ASPCA Seeks Nominations for Dog, Cat and Kid of the Year

NEW YORK—The ASPCA® (The American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals®) today announced that it is accepting nominations for the 2015 ASPCA Humane Awards and invites the public to contribute submissions. The Humane Awards honor animal heroes as well as individuals who have made a significant impact on the lives of animals during the year. The ASPCA is accepting nominations via its website at www.aspca.org/halnominations.

“The ASPCA Humane Awards celebrates the unique bond between people and pets by honoring individuals committed to the protection of animals, as well as dogs and cats whose experiences represent the urgency behind our mission,” said ASPCA President & CEO Matt Bershadker. “We’re looking for stories that deserve attention and can inspire people across the country to be a voice for animals in crisis.”

Last year’s winners include a dog rescued in the 2007 Bad Newz Kennels dog fighting investigation who went on to become a therapy dog for terminally-ill children; a formerly sick and emaciated cat found on the side of the road who now offers comfort to psychiatric patients in a Washington state hospital; a selfless 11-year-old girl who used her one wish to help animals while battling a cancerous brain tumor; a U.S. Congressman who was one of Capitol Hill’s strongest voices for animal welfare throughout his twelve terms; a police department that entered into a ground-breaking partnership to enforce anti-cruelty laws in the largest city in America; and a woman dedicated to keeping vulnerable pets with their owners by providing them with life-saving resources and services.

ASPCA Humane Awards winners will be invited to attend the ASPCA Humane Awards Luncheon—sponsored by the Hartville Group Inc., provider of ASPCA Pet Health Insurance—on Thursday, November 12, at Cipriani 42^nd Street, 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 improved the lives of animals
• ASPCA Public Service Award: For a public service officer or official who has made a heroic effort to save an animal in the past year, or has demonstrated a commitment to animal welfare throughout his or her career.

All submissions must include the nominee’s name, street address, email address, telephone number, the category for which he/she is being nominated, and a short statement (400 words or less) of why this person or animal deserves the award. 

The deadline for entries is Friday, July 3, 2015. 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/HAL.