Cathy Perfect
Kern Valley Sun

This year’s winners of the Kern Valley Sun’s annual Pet Pin-Up contest have been announced. With so many cute and clever entries, choosing the winners was not any easy task. The contest generated $600 for the Kern Valley Animal Shelter in Southlake.

First place went to “Petey” and his owner Paula Horton of Temecula, who received a $100 gift certificate from a sponsoring merchant of her choice. Merrily Henstra of Southlake and “Bella” took second place and received a $50 gift certificate from a sponsoring merchant of her choice. Third place went to “Scout” and “Conager” and their owners Gene and Marianne Fountain of Kernville. They received a $25 gift certificate from the sponsoring merchant of their choice.

Kern Valley Sun Publisher Marsha Smith, second from left, presents Kern Valley Animal Shelter operator Diedra Morrison, holding shelter resident Jimmy, center, with a $600 donation on Oct. 8. The gift was made possible by proceeds from the Sun’s annual Pet Pin-Up Contest. Second place winner Merrily Henstra and Bella, of Southlake, left, and 3rd place winners Marianne and Gene Fountain and Scout of Kernville were on hand for Thursday’s presentation. First place winner Paula Horton and Petey, of Temecula, were not available for photo.

The Pet Pin-up contest is made possible by the following local sponsors: All Valley Satellite; Amergas; Appliance Center; Archie’s Hardware; Barnes Bargains; California Water Co.; Canyon Veterinary; Carquest/Western Auto; Cellular Connection; Cheryl’s Diner; Clip Chip Hair Salon; Darice Repp, Massage Therapist; Farmer’s Insurance/Kellee Scott; Feed Barn; Kern Village/Burlington; L & M Lumber Co.; Los Palomos; R.J. Smith Construction; Sierra Gateway Market; and Thomas Refuse.