American Humane Seeking Kindest Kids for National Contest During Be Kind to Animals Week®

Top Kids Awarded $1,000 - Entry Deadline April 15, 2009

Denver (March 25, 2009)

The American Humane Association has celebrated Be Kind to Animals Week® since 1915, and the highlight of the event is the search for the nation’s kindest kids. As part of its Be Kind to Animals® Kind Kid Contest, American Humane will honor kids who show compassion and humane values to animals in their communities.

Nominations for two age groups, 6-12 years old and 13-17 years old, will be accepted through April 15, 2009. Winners, including two grand prize winners of $1,000 each, will be announced during Be Kind to Animals Week, May 3-9, 2009. Nomination rules and forms are available at www.americanhumane.org/bkaw.

Ian Cahr, son of Darren and Jill Cahr, from Chicago, was awarded one of last year’s prizes for his self-started jewelry-making business, which benefits the animal shelters and rescues in his area. Amazingly, since taking home the prize last year, Ian has become more dedicated than ever, raising over $17,000 in addition to the $12,000 he raised previously. Ian’s actions and the actions of every young humanitarian clearly demonstrate the power of the human-animal bond and the importance of animals in our lives.

Want to make a difference?
Here are ideas for celebrating the human-animal bond – both during Be Kind to Animals Week and throughout the entire year:

Speak out for animals. Get active in local animal welfare policies and legislation. Also register on American Humane’s website at www.americanhumane.org to receive timely Action Alerts about issues affecting animals. You’ll be able to make a difference for animals with just the click of your mouse.
Report animal abuse. While acts of violence against animals are tragic in their own right, they are also a red flag for other violent behavior, including domestic abuse and violent crime.
Educate yourself about The Link® between cruelty to animals and cruelty to humans to help stop the cycle of violence. When animals in a home are abused or neglected, it is a warning sign that others in the household may not be safe, and children who witness animal abuse are at a greater risk of becoming abusers themselves.
Appreciate wildlife. Leave room in your yard for habitats like a pond for fish or a bird house.
Share kindness. Teach the people in your life – especially children – about the importance of being kind to animals.
Make a donation to your local animal shelter. A donation can be any number of contributions, from your time or money, to needed items like pet food or laundry detergent.
Adopt a pet from a shelter or breed-rescue group. Local shelters are the best place to find companion animals – no matter what type you’re looking for. Keep in mind that one out of every four dogs in shelters is a purebred.
Help solve the tragedy of euthanasia of adoptable animals by not contributing to the problem. If you have pets, make sure to have them spayed or neutered and identify your pets with tags or microchips so they can be returned home quickly.

About American Humane

Founded in 1877, the American Humane Association is the only national organization dedicated to protecting both children and animals. Through a network of child and animal protection agencies and individuals, American Humane develops policies, legislation, curricula and training programs to protect children and animals from abuse, neglect and exploitation. The nonprofit organization, headquartered in Denver, raises awareness about The Link® between violence to people and violence to animals, as well as the benefits derived from the human-animal bond. American Humane’s regional office in Los Angeles is the exclusive authority behind the “No Animals Were Harmed”® end-credit disclaimer on film and TV productions, and American Humane’s office in Washington, D.C., is an advocate for child and animal protection at the federal and state levels. The American Humane® Certified™ farm animal program is the nation’s original independent certification and labeling program for humanely raised food (www.thehumanetouch.org). American Humane meets the strong, comprehensive standards of the Better Business Bureau’s Wise Giving Alliance, has been awarded the Independent Charities of America’s “Best in America” Seal of Approval, has met the stringent standards for financial efficiency and accountability required by the American Institute of Philanthropy to qualify as a Top-Rated Charity, and has received a 3-star rating from Charity Navigator, America’s premier independent charity evaluator. Visit www.americanhumane.org to learn more.

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