Standing Up for Animals in Need Poster Contest

Submissions Are CLOSED.

For many people, companion animals are a part of the family. They give us love, comfort, and someone to play with. Many companion animals are in animal shelters and are looking for their forever homes – they need our help!

Connecticut’s Kid Governor Myra Stanfield is committed to her platform of Standing Up for Animals in Need, and raising awareness of how kids can help companion animals. To achieve this, she and The Connecticut Democracy Center partnered with the Connecticut Department of Children and Families, PAWS for Kids, and the Office of Senator Logan on the 2020 CT Family Day and Poster Contest. This year’s poster contests asked:

How Can You and Your Family Show Kindness to Companion Animals in Your Home or in Shelters?

Show us how you and your family can show kindness to companion animals in need and submit your artwork to the 2020 CT Family Day Poster Contest. Your design will help Connecticut’s Kid Governor Myra Stanfield and the Department of Children and Families raise awareness for these animals in need and inform Connecticut families how they can get involved.


Contest Rules

All entries must be received electronically or by postal mail by Thursday, April 30, 2020. Original hard copies will be requested from contest finalists.

  • Open to all Connecticut 5th Graders
  • Art must be on 8.5×11 white paper
  • Color pencils, crayons, and markers permitted
  • Bold colors look best! 
  • Must include at least one hand print and one paw print to highlight CTKG Myra’s Standing Up for Animals in Need platform
  • Must be entrant’s original, hand-drawn creation
  • Must include permission form and art description
  • Artwork (scan or photograph) and completed Permission Form must be emailed or shared via Google Drive with Brian.Cofrancesco@ctdemocracycenter.org.

Deadline: Thursday, April 30, 2020


Permission Form

The Permission Form is available in two formats:

  • Fillable PDF Form: Information can be typed right into this PDF version of the form, or printed and completed by hand and then scanned.
  • Google Doc: This version can be completed using Google Drive. Simply click the link, go to “File,” select “Make a Copy” or “Download,” and complete page 2.

In light of COVID-19 and students working from home, original signatures are not required on the Permission Form. A typed parent, guardian, kin/foster parent name is acceptable.

Artwork (scan or photograph) and completed a Permission Form must be emailed or shared via Google Drive with Brian.Cofrancesco@ctdemocracycenter.org.

Selection of the Winners

Connecticut’s Kid Governor Myra, her Cabinet, and the Department of Children and Families will select twelve finalists and one winner. They will be recognized at 2020 CT Family Day in September. Their artwork will also be displayed in the Kid Governor’s Office at Connecticut’s Old State House.


About Paws for Kids: Paws for Kids is a partnership between CT Department of Children and Families and the animal advocacy community to promote child and animal well-being through education, cross-reporting efforts, marketing, and establishing an Animal Assisted Interventions (AAI) for DCF children with trauma.