Help animals by voting for Oklahoma's Jody Harlan

With your help, Oklahoman Jody Harlan can become "The Animal Planet Hero of the Year" - we just need to work together to make it happen for her!

She is one of 10 national finalists because she co-founded "Pets & People Humane Society." This organization could get up to $10,000 to continue rescuing abandoned pets from local animal shelters---IF we help Jody win.

Here's how: Go to: http://animal.discovery.com/roar/hero-of-the-year/vote/. Click on the button beside “Jody Harlan.” (she's fourth down on the list.) Then scroll down and click “Submit.”

You can vote once every 24 hours until Sept. 27!!!

Ask your friends to do the same.

Here is what the website says about Jody:

Since Jody Harlan co-founded the Pets & People Humane Society in 1990, hundreds of volunteers inspired by her vision and leadership have found homes for more than 37,500 abandoned pets rescued from central Oklahoma animal shelters. Jody developed pet rescue and adoption policies, convinced vets to give 50 percent discounts, recruited volunteers, raised funds, handled media relations, wrote grants, negotiated with city governments and animal control staff, and found foster home and adoption fair locations. As Jr. Pets & People sponsor, she helped two 9-year-olds earn a national "Do Something!" grant, which funded responsible pet care and spaying/neutering education programs for 1,300 elementary students. The organization became the only humane society operated by children in the United States.

In addition to working full time, Jody feeds five feral cat colonies daily and traps-neuters and releases the animals to control the population. In the evenings, Jody operates a regional email group, which distributes photos and descriptions of pets on animal shelter death rows and other hard-luck cases for 150 rescue and adoption organizations. Jody has brought abandoned or injured dogs and cats home ever since she was a kid. They instinctively trust her. She jokes, "If dogs could vote, I'd run for office." Over the years, she has personally rescued and cared for 354 pets in her home to reduce their stress, overcome bad habits and leave space for more pets at the shelter. Those who are not adoptable remain with her family for life.