SAVE THE DATE: October 30, 2008: ASPCA Announces Winners of the 2008 Humane Awards

The ASPCA's annual ASPCA Humane Awards Luncheon recognizes individuals who have worked on behalf of animal welfare as well as animals who have engaged in acts of heroism during the past year.

Following a nationwide call to the public for nominations in February, an ASPCA-appointed committee reviewed hundreds of entries and selected winners in eight specific categories.

WHO: ASPCA Dog of the Year: A lab/Golden retriever mix named Ilia who has stayed by Cole Massie, a 10-year-old boy with cerebral palsy, since he was a pup, traveling over 7,000 miles on six planes to be by his side during surgery. Ilia supported Cole through medical treatments and physical therapy and encouraged the boy during his road to recovery.

ASPCA Cat of the Year: A 10-year-old tabby named Libby was a dog's best friend to lab mix, Cashew who was blind and deaf. Libby was a guide cat to Cashew and helped the dog by leading her to her food every day and helping her stay away from obstacles.

ASPCA Kid of the Year: 12-year-old Mimi Ausland spent four months of careful planning to launch her own web site, freekibble.com, which helps provide food to dogs and cats at the Humane Society of Central Oregon.

ASPCA Presidential Service Award: a four-year-old black Lab named Stache and his handler Jim McCans have been involved in nearly two dozen searches including a Hurricane Katrina victim, helping to find missing American service men and women in Iraq and solving a missing persons case in Philadelphia. Stache came to a close brush with death while working in Iraq, a blast left him with temporary hearing loss, but he has since recovered and returned to the states.

ASPCA Firefighter of the Year: California Firefighter Adam

Deem of the CA Department of Forestry and Fire Protection saved a six-month-old bear cub from the Moon fire in Northern California on July 17, 2008.

ASPCA Law Enforcement Officer of the Year: Chief Deputy

District Attorney for the City and County of Denver, Diane

Balkin, has been an advocate for animals for the past 30 years and has prosecuted many people who have abused animals. She has also been instrumental in changing Colorado laws to facilitate the prosecution of animal abusers.

ASPCA Henry Bergh Award: Board certified veterinary surgeon

Dr. Phil Bushby spearheaded the MSU Disaster Response projects during Hurricane Katrina, and his goal is to expose veterinary students to shelters across Mississippi, educate them about the problem of pet overpopulation and help them find ways to play a role in the solution.

ASPCA Lifetime Achievement Award: Mrs. Mamdouha Bobst has dedicated her life to helping animals in need. She donated funds to support the animal medical center, where she founded the Mamdouha Bobst hospital in New York City. The hospital treats more than 30,000 animals annually.

WHEN: Thursday, October 30, 10:30 a.m. EST.

Media interviews to be conducted before the ceremony between

10:30-11:45 a.m. EST.

WHERE: New York City's Rainbow Room, 30 Rockefeller Plaza # 65,

New York, NY