NATCHEZ — The deadline to submit your pets for Pet Idol 2010 is 5 p.m. today.

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.

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

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.