Last summer, the American Society for Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (ASPCA) invited the public to nominate extraordinary pets and people for its 2006 ASPCA Humane Awards Program.
The organization ultimately received nearly 600 nominations, which a panel of judges eventually narrowed down to a few in six categories. This year’s Cat of the Year finalists were recently named. They are:
• Junior from Oregonia, Ohio, who alerts his owner whenever her son, who has nighttime seizures, is in medical trouble.
• Laser, a rescued Siamese and certified Delta Society pet partner, who visits children, seniors and teens in psychiatric hospitals.
• Gracie, a blue and cream Calico, who participates in humane education presentations at local schools.
The winner will be announced prior to an awards luncheon in New York City on Thurs., Nov. 2.
To read about the nominees in the five other categories, including the dog of the year and horse of the year candidates, visit the
ASPCA website.