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Kids Recognized as Role Models of Kindness to Animals

DENVER, May 6 /PRNewswire/ -- Six outstanding youths have been recognized by the American Humane Association during Be Kind to Animals Week(R) for their dedication to and compassion for animals. The winners and runners-up are divided into two age categories, 6-12 and 13-17. Two grand prize winners will receive $2,000 each and prize packages. Each of the four runners-up will receive $750 and prize packages. And the winners are:

Grand Prize Winner - 6-12 Age Group

Eight-year-old Ian Cahr of Chicago is in business to help shelter dogs, most specifically, the dogs at New Leash on Life (NLOL) in Chicago. Ian, son of Jill Cahr, runs Ian's Bead Company (http://www.iansbeadcompany.com) and sells his beaded jewelry at trunk shows hosted by Chicago businesses. He and his "employees" have raised over $10,000 for NLOL and helped save more than 280 dogs. Ian plans to divide his prize money four ways. Three portions will go to three shelters: Chicago Animal Care and Control, Small Dog Rescue in Plantation, Fla., and New Leash on Life. He will save the last of the funds and "maybe buy a video game."

Grand Prize Winner - 13-17 Age Group

What started as a Girl Scout project for 17-year-old Kristen Uyeoka, of Aiea, Hawaii, became a personal mission. Kristen, daughter of Lori Uyeoka, began by volunteering at the Hawaiian Humane Society. She felt the shelter's mission of promoting the bond between humans and animals and the humane treatment of all animals aligned with her own values and spent a year working to create interactive lesson plans that teach preschool children the importance of responsible pet ownership and compassion for all animals.

Runners-up - 6-12 Age Group

Mary Lace, 12, of Wayne, Ill., has spent most of her time away from school promoting the human-animal bond by bringing adoptable animals from
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