Pets Add Life Announces Winners of 6th Annual Children's Poetry Contest

American Pet Products Association (APPA) President and CEO, Bob Vetere, is pleased to announce the six winning poems for the Pets Add Life 6th Annual Children's Poetry Contest. Open to students across the nation, the contest encourages children to express the joys and happiness pets bring to their lives.

"It thrills us to see so many children participate and voice how much their pets mean to them and enrich their lives," said Vetere. "We congratulate this year's winners and are already looking forward to the contest's return in September!"

Through APPA's Pets Add Life campaign, students from across the country in grades 3rd through 8th were invited to write unique poems about their pets, sharing what they love about them and the joys they bring to their lives. One student from each grade level (six total) has been selected to win $250 for pet products and a by-line in a publication or online media outlet. Additionally, the six winning students' classrooms will each receive a $1,000 scholarship to spend on pet-related education.

Poems were judged based on voice, creativity and the overall expression of the joys and benefits of pet ownership of animals of all types.

Below are the six winning poems by grade level:

THIRD GRADE WINNER

My Treasure
By: Chaz, of Pine Grove, PA

One day I found a treasure,
it isn't silver or gold.
He's orange and white and very soft,
a kitten I could hold.
I found him underneath a tree,
a tiny ball of fur.
When I bent down and picked him up,
he began to purr.
I took him home and bathed him,
then showed him to my mom.
We became a family
from that day on.
We love each other very much,
he's a real treasure to me.
He is the best friend I could have,
my kitten named "Purrcy."

FOURTH GRADE WINNER

I Love Them All
By: Sophia, of Orefield, PA

I was having a tough year,
Until she magically appeared.

Morgan.

Arriving as if she had heard my cries.
So kind, so gentle, just look into her eyes.

Friendly, loyal, trusting and fun,
the best part is,
our adventures have just begun.

Pets are what I'm talking about.
Cats, gerbils, hamsters and trout.

Guinea pigs, fish, tortoises too,
ferrets, lizards, birds, a wallaroo!

Turtles, snakes, horses, spiders,
frogs, toads, a sugar glider.

I love them all,
and if I had my way,
all these pets would be mine today!

But for now as you can see,
Morgan is the pet for me.

FIFTH GRADE WINNER

Cisco
By: Travis, of Carlsbad, CA

One ear up,
And one ear down.
I always love,
Having you around.

Your are a part of me,
And I am a part of you.
You are the one,
Who keeps me persevering through.

Whenever times are hard,
You always keep me strong.
And ever since I got you,
I knew I wasn't wrong.

I know we're brothers from different mothers,
But my love for you is rife.
A human is just a human,
Until a pet adds life.

SIXTH GRADE WINNER

My Dog Sutton is the Best
By: Rian, of Saratoga Springs, NY

She scampers to the door,
and looks out at the snow.
She wants to see beneath it,
whats buried down
down
low.

I open the door and she runs out,
looking for what is buried down
down
low,
ball, glove, or toy,
she loves it if it's in the falling snow.

She runs inside,
to drink water that drips
drips
splashes
splashes

On her doggy lips.

Then she lays down to sleep;
fur everywhere.
On cushions, tile,
and inside all the curtain tears!

Her eyes close,
"Sleep well" I whisper to my pet.
Sutton is the best dog yet!

SEVENTH GRADE WINNER

A Friend at the End of the Leash
By: Kelly, of Wildwood, MO

I was at the pound to find a new friend
A dog that would love me until the end.

I saw a dog, tiny and white
Now I believe in love at first sight.

As I walked over, he wagged his tail
Faster and faster, like wind in a sail.

As I bent down to pet that ball of fluff
He covered me with kisses until I said "Enough!"

Now I don't have to look far to find a friend
He's been at the end of my leash ever since then.

EIGHTH GRADE WINNER

Otter
By: Seth, of Seymour, WI

Little Otter is a corgi
He's really quite unique
He enjoys it when you pet him
And licks you on the cheek

He's got a friend named Sharkey
It is his favorite toy
He sees him, and seems to say
"Oh boy, oh boy, oh boy"

He's an odd little fellow
He sleeps belly up, legs to the sky
His great personality
Will have you laughing until you cry

He's a good dog, a great friend
If you knew him, you'd be impressed
He loves me and I love him
Otter is just simply the best

Founded by the American Pet Products Association (APPA), PAL is a nonprofit campaign dedicated to sharing information about how pet ownership benefits animals and people alike. PAL's mission is to increase awareness of the bonds and other rewards associated with pets of all types. Primarily through social media with YouTube Videos, an active Facebook campaign, celebrity endorsements and contests, PAL spreads the joys of pets, encourages pet adoption and promotes responsible pet ownership.

To learn more about the nonprofit campaign or the Pets Add Life 6th Annual Children's Poetry Contest, visit http://www.petsaddlife.org, http://www.facebook.com/petsaddlife or contact Brooke Gersich at 775.322.4022 or Brooke(at)theimpetusagency(dot)com.

The American Pet Products Association (APPA) is the leading not-for-profit trade association serving the interests of the pet products industry since 1958. APPA membership includes more than 1,000 pet product manufacturers, their representatives, importers and livestock suppliers representing both large corporations and growing business enterprises. APPA's mission is to promote, develop and advance pet ownership and the pet product industry and to provide the services necessary to help its members prosper. Visit http://www.americanpetproducts.org for more information.