NATCHEZ — Pets don’t use calendars, and to accommodate The Natchez Democrat is extending the deadline to enter the Pet Idol contest.

Entries were originally due by Tuesday, and more than 30 were received.

However, in hopes of receiving enough entries to make a substantial donation to the Natchez-Adams County Humane Society and raise more money to benefit area schoolchildren, the deadline is being extended indefinitely.

Entry fees and votes cast will fund The Democrat’s Newspapers in Education program. NIE places newspapers in area classrooms each week, for free.

If 100 or more pets enter the contest, 25 percent of the total proceeds will be donated to the humane society.

Each entry costs $10 and can be submitted in the following ways:

Via e-mail to petidol@natchezdemocrat.com

Online at www.natchezdemocrat.com

By mail to Pet Idol, P.O. Box 1447, Natchez, MS, 39121

In person at The Democrat’s 503 N. Canal St. office.

A deadline for pet submissions will be announced in the coming weeks. Other contest dates originally announced may be delayed, based on the flow of entries.

The next stage of the contest includes the publication of all entries in a special section.

From there, readers will be able to cast 50 cent votes for their Pet Idol.

Winners will be published in an upcoming edition of The Natchez Democrat.