Owners who think their furry, feathered or scaly friends have a special star quality can enter their companion critters in the Arizona Daily Star's first Pet Idol contest.

Through Jan. 27, owners can fill out the entry form found in today's Star on Page B3 and mail it, along with a good-quality head shot of their pet (no camera phone pictures, please).

Donation of $15 per entry is requested. A household can enter up to two pets. Prizes for the top 10 winners will include gift certificates.

All entry photos will run in the Feb. 12 edition of the Star along with a ballot so readers can vote for their favorite pet. Following the first round of voting, the photos of 50 finalists will run in the Star March 5 for a second round of voting. The top 10 vote-getters will be announced in the newspaper March 19.

Proceeds from the entry fees and 25-cent donation to vote will benefit the Newspapers in Education program, which provides free newspapers and curriculums to area schools; and Tucson-based Spay and Neuter Solutions, which offers free and low-cost sterilization surgeries for pets.

Employees of Lee Enterprises Inc., Tucson Newspapers and Gannett Co. Inc. and each of their respective affiliated companies, and advertising and promotional agencies, and the immediate family members of, and any persons domiciled with, any such employees, are not eligible to enter.

For more information, go to www.azstarnet.com/petidol or call Newspapers in Education at 573-4537 or 573-4495.