MEDIA CONTACT:
Ria Brown, Public Information Specialist Lee County Animal Services
                  (239) 432-2090 Ext. 241

 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Be Kind to Animals Kid Contest Lee County Animal Services
Sponsors Local and National Contest for Kind Kids!

Fort Myers, Florida, February 26, 2003—Do you know a kind kid who does exceptional things for animals?  Nominate him or her for the Lee County Animal Services’ local Be Kind to Animals Kid Contest and The American Humane Association’s national Be Kind to Animals Kid Contest, an annual competition that honors young people who truly make a difference in the lives of animals.

 “As a part of our education program, it is important for us to recognize the leaders of tomorrow by honoring kids who make a difference today,” says Ria Brown, Public Information Specialist for Lee County Animal Services.  “We are very proud of our local kids who are setting an example for others to emulate,” she adds.

 The contest is open to kids ages six to 13 and will be divided into two age groups.  The nominees must have performed an extraordinary act(s) of kindness for the benefit of animals between May 1, 2002, and April 1, 2003.  All nominations must be postmarked no later than April 1, 2003.

 Winners and runners-up from each age group for this year’s Lee County contest will be announced during Lee County Animal Services’ Spring Adoptathon and Pet Fair on May 3, 2003.  National contest winners will be announced during Be Kind to Animals Week, May 4 to 10, 2003.  National grand-prize winners will receive a $5,000 college scholarship and a fantastic prize package.  Lee County’s local winners will receive a fun prize package for kids and pets that includes pet care books, gift certificates for pet products and activities for kids, and Microchip IDs for their pets.  The winners’ schools also will receive pet care books for their library.

 The American Humane Association created Be Kind to Animals Week in 1915 as a major initiative to promote humane education in the United States.  Teaching humane values remains the focus of Be Kind to Animals Week activities, by offering both kids and adults opportunities to learn and develop compassionate attitudes toward animals in our world.

 For complete contest rules, additional information about the local or national Be Kind to Animals Kid Contests, and to obtain a nomination form call Lee County Animal Services’ Education Department at (239) 432-2090 ext. 241 or visit Lee County Animal Services’ website at www.LeeLostPets.com.