Politics goes to the dogs with pet mayor election in Amherst, N.S.

The race for the first-ever pet mayor of Amherst, Nova Scotia is heating up.

The policies of the next Amherst, N.S., mayor are unclear, but one thing is certain: they will be furry.

The Town of Amherst and the Lillian Allbon Animal Shelter are teaming up for the first-ever pet mayor election. Voters will choose between 10 hairy candidates to crown the mayor for a day.

People can spend $5 to vote on their candidate of choice. All proceeds will go to care for animals at the shelter.

The candidates are:

• Derby
• Major
• Susie
• Raeya
• Ducky
• Nunya Beeswax
• Jack
• Mr. Bear
• Nova
• Meowstache (aka Sherlock)

“The responses have been so creative, seeing the designs that people are putting together. I’ve been promoting it on my end, but the stuff that people are sending me to, the edits and the slogans and their campaign promises are so cute and creative, and people are really trying to win,” said Lori O’Connell, with the Lillian Allbon Animal Shelter.

The winning pet will wear the collar of honour and spend a special day with Amherst’s human mayor.

Mayor Rob Small is confident the community will elect the right pet for the job.

“I got a call asking if, you know, would I be willing or interested in having a pet mayor?” said Small.

“I thought, what a great idea, what a great fundraiser.”

Voting ends at 11:59 p.m. on Friday. The winner will be announced on Saturday.

As of Tuesday, Mr. Bear was in the lead with 12 votes.

-With files from CTV News Atlantic’s Josh Smith

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