Posted: February 23, 2010, 3 a.m. EST
Nora, the piano-playing cat, won the ASPCA Cat of the Year award in 2009. |
The American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals has begun accepting nominations for its annual
Humane Awards. The organization is seeking pets with a knack for saving lives or other amazing talents and people who have improved the lives of animals.
Last year's winners include Nora, the piano-playing shelter cat; a Labrador retriever who served as an assistance dog to an injured veteran; an 11-year-old girl who launched a website to purchase pet masks for fire departments; firefighters who rescued a dog that fell into a frozen lake; and officials of the Humane Society of Missouri and undercover agents who worked tirelessly toward the largest dog fighting raid in United States history.
"The ASPCA Humane Awards are our way of honoring those who have gone beyond the call of duty for animal welfare and celebrating the important role animals play in our lives," said ASPCA president and CEO Ed Sayres.
Those who may be considered for this distinguished honor include people 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, sponsored by the Hartville Group, on Nov. 11, at the Pierre Hotel 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 "Tommy P. Monahan" Kid of the Year: for a child under 14 who has helped make the world a better place for animals
- ASPCA Public Service Award: for a member of the municipal police force, a firefighter, or other public service officer who has made a heroic effort to save an animal in the past year
- Other nominations: any other nomination that does not fit into any of the above categories.
All submissions must include the following: the nominee's name, street address, e-mail address; telephone number; the category for which he/she is being nominated; and a statement of 400 words or less about why this person or pet deserves the award.
The deadline for entries is June 30. Winners will be chosen by a committee selected by the ASPCA and announced in October.