Posted: June 6, 2008, 5 a.m. EDT
Do you know a dog who displayed an act of heroism this past year? Does your neighbor go above and beyond to help pets in your community? The ASPCA wants to hear about it. The organization is seeking nominations for its annual Humane Awards program from now until July 15.
“The ASPCA Humane Awards is our way of recognizing the important role animals play in our lives, the significance of the human-animal bond, and the people who make animal welfare a central part of their lives,” said Ed Sayres, ASPCA president and CEO.
The organization seeks nominations of people who have worked on behalf of animal welfare, and animals who have engaged in acts of heroism in the United States in the past year. Last year, the winners included a cat who meowed to save her family from carbon monoxide poisoning; a Golden Retriever who saved his choking owner; and a pre-teen who works to save homeless horses.
Categories for nomination include:
- ASPCA Dog of the Year, for a dog who has performed a heroic act in the past year.
- ASPCA Cat of the Year, for a cat who has performed a heroic act in the past year.
- ASPCA Kid of the Year, for a child aged 14 or under who has rescued an animal or helps make the world a kinder place for animals.
- ASPCA Law Enforcement Officer of the Year, for a member of the municipal police force or other public service officer who has made a heroic effort to save an animal in the past year.
- ASPCA Firefighter of the Year, for a municipal firefighter who has made a heroic effort to save an animal in the past year.
The ASPCA also will accept nominations that do not fit into any of the above categories. Nominations will be accepted at the ASPCA website (www.aspca.org/nominate) until July 15. Winners will be announced in October.