NCRAOA announces the first “Joy of Pet Ownership” Contest. It is up to us, as animal owners, to not only learn all we can about the needs and requirements of the species we choose to keep, but to maintain them in a way that is not detrimental to their well-being. In turn, our lives are richer for the years spent with our pets.

Is your dog an athlete or a working dog and partner? Is your cat an acrobat? Are you mesmerized and calmed after a hard day at work by the fish swimming in your aquarium? Share the joy of pet ownership with us. To enter the contest send either a video or a still picture with essay to ncraoa@yahoo.com CONTEST CLOSES April 2, 2012. VIDEO must be a maximum of 2 minutes in length. ESSAY must be 500 words or less. CATEGORIES: Cats, Dogs, Horses, Other Not restricted to NC residents

PRIZES: First Place Prize for each category of $150 Gift Certificate from Amazon