5-Year-Old Demonstrates Kindness and Compassion for Animals
For Immediate Release:
November 21, 2011
Contact:
Shakira Croce 202-483-7382
Scottsdale, Ariz. — First, he was chosen from among hundreds of photos and bios from across the country to be named one of five male finalists in PETA's fifth annual Cutest Vegetarian Kid contest. Now, thanks to getting top marks from voters and PETA judges, 5-year-old Owen Laszloffy of Scottsdale has officially been crowned the male winner of the yearly contest. He will receive a special prize pack filled with PETA goodies and the opportunity to appear in his very own PETA Kids ad.
"Owen is a perfect example of what is so cute about vegetarian kids—their kindness and compassion," says PETA Assistant Manager Emily Nash. "Our winners demonstrate that even the youngest of us can take a stand and help animals simply by choosing to stick to healthy and humane vegetarian meals for breakfast, lunch, and dinner."
Owen was raised as a vegetarian, and after learning that his mother was vegetarian but that his father was not, he decided to stick with his healthy and humane diet. In another show of compassion, Owen donated the $42 he received for his fifth birthday to a local animal shelter. When asked why he's vegetarian, Owen's answer is short and sweet: "Animals are my friends, and I don't eat my friends."
Owen's fellow winner, 8-year-old Trinnu Ashlie, lives in Orleans, Mass. The winners of PETA's contest were determined by the passion they demonstrated in their submitted responses, the number of votes they received from the public, the enthusiasm they demonstrated in living and promoting a vegetarian lifestyle, and PETA's assessment of the cuteness of their photos.
For more information, please visit PETAKids.com.