RENO — Who said love poems are only for people? April is National Poetry Month and to celebrate, the Shakespeare Animal Fund is hosting a “Poetry for Paws” contest for children in grades 1-12.

Poems about dogs, cats, hamsters or any other type of pet can be submitted for review by a panel of local celebrity literary judges. Entries will be grouped into four categories: grades 1-3, 4-6, 7-9, and 10-12.

Special prizes will be given for originality, creativity and humor. Prizes include copies of Disney’s “Space Buddies” movie, gift certificates for free smoothies and frozen yogurt at Keva Juice, movie passes, 3-D passes for Boomtown's Family Fun Center and Circus Circus midway passes.

Poems will be posted for public viewing at Moxie Java, 465 S. Meadows Pkwy., Suite 21, and at the Shakespeare Animal Fund office, 143 Keystone Ave. Winners will be announced on April 30 at the non-profit animal group's All Leashed Up and Somewhere to Go Fundraiser.

Entries must be received no later than April 24. Submit to: Shakespeare Animal Fund, P.O. Box 8201, Reno, NV 89507 or by e-mail at TheShakeFund@aol.com. Include first/last name, age, grade, address, phone number and school. For more information, call 342-7040.

The Shakespeare Animal Fund is a non-profit charity founded to assist elderly, disabled and low-income pet owners with veterinary bills. Since 2004, the organization has helped more than 2,000 local residents obtain care for their sick or dying pets. Additional programs include pet loss support and an ongoing pet food/supplies drive.