Third annual "Keep your cat indoors" poster contest commences
(2005-01-25)

Every year, domestic cats that are allowed to roam by their owners kill
millions of birds and small mammals. Every year, the lives of these same
free-ranging cats are cut short when they are run over by cars, attacked by
other animals, contract diseases and parasites or are shot or poisoned.
The American Bird Conservancy's national "Keep your cat indoors" campaign
aims to educate cat owners that both cats and wildlife benefit when cats are
kept indoors. The focus of the effort is at its greatest in the spring, when
nesting birds, eggs and hatchlings are most vulnerable. It's also a time
when many pet owners let their cats wander outdoors.
Minnesota has become one of the first and leading states in spreading the
word about the wisdom of keeping cats inside. This year, the Cats Indoors!
Minnesota project is sponsoring its third annual "Keep your cat indoors"
poster contest for kids 6-12 years of age.
Prizes include bird/wildlife books, plush birds that sing, Minnesota
Ornithologists' Union regional bird checklists, bookmarks and more. The
three state winners will also receive Nikon binoculars.
Regional and state winners will be announced on April 22, Earth Day. There
will be four winners in each age group for a total of 12 winners in each of
the four regions of the state. Three state winners will be chosen from the
48 regional winning entries.
Winning Minnesota posters from last year's contest and "downloadable" 2005
contest guidelines are posted on the DNR Web site at
www.dnr.state.mn.us
Guidelines may also be obtained at regional DNR Nongame Wildlife offices.
Background information about keeping cats indoors may be found at the
American Bird Conservancy Web site at
abcbirds.org/cats.
All decisions are final, poster entries cannot be returned and the Cats
Indoors! Minnesota Project may use the winning posters in publicity as it
chooses. Some winning posters will be sent to the American Bird Conservancy
in Washington, D.C., where they will compete for the national honors.
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