Congratulations To The Winning Students And Schools Of The 2012 Mutt-i-grees® "America Adopts" PSA Contest

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Jan 02, 2013, 11:36 ET

Remaining Schools Participating In National Campaign To Save Animals' Lives Are Given Second Chance

PORT WASHINGTON, N.Y., Jan. 2, 2013 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- This year, schools participated in a nationwide animal life-saving competition by submitting PSAs (public service announcements) to the 2^nd Annual Mutt-i-grees® "America Adopts" PSA Contest. The Grand Prize went to Carrie Palmer Weber Middle School in Port Washington, NY. As Grand Prize Winners, the school has received a $10,000 educational grant for their PSA "Everybody Needs a Friend." The check was presented to school representatives by World-Renowned Dog Behavior Specialist Cesar Millan at North Shore Animal League America's DogCatemy, Mutt-i-grees Rescue Awards Gala on December 17, 2012, in New York City.

(Photo: http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20130102/DC35658)

(Logo: http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20110111/DC27967LOGO)

Regional winners also each received a $1,500 educational grant at NSALA's annual Rescue Awards. Those schools included South Side Junior High School in Bee Branch, AR; Fenton Avenue Charter School in Lake View Terrace, CA; and, Little Blue Elementary School in Independence, MO.

The PSA Contest is a nationwide initiative to raise awareness of the availability and desirability of shelter pets, otherwise known as Mutt-i-grees. Students from across the country submitted creative PSAs encouraging Americans to adopt from their local shelter or rescue group. The contest reflects the essence of the Mutt-i-grees Curriculum, a unique approach to teaching children social, emotional and instinctual skills as well as highlighting the individual characteristics and needs of Mutt-i-grees. The Curriculum was developed by Yale University School of the 21st Century in collaboration with North Shore Animal League America, and funded by the Cesar Millan Foundation.

While the top winners have been announced, there is still time for schools that entered the contest to have a "Second Chance." Just as every Mutt-i-gree deserves a second chance at a happy, new life, thanks to the Mutt-i-grees "America Adopts" Second Chance PSA Contest, every school that submitted a public service announcement to this year's contest also has a second chance at winning! The top three will be chosen by popular vote, with the video that gets the most plays winning a $1,500 grant for the school of the students who produced it. Second and third-place prizes will be $1,000 and $500, respectively.

Everyone is encouraged to help their favorite school win the Mutt-i-grees "America Adopts" Second Chance PSA Contest by voting, which begins Wednesday, January 2 through Wednesday, January 16, 2013. To view the competing videos and/or to cast a vote, or to view the Grand Prize and Regional Prize Winners visit www.animalleague.org or http://education.muttigrees.org/.

ABOUT THE MUTT-I-GREES CURRICULUM
The Mutt-i-grees Curriculum is an innovative program that builds on the affinity between children and animals, providing a unique context to teach compassion, empathy and social responsibility. Developed by Yale University School of the 21st Century in collaboration with North Shore Animal League America, and funded by the Cesar Millan Foundation, the Curriculum highlights the unique characteristics and desirability of shelter dogs, known as Mutt-i-grees. http://education.muttigrees.org/.

ABOUT NORTH SHORE ANIMAL LEAGUE AMERICA
The Animal League has saved more than 1,000,000 lives. As the world's largest no-kill rescue and adoption organization, we understand that a rescue isn't complete until each animal is placed into a loving home. Our innovative programs provide education to reduce animal cruelty, and advance standards in animal welfare. Our staff and volunteers work tirelessly in the pursuit of our vision of a world where all companion animals find permanent homes to end euthanasia. For more information, visit www.animalleague.org.

ABOUT THE CESAR MILLAN FOUNDATION
Animal activist and world-renowned dog behaviorist Cesar Millan officially established the Cesar Millan Foundation with the mission to create and deliver community humane education programs and promote animal welfare. Since its inception in 2007, the Cesar Millan Foundation has provided grants and materials to hundreds of non-profit animal organizations to support the rescue, rehabilitation, and rehoming of abused and abandoned dogs, donated emergency assistance through the Daddy's Emergency Animal Rescue (DEAR) Fund, and contributed critical funding and professional insight to develop The Mutt-i-grees Curriculum with The Pet Savers Foundation, in collaboration with the Yale University School of the 21st Century. For more information visit www.millanfoundation.org.

Media Contact:
Devera Lynn
516.474.5332
[email protected]

SOURCE North Shore Animal League America