NATCHEZ — The deadline to enter your favorite pet in Miss-Lou Pet Idol 2010 is 5 p.m. Monday.

Entries will be accepted via e-mail, Web submission or in person.

More than 40 pets have already entered, but it’s not too late to include yours in this fun community fundraiser.

Proceeds from a $10 entry fee and votes cast for the next idol will fund the Newspapers in Education program, which places newspapers in area classrooms.

If 100 pets enter, 25 percent of proceeds will be donated to the Natchez-Adams County Humane Society as well.

Photos of all competing pets will be published in next Sunday’s edition. A two-week voting period will begin Monday, Aug. 23.

Top qualifiers will be published again and voting will continue until the top pet has been chosen.

Votes will be 25 cents each.

Entries can be brought by The Democrat’s 503 N. Canal St., office, mailed to Pet Idol, The Natchez Democrat, P.O. Box 1447, Natchez, MS, 39121 or e-mailed to petidol@natchezdemocrat.com.

Online entries can be submitted by visiting www.natchezdemocrat.com/pet_idol. A complete entry form is available online and has been published in recent editions of The Democrat.

Owners of pets submitted electronically will be contacted via phone to arrange for payment information.

Any kind of pet is eligible for entry. Contestants so far include dogs, cats, guinea pigs and horses.