Congratulations to Winners of Mutt-i-grees "America Adopts" PSA Contest

Via PRNewswire - This year, schools participated in a nationwide animal life-saving competition by submitting public service announcements to the second 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 on December 17 in New York City.

Regional winners also each received a $1,500 educational grant. 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 through Wednesday, January 16. To view the competing videos, cast a vote, or view the Grand Prize and Regional Prize winners, visit www.animalleague.org or http://education.muttigrees.org/.