2008 KIND Kid of the Year!

Last month, we brought you the story of Haley Ham. After her dogs Sam and Jessie died from antifreeze poisoning, this Tennessee sixth-grader wanted to stop other pets from suffering the same fate.

Haley learned that a bitter ingredient called denatonium benzoate can be added to antifreeze. This makes it taste bad to people and pets. "I found out that five states already had laws requiring this bittering agent be added to antifreeze," Haley says. "If this law was in every state, Sam and Jessie most likely would still be here with me."

A Kid on a Mission
Haley got right to work. She wrote letters to her state lawmakers telling her story. Senator Raymond Finney quickly signed on to her cause.

Senator Finney and Haley worked with LeighAnn McCollum, Tennessee state director for The Humane Society of the United States, to write a bill. If passed into law, this bill would require the bittering agent be added to all antifreeze sold in Tennessee.

Haley didn't stop there though. To let people know about the dangers of antifreeze, she set up a website and started an online petition. (At last count, more than 1,000 people had signed it!) She passed out fliers and set up a booth at the county fair. Haley also did interviews with local TV stations to get the word out. Watch the video here.

After all her hard work, it was easy to choose Haley as our 2008 KIND Kid of the Year. And we're not the only ones to honor Haley for her efforts. Senator Finney  introduced a Senate Joint Resolution in Tennessee. It recognizes Haley for her "honorable service to the good people of this State and their beloved animal companions by promoting the dangers of antifreeze ingestion."

Since she's been awarded KIND Kid of the Year, Haley has appeared on her local radio station to talk about the passage of her bill. There were more than 62,000 listeners who heard Haley talk about the bill.

Way to go, Haley!

May 4-10 is Be Kind to Animals Week. What have you done for animals lately? Find out if you Make the Grade!