Enter now! Best coverage of animals and their welfare to be honored by National Press Club journalism contest

The best coverage of animals and their welfare in 2015 is honored by the Ann Cottrell Free Animal Reporting Award.

The prize for the best work in both print and broadcast was established by the family of journalist and longtime Press Club member Ann Cottrell Free, who wrote extensively on the topic. This prize recognizes serious work by journalists that informs and educates the public about threats facing animals.

The winners in print and broadcast win $750 each.

The Press Club, a national leader among journalism organizations, encourages those with excellent work on coverage of such issues to send them in to the contest.

The deadline is April 1. Details on the different awards categories and how to enter the contest can be found by clicking here.

Entrants are encouraged to enter online, but if you prefer, the Club will accept entries mailed in the traditional way as long as they are postmarked before the deadline.

No matter how you enter, the most important thing is to make sure you submit your best journalism.

The awards will be presented at an annual awards dinner at the National Press Club this summer.

The contest includes awards for political reporting, breaking news, regional reporting on Washington, international coverage, consumer reporting and online journalism. It also includes a group of awards for areas as diverse as reporting on the journalism industry, newsletter journalism, problems facing the elderly and humor writing.