Nominate Heroic Pets and People for the Humane Awards

Nominations are officially open for the ASPCA's 2010 Humane Awards! If you know a fearless feline or courageous canine with a knack for saving lives, or a heroic person who has improved the lives of animals, we want to hear from you. Submitting a nomination is easy-just follow the instructions at http://www.aspca.org/hal/humane-award-nominations.

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. Categories open for nomination are:

• 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 the age of 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 servant who has made a heroic effort to save an animal in the past year
• Other Nominations: any other nomination that does not fit into the above categories

Last year's honorees included a 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 oxygen masks for fire departments; firefighters who rescued a pooch who fell into a frozen lake; and officials from the Humane Society of Missouri and undercover agents who worked tirelessly in the largest dog fighting raid in U.S. history.

Winners will be feted this fall at the Humane Awards Luncheon in New York City. The deadline for entries is Wednesday, June 30. For more information, please visit ASPCA.org/nominate.