AUBURN – Steven Dostie, shelter director, announces the winners of the Greater Androscoggin Humane Society’s Essay Contest. In celebration of “Be Kind to Animals Week,” May 5 to 9, the Humane Society held a contest with the theme, “What My Pet Means to Me.”

Three winners were chosen in each category:

Elementary Category: Morgan Gilbert of Lewiston, Brandi-Jo Storman of Lisbon Falls and Bess Curtis of Turner.

Middle School Category: Morgan Hatherly of Lisbon Falls, Ashley Soucy of Turner and Katelyn Kirk of Leeds.

Adult Category: Linda Ward of Auburn, Glenys Ryder of Danville and Wendy Ward of Minot.

All winners will receive a professional portrait of their pet.

The Humane Society provides a safe haven for approximately 3,600 sick, homeless and abused animals in the Androscoggin area a year. The primary support for the shelter comes from fund-raising events and donations of concerned citizens.

The shelter, located at 3312 Hotel Road, is in the middle of a Capital Campaign to build a new shelter. If interested in helping to build a better shelter, call 786-4713. Anyone interested in volunteering at the shelter or adopting an animal can visit the shelter or visit the Web site at www.gahumane.org.