Palo Alto Humane Society Launches Story Writing Contest

PALO ALTO, CA — The Palo Alto Humane Society’s annual Ambassadors of Compassion Story Writing Contest is underway, with a deadline of May 31.

Seventh and eighth grade students in Santa Clara and San Mateo counties are eligible to participate by submitting an original piece of fiction or nonfiction of between 800 and 1,000 words, based on a theme of animals and people helping each other.

The winner will receive $500 and have their story published by PAHS, along with headlining the organization’s Creating Compassionate Communities campaign. Two runner-ups will also receive $200 each.

This is the contest’s third year, and PAHS Executive Director Carole Hyde said in a news release that this year’s theme is centered around the companionship and therapy that animals can offer people.

“We think that the acts of researching and writing that will be involved in creating stories will help students develop an awareness in animal welfare and they will become ambassadors of compassion and agents of change,” Hyde said. “Through the act of writing, the students will help create a framework for a future society that is ethical towards animals.”

Click here for more information on the contest and past winners.