Maryland Girl Named Be Kind to Animals Kid 2001

American Humane Association
Thursday, 3 May 2001

A Maryland girl who has collected nearly $3,000 toward her goal of providing bulletproof vests for all the police dogs in Maryland has been named by the American Humane Association (AHA) as this year's national winner of the Be Kind to Animals (BKA) Kid Contest.

Considered the highlight of AHA's Be Kind to Animals Week (May 6-12) festivities, the national BKA Kid Contest honors young people who are making a difference in the lives of animals. This year's national winner, 12-year-old Shannon Watt, launched a community service campaign called "Vest a K-9" to outfit police dogs with bulletproof vests.

"We were very impressed with this project," says AHA's Vice President of Animal Services, Dr. Lynn Anderson. "It demonstrates how a concern for animals can lead to a positive action that truly makes a difference in the lives of animals."

While police dogs face the same threats as police officers in the field, funding for canine bulletproof vests is not usually part of a police force budget. Upon hearing stories about how police dogs are killed while working, Shannon was motivated to take action to protect these animals.

"Every dog deserves to be protected," says Shannon. "The police dogs help protect us and they should have protection too."

So far, the sixth-grader had devoted more than 50 hours to this project and vows to continue until all of the state's police dogs are properly vested. Shannon has organized a car wash, placed donation cans in veterinary offices, approached corporate sponsors, and painted faces to raise the $484.75 needed per vest. In just one day, Shannon collected $414, while selling donuts and asking for donations in front of a WalMart store. A newspaper article on her efforts got the attention of the Snyder Foundation for Animals, who nominated Shannon for the BKA Kid contest.

"We think that her selfless work to make life safer for these dogs demonstrates an extraordinary act of kindness and caring for animals," says Lora Junkin, Executive Director for the Snyder Foundation for Animals.

Already, Shannon has been instrumental in getting five police dogs in the state properly outfitted, and another donation just this week insures that a sixth dog will be vested soon. According to Westminster police Major Dean Brewer, her efforts will definitely protect the lives of their canine officers.

Changing the world at any age is tough, but youngsters like Shannon prove it's possible to make a difference at a young age. Each year, AHA receives hundreds of nominations for the BKA Kid contest, which is open to young people ages six to 13, that demonstrate a commitment and passion for helping animals.

National BKA Kid Contest Runners-Up

In addition to a national winner, AHA also selects three runners-up. Here is a brief look at how those kids are making a difference in their communities.

Erica Bellini, 11, Lake Grove, New York: Touting the line "It's cool to care" on her volunteer business card, Erica Bellini seems to have launched her career in humane work at the tender age of 11. An animal advocate since age seven, Erica collects recyclable cans every week to redeem them for cash. She uses the money to buy pet food, toys, and other supplies for the local animal shelter pets. Visiting the shelter three times a week, Erica also brings towels, blankets, and other supplies donated by friends and neighbors. She also has made posters featuring adoptable pets and created a booklet and brochure to promote adopting pets from animal shelters.

Adam Kenneson, 10, Presque Isle, Maine: Whether it's mopping floors, cleaning cages, or simply spending quality time with the shelter's pets, Adam Kenneson will do just about anything to help the unwanted animals in his hometown. For more than two years, Adam has volunteered his time after school, on Saturdays, and during school vacations to help the Central Aroostock Humane Society in Presque Isle, Maine, care for the community's unwanted pets. He has made signs and posters on his computer to spread the word about the shelter's adoptable pets. And, he is an active fundraiser collecting more than $129 for the shelter during a recent Walk-a-thon.

Katie Hicks, 12, Albuquerque, New Mexico: Imagine getting up in the middle of the night for a glass of water and tripping over your child sleeping on the kitchen floor. That has happened many a night in the Hicks home, since Katie Hicks became a foster parent for some of the community's homeless pets three years ago. Fostering dogs and puppies for the People's Anti-Cruelty Association of New Mexico, Katie insists on sleeping with her charges, who are often kept in the kitchen, when they seem stressed or unhappy. Considered the "number one volunteer" at the animal shelter, Katie helps socialize and train the pets to make them more adoptable. She spends her Saturdays at shelter adoption clinics and fundraisers showing off the foster pets and providing information that helps adoption counselors make good adoption matches.

Be Kind to Animals Week is possible this year thanks to a generous sponsorship from SIERRAÒ, The Safer Antifreeze. SIERRA is the originator and market leader in the safer propylene glycol (PG) based antifreeze category. PG-based antifreeze provides an added margin of safety for pets, children and wildlife, compared to conventional ethylene glycol (EG) based antifreeze, if accidentally ingested. Animals can accidentally drink antifreeze from leaking radiators, boil-overs, and improperly stored containers of used antifreeze.

National BKA Kid Prizes

Prizes for AHA's BKA winner include a $10,000 scholarship and a great prize package. Prizes for the runners-up include a $100 gift certificate from PETsMART.com; an assortment of books from Random House Children's Books; a supply of SIERRA, the safer antifreeze for the family vehicles; t-shirts and bumper stickers from the Random Acts of Kindness Foundation; and special BKA merchandise. For more information on the BKA Kid Contest, Be Kind to Animals Week, or the American Humane Association, call 800-227-4645.

For more information, or to contact American Humane Association, see their website at: www.americanhumane.org