The 2007 KIND Kid of the Year

As a junior volunteer, Kayla Levasseur spends a lot of time at the Rhode Island Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (RISPCA). She walks and trains the dogs and plays with the cats. Yet,  this caring eleven-year-old doesn't stop there.

"I would like each of the animals at the RISPCA to have a happy ending," says Kayla. And since the animals can't speak for themselves, Kayla does it for them.

"The more people who see and hear about these animals, the more homes we will find for them," Kayla explains.

To make that happen, Kayla has created displays featuring adoptable animals. She's contacted TV and newspaper reporters asking them for their help spreading the word. She's even taken it to city hall!

Explanations and Proclamations
Kayla visited her mayor's and governor's offices to discuss homeless animals and the importance of spaying and neutering. The result? The governor signed a proclamation (official announcement) making August 19, 2006, National Homeless Animals Day in Rhode Island!

Liz Vaughn, the volunteer coordinator at the RISPCA, says, "We certainly couldn't have done it without Kayla's help."

Kayla was very happy about the proclamation, but she knows there is still more to do. "I will continue to speak up for animals," she says. "I hope other kids will too. They need us!"

Click here to read Kayla's proclamation—and learn how to write your own!

Meet the runners-up for the 2006 KIND Kid Award.

UPDATE FOR '08: When Kayla learned about Spay Day USA, she decided that it deserved a proclamation too. She met with Governor Carcieri and asked him to sign a proclamation making February 26, 2008, Spay Day USA in Rhode Island. Click here to see the proclamation!