Get Out a Different Vote: Let?s Hear it for Heroic Pets and People!

New York (Vocus) February 18, 2008 -- As citizens across the country make their way to the polls during the 2008 Presidential primaries, the ASPCA® (The American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals®) is asking the public to cast one more ballot.

As it does every year, the organization is seeking public nominations of extraordinary pets and people for its annual Humane Awards program. If you know a fabulous feline or precocious pooch with a knack for saving lives, or a heroic human being who has improved the lives of animals, the ASPCA wants to hear from you. Nominations will be accepted beginning April 1 at www.aspca.org/nominate.

Last year?s winners included a first-aid wunderkind and golden retriever who performed a modified Heimlich maneuver on his choking owner; a petite kitty with a loud voice who saved her family from dying of carbon monoxide poisoning; and a selfless pre-teen who works tirelessly on behalf of homeless horses.

?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 ASPCA President & CEO Ed Sayres.

Those who may be considered for this distinguished honor include humans who have worked on behalf of animal welfare and animals who have engaged in acts of heroism in the United States during the past year. Winners will be invited to attend the Humane Awards Luncheon on Thursday, October 30, at the historic Rainbow Room in New York City, where the awards will be presented.

Categories open 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; and

?    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 will begin accepting nominations via its Web site on April 1 at www.aspca.org/nominate. All submissions must include the following: the nominee?s name, street address, email address, and telephone number; the category for which he/she is being nominated; and a short statement (400 words or less) of why this person or pet deserves the award.

The deadline for entries is Tuesday, July 15, at 12 PM (EST). Winners will be chosen by a committee selected by the ASPCA, and announced to the public in mid-October. For more information, please visit www.aspca.org/nominate.

About the ASPCA®

Founded in 1866, the ASPCA® (The American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals®) was the first humane organization established in the Americas, and today has more than one million supporters throughout North America. A 501 [c [3 not-for-profit corporation, the ASPCA?s mission is to provide effective means for the prevention of cruelty to animals throughout the United States. The ASPCA provides local and national leadership in animal-assisted therapy, animal behavior, animal poison control, anti-cruelty, humane education, legislative services, and shelter outreach. The New York City headquarters houses a full-service, accredited, animal hospital, adoption center, and mobile clinic outreach program. The Humane Law Enforcement department enforces New York?s animal cruelty laws and is featured on the reality television series ?Animal Precinct? on Animal Planet. For more information, please visit www.aspca.org.

Media Contact:             

Marie-Adele Moniot            

(212) 876-7700 ext. 4572

marieadelem(at)aspca.org

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