National Geographic Kids magazine is celebrating its special pet issue by searching for "America's Most Amazing Pet." The three-month-long contest kicks off in the March issue of the magazine, on newsstands now. Kids throughout the United States are invited to participate by submitting a one-minute video, color photograph or comic creation and a 50- to 100-word story explaining why their pet should be named "America's Most Amazing Pet." A panel of experts will select 10 finalists, and an online vote will decide the grand-prize winner.
The contest is sponsored by Planetwide Media's Comic Book Creator software and SeaWorld and Busch Gardens. The grand prize is a trip to any SeaWorld or Busch Gardens adventure park in the country for the family of America's most amazing pet - and the pet is invited too. For more information visit http://kids.nationalgeographic.com/contests/mostamazingpet.
Teaming with SeaWorld, Busch Gardens and Planetwide Media on this contest, National Geographic Kids hopes to encourage people interested in acquiring animals as pets to do so responsibly. Pets can be a great source of fun and friendship, but some animals don't make great pets and those that do require long-term care and attention. The contest organizers also want to encourage families to adopt pets from their local shelters.
"In every issue we feature amazing animals, but none are more special than the members of our own family," said Melina Bellows, editor in chief of National Geographic Kids. "Celebrating the animals in our lives makes this contest so much fun."
"Caring for a pet is among the greatest ways people of all ages can connect with animals," said Julie Scardina, SeaWorld and Busch Gardens animal ambassador. "At our parks, people can have up-close experiences with a diversity of exotic species, from killer whales to gorillas. But our popular ‘pets' shows feature domestic animals adopted from shelters - a message we hope inspires our guests to consider when choosing a pet."
Participants can download a trial version of National Geographic Kids Silly Pets Comic Book Creator software to create personalized stories and photo comics starring their own pets. Additionally, family members can create their own personal documented stories based on their real-life experiences with their pets in the form of a scrapbook or comic book. National Geographic Comic Book Creator features more than 100 unique layout and design templates, nearly 50 types of text balloons, caption boxes, background images, photos and clipart providing users with nearly endless options in creating their own photo comics of their pets.
"Planetwide Media, through our Comic Book Creator brand, is proud to be the title sponsor of the ‘America's Most Amazing Pet' contest," said Kevin Donovan, president of Planetwide Media. "National Geographic supports education, scientific research and animal issues throughout all of its publications. The contest is a great way for America's kids to create and share their favorite pet stories with the world."