American Humane Seeks Nominations for Be Kind to Animals™ Kid Contest

Contest a Highlight of Be Kind to Animals Week®, May 3-9, 2009

Denver (February 5, 2009)

The American Humane Association is gearing up to celebrate Be Kind to Animals Week®, which will take place May 3-9, 2009. The Be Kind to Animals initiative began in 1915 to recognize and promote compassion, empathy and the bond between people and animals.

The 95th annual observance of the oldest animal-related event in the nation celebrates the companionship, friendship and love that animals bring into people’s lives. A highlight of the event is American Humane’s Be Kind to Animals™ Kid Contest, which recognizes humane leaders of tomorrow by honoring kids who make a difference for animals today.

American Humane is seeking nominations of kids, ages 6 to 17, who are working hard in their communities to improve the welfare of animals. The 2009 winners will be announced during Be Kind to Animals Week®.

During the first week of May and always, American Humane urges people to volunteer at local animal shelters or support those facilities financially. Even simple things like helping conserve community wildlife areas or visiting dog parks with their favorite four-legged friends can make a difference. The event fosters humane principles by encouraging adults and children to maintain compassionate attitudes toward animals.

Anyone nominating a young person for the Be Kind to Animals™ Kid Contest must be 18 or older and the child’s legal guardian or have written permission from the child’s guardian. No purchase is necessary. Contest rules and nomination forms can be found at www.americanhumane.org/bkaw. Nominations must either be submitted online or mailed and postmarked between March 1, 2009 and April 15, 2009. Nominees must be between the ages of 6 and 17 at the time of nomination and will be divided into two age groups: 6 to 12 and 13 to 17. One Grand Prize winner and two runners-up will be selected from each group. Grand Prize winners will each receive $1,000. All winners and runners-up will be featured in American Humane press materials and on American Humane’s website. Winners will be announced during Be Kind to Animals Week®, May 3-9, 2009. For more ideas about celebrating Be Kind to Animals Week® and for the complete contest rules, visit www.americanhumane.org/bkaw.

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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