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Scouts pet fair to aid Humane Society
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Thirteen-year-old Emily Cobb, an eighth-grader at West Hall Middle School, sits with pets Tweety, left, Pookie, center, and Waffles at her Gainesville residence Saturday - photo by SARA GUEVARA

Think you have the cutest pet in town?

Prove it.

On Saturday, local residents will get to vote for their favorite cat, dog or other pet in a pet fair hosted by local Girl Scout Emily Cobb, who has organized the fair to collect supplies for the Humane Society of Hall County and earn her Girl Scout Silver Award.

"It’s the highest award for a Cadette Girl Scout to earn," said Cobb, a 13-year-old eighth-grader at West Hall Middle School.

Local celebrity judges, including Maj. Terry Conner of the Hall County Sheriff’s Office and Superior Court Judge Jason Deal, will decide which pets receive the awards for first, second and third place.

The cost to enter? Just bring along some pet supplies.

"All of the entry fees, which is dog food, cat food, cat litter, old blankets and newspaper, is all going to help the Humane Society," Cobb said.

Cobb’s mother, Lori, said the silver award is optional for Girl Scouts, but very prestigious.

"You have to want to accomplish those goals," Lori Cobb said.

Planning the pet fair to earn the silver award has been a lot of work, Emily Cobb said. She began the planning process in April.

"You have to have 40 hours worth of work, and you have to have community service work and badge work," Emily Cobb said.

The silver award is earned after the bronze award and must be earned before a Girl Scout can attempt a gold award, which is the highest level award. Lori Cobb compared the gold award in Girl Scouts to a Boy Scout becoming an Eagle Scout.

"I had a lot of fun doing the bronze award and I plan to do the gold award too," Emily Cobb said.

There will also be other animal friendly activities at the pet fair.

"The Humane Society’s actually going to have a mini adoption," Cobb said, and there will also be other animal-related businesses who will be at the fair to donate items to the cause.

Between 25 and 30 participants are expected, and registration is still open.

The fair will take place from 2 to 5 p.m. in the gymnasium of Jones Elementary School. Those interested in registering their pet can e-mail Cobb at emilysilveraward@yahoo.com.