In the final round, photos of the top finalists will be printed Sunday, March 4 before the final round of voting ends Friday, March 16.

First, second and third place winners will be recognized in the Times-Journal on Wednesday, March 21.

First place will take home a pet-friendly gift basket from local sponsors.

All businesses, organizations and individuals who donate $300 or more to the NIE program will secure a spot on the sponsor page of each of the five rounds of the Pet Idol contest.

Donations can be mailed to the NIE program at P.O. Box 2080, Selma, Al., 36702, or brought to the Selma Times-Journal’s 1018 Water Ave. office between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m.

Proceeds from the 2011 campaign helped put more than 32,400 newspapers in local classrooms and provided aid to the Selma-Dallas County animal shelter, which winning contestant Petey’s owner Jennifer Ford said only added to the experience.

“We thoroughly enjoyed it,” she said.

“We had a great time. Our daughters raised money through school and other places and it was for a great cause. I think it’s something we would definitely do again.”

For questions, call 875-2110.