative imagination and are not intended to represent or parody any actual individual, group, or event.

*And on that subject--cats should NEVER be declawed either. It's a cruel upsizing service offered by greedy vets who don't mind chopping off your cat's toes below the first joint. Don't do it.