The deadline is nearing to enter those furry family members into the annual Times-Journal contest, and no not a furry uncle Bill or aunt Ruth’s mustache — we mean pets. All pets are welcome to compete in the Times-Journal’s third annual Pet Idol contest.

The deadline to enter an animal of any species is on Friday, Feb. 8.

The third annual Pet Idol will raise money for Newspapers in Education, a program that funds newspapers being in classrooms. Times-Journal circulation director, Shane Gaut, said the contest would also fund an organization of the company’s choice in addition to giving money to NIE.

“Almost all newspapers participate in Newspapers in Education,” Gaut said. “We raise funds throughout the year to pay for the newspapers to be delivered. Last year’s Pet Idol raised enough money to provide more than 59,000 newspapers to our local schools.”

There are three rounds of voting and in the second round, the top 50 percent proceed. Votes start back at zero for the beginning of each round and the finalists are published in the paper each week.

To register a pet in Pet Idol and help bring newspapers into classrooms, fill out an entry form in the Times-Journal office located on 1018 Water Avenue and submit a picture of the animal.

The form should include the pet’s name along with your address, phone number and a $10 donation to the Newspapers in Education program. Checks can be made out to The Selma Times-Journal NIE. Photos will not be returned. Digital photos can be e-mailed to petidol@selmatimesjournal.com.

All businesses, organizations and individuals who donate $300 or more to the NIE program will secure a spot on the sponsor page of each of the five rounds of the Pet Idol contest.

Donations can be mailed to the NIE program at P.O. Box 2080, Selma, Al., 36702, or brought to Times-Journal’s 1018 Water Ave. office between 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.