DuPage County kids know how to treat a critter right.
Emily Anne Hendricks, 8, of Wheaton shows respect for living creatures by putting wayward worms out of harm’s way. Zachary Badsing, 8, of Lombard brings up the subject of animal welfare whenever possible in classroom discussions. Caroline Greco, 11, of Wheaton dislodged a ham bone caught in her dog’s throat.
The three youngsters were among eight contenders in a recent DuPage County Animal Control competition to select DuPage County’s 1998 Be Kind to Animals Kid. The annual contest was held in conjunction with the American Humane Association’s Be Kind to Animals Week, to be observed May 3 to 9.
Contestants were nominated by parents or other adults who submitted short essays describing how the child demonstrated compassion for animals. This year’s winner was Jamie Kerin, 13, of Bartlett, who was nominated by her father, Kerry Kerin. Kerin said his daughter has volunteered to walk dogs awaiting adoption at shelters and takes care of the family dog and parakeet.
“Jamie prays for animals she sees by the side of the road,” said her mother, Cathy Kerin. “She would love to have a lot more animals. Right now she is trying to talk me into getting a guinea pig.”
Jamie said that she and a friend want to open an animal sanctuary someday where young volunteers could gain experience with animals.
Runners-up were Britney Behling, 9, of Glen Ellyn; and Corey Lerhman, 10, of Wheaton. Behling refused to jump her horse during riding lessons because she thought it might injure the animal. Lerhman helped rescue an injured hawk.
Other nominees were Meghan Hupp, 10, of Hanover Park, who rescued an escaped salamander; and Kyle Nelson, 11, of Naperville, who adopted a pregnant guinea pig and later found good homes for the babies.
Winners will be honored at a dinner at 6 p.m. Thursday, at Wheaton Bowl in Wheaton. Awards also will be presented to winners of the county’s Be Kind to Animals Week art contest, won by Deborah Cronin, 7, of Aurora; Jeanine Macrito, 11, of West Chicago; and Norah McAvoy, 11, of Carol Stream.