Media Advisory

Mayor to Present Awards for 1^st Annual HRM Pet Contest!

(Wednesday, July 4/2001) - The awards ceremony for the first annual Pitter Patter Paws Pet Contest will be held tomorrow (July 5^th), beginning at 1:00 p.m, at the Grand Parade, City Hall.

Mayor Peter Kelly will present awards to the nine prize recipients and their winning dogs. The Pet Contest Committee panel of judges will be on hand to show their support and answer questions from citizens regarding proper care of animals.

The Pitter Patter Paws Pet Contest was launched on May 1^st to provide an opportunity for HRM dog owners to be creative and show off their dogs. Participants were encouraged to submit personal photographs, short stories, poems or artistic renderings of their dogs for a chance to win cash prizes. The response was tremendous.

Cathie Osborne, Team Leader, Revenue, said "We look forward to sharing in the fun with the community while, at the same time, promoting responsible pet ownership. Since the inception of the Pitter Patter Paws program in May 2000, HRM has experienced an increase in dog registrations. We hope to see it continue as we strive to take a more pro-active approach to registration compliance."

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John O'Brien
Corporate Communications Officer
(902)490-6531