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NATCHEZ — The Downtown Natchez Alliance is hosting a new kind of fundraiser that everyone’s barking, purring or squawking about.

It’s the City of Natchez’s first-ever pet mayor election that supports efforts of the non-profit Downtown Natchez Alliance, a Mississippi Main Street organization organized to boost downtown retail, art and entertainment both for tourists and for residents.

A portion of the fundraiser’s proceeds will be donated to local animal welfare organizations, said DNA Director Kevin Miers on Wednesday at the Downtown Merchants Group meeting at Natchez Coffee Company.

Election sponsorship opportunities are available now through March 7. Email director@natchezdna.org for more information.

Whether the candidate is a dog, cat, rabbit, bird, or fish, “We’re not limiting it to any species,” Miers said.

The election is also open to any pet that lives in or around Natchez, so even those from outside of Adams County or in Louisiana can join.

“Downtown belongs to everyone,” Miers said.

There are plenty of opportunities for a pet to win and be part of the collaring ceremony on May 3. The pet with the most votes will become the mayor, second place is the “Chief of Pawlice,” third place is the “Fur Chief” and fourth through 9th-place winners are the “Board of Pawldermen.”

Candidate registration begins March 17 and continues through March 28. Online voting begins April 1 and continues through April 26.

The qualifying fee for the election is $25 with an option to purchase a campaign headquarters kit for $200 that includes two campaign yard signs with a voting page QR code, an on-location Facebook live video with Natchez DNA featuring the business headquarters and candidate, social media tagging in boosted posts, patriotic-colored balloons and a collection jar for cash votes. Online and headquarters voting costs $5 per vote. There is no limit to the number of times a person can vote.

Register online at natchezpetmayor.com or contact director@natchezdna.org for more information.