1. ELIGIBILITY: NO PURCHASE NECESSARY TO ENTER OR WIN. All Entrants (persons submitting entries) and Nominees must be legal residents of the 50 United States or the District of Columbia, 18 years of age or older as of March 8, 2009. Employees, officers and directors of Discovery Communications, LLC ("Sponsor"), its promotional partner The Clorox Company, Promotion Mechanics, Inc. ("Contest Administrator"), their parent companies, subsidiaries, affiliates, TV production partners, advertising agencies, promotional suppliers and the immediate family members (spouses and parents, children and siblings and their spouses, regardless of where they live) or members of the same households (whether related or not) of such employees, officers and directors (collectively, "Contest Entities") are not eligible. All applicable federal, state, and local rules apply. Void in Puerto Rico and where prohibited or restricted by law.

2. PROGRAM DESCRIPTION: Animal Planet’s "Hero of the Year" Contest presented by the makers of Fresh Step® litter (the "Contest") has been established by Animal Planet to recognize individuals who have demonstrated extraordinary service in time, effort and results for a cause that contributes to the welfare of animals. If you or someone with whom you are personally acquainted deserves the title of Animal Planet’s Hero of the Year (a "Nominee"), write a Nomination Statement telling us why. The Contest begins at 12:01 AM ET March 9, 2009 and ends at 11:59 PM ET on June 28, 2009 ("Contest Period").

3. TO SUBMIT AN ENTRY: Write an original Nomination Statement of 250 words or less, nominating yourself or someone with whom you are personally acquainted for the title: Animal Planet’s Hero of the Year. Nominees must be made aware that they are being nominated prior to Entrants submitting a Nomination Statement, and the Entrant will be required to acknowledge same before entry will be accepted. Nominee must be known to not have violated any state or federal laws while undertaking animal welfare activities. Please note that the Nominee may not be deceased.

The nomination statement must include:

• A description of the cause the Nominee supports;
• The activities and actions that demonstrate the Nominee’s commitment to the cause;
• The accomplishment and impact of the actions;
• How the Nominee’s actions may have inspired others to get involved with the cause.

To submit your entry, visit www.animalplanet.com/hero and access the "Hero of the Year" Official Online Entry Form. Enter your name (the person completing and submitting the entry), your date of birth, your complete address, your email address, your daytime and evening telephone numbers; and the Nominee’s complete name (the person Entrant is nominating), Nominee’s date of birth, Nominee’s complete address, Nominee’s email address and Nominee’s daytime and evening telephone numbers. Insert your Nomination Statement in the space provided on the online form and submit. Entries must be received by Sponsor’s server by 11:59 PM ET on June 28, 2009.

You may enter as often as you wish, but each entry must nominate a different person, must meet all entry requirements and must be submitted separately. Entries must be completed in English.

By submitting an entry, you warrant and represent that your entry is your own original work created by you, is true and verifiable, has not been previously published, has not won a previous prize or award, that you own or otherwise control all of the rights to your entry materials and that your entry does not violate any law, regulation or any right of any third-party, including but not limited to rights of copyright, publicity and privacy. Submitting an entry that is copyrighted by another individual will make you responsible for any legal action the legal copyright holder might take against you.

Entrants grant the Sponsor all rights of ownership, reproduction, and use of entries for any purpose whatsoever without compensation or further permission, including but not limited to an irrevocable and perpetual, royalty-free, worldwide right, in all media (now known or later developed) to assign, use, publish, edit, adapt, modify, alter, reproduce, distribute, display, copyright, create derivative works or otherwise exploit entries, for commercial or non-commercial use, and without compensation to the Entrant or Nominee. By entering the Contest, each Entrant waives any and all rights he or she may have to the Nomination Statement. To the extent Entrant has any rights in the Nomination Statement, Entrant assigns all such rights to the Sponsor by entering the Contest.

Entries may not defame or invade the rights of publicity or privacy of any person, living or deceased, or otherwise infringe upon a person's personal or proprietary rights. Submissions that are deemed by the judges in their sole discretion to be immoral, obscene, profane or not in keeping with Sponsor's image will be void. Sponsor reserves the right in its sole discretion to disqualify any entry at any time which, in the Sponsor’s reasonable opinion, endangers the safety or well being of any person or in the event it is determined that the Entrant has not complied with these Official Rules. Other than for winner notification, neither Sponsor, nor anyone acting on its behalf, will enter into any communication with any Entrant or Nominee regarding this Contest, nor will entries be acknowledged or returned.

4. JUDGING: Initial judging will be conducted by a panel of judges under the supervision of the Contest Administrator, an independent judging organization, and based on the following judging criteria:

• Level of commitment to the cause, including time devoted - 30% of total score;
• Level of accomplishments and impact of the actions - 30% of total score;
• Inspirational value of the actions on others - 20% of total score;
• Sincerity and credibility of the statement - 20% of total score. The ten Nominees receiving the highest scores will be declared the potential Finalists. In the event of a tie, the Nominee with the most unique story, in the judges’ sole opinion, will be named a Finalist.

NOTIFICATION: Finalists and corresponding Entrants will be notified on or about September 1, 2009 and will be required to execute and return, within 7 days of issuance of notification, an affidavit of eligibility, assignment of rights, liability and (where legal) publicity release, along with a recent photo of Finalist, which will include, without limitation, their granting of permission for their names, Entrants’ Nomination Statements and photos to be displayed as part of the People’s Choice Voting described below. Finalists may also be required to submit a statement of no more than 150 words detailing their work for the benefit of animals. The Finalist statement may also be displayed in the People’s Choice Voting. Finalists will also be required to agree that, if determined a winner, they will allow the Sponsor’s camera crew to record/photograph them after receiving notification of being selected as a winner and will give Animal Planet full rights and permission to air any footage collected as deemed appropriate ("Recording"). Winner/Award Recipient further agrees that the Sponsor may elect, in its sole discretion, to not send a camera crew or to not use the Recording or to use only a portion of the Recording.

If notification documents are returned as non-deliverable, if a Finalist/Entrant is found to be ineligible or not in compliance with these Official Rules, does not respond within the time period specified or cannot accept the terms and conditions of being a Finalist, the next highest scored Nominee/Entrant will be notified and the same process will be followed. The Nomination Statements of the Entrants and photos of the verified Finalists will be posted at www.animalplanet.com/hero for voting by the general public.

PEOPLE’S CHOICE VOTING: Once an Entry has been posted at www.animalplanet.com/hero, visitors to the site may vote for the Finalist whom they believe best embodies the qualities of an Animal Planet’s Hero of the Year. The People’s Choice voting will begin at 12:01 AM ET September 14, 2009 and will end at 11:59 PM ET September 27, 2009. Limit one vote per person/email address. Votes must be recorded by Sponsor’s server by 11:59 PM ET on September 27, 2009.

FINAL JUDGING: At the close of the People’s Choice voting, a panel of honorary judges selected by Animal Planet will determine the Hero of the Year winner based on the following criteria: Results of the People’s Choice vote (25%), Level of accomplishments and impact of the Nominee’s actions (40%), and Inspirational value that the Nominee’s actions have had on others (35%). The highest-scoring Finalist at the final Judging will be deemed the corresponding winner. In the event of a tie in the Final Judging round, the winner will be determined from all tied entries based solely on Level of accomplishments and impact of the Nominee’s actions.

The potential Hero of the Year Winner/Award Recipient will be notified on or about October 1, 2009 and will be required to submit to, and cooperate in, a confidential background check to confirm eligibility and to help ensure that the use of any such person in advertising or publicity for the Sponsor or this Promotion will not reflect unfavorably on the Sponsor, as determined by Sponsor in its sole discretion. The Hero of the Year Winner/Award Recipient will be announced publicly on or about the week of December 14, 2009.

5. HERO OF THE YEAR PRIZE (Awarded to winning Nominee): One Hero of the Year Prize will be awarded, consisting of a $10,000 donation made to the animal welfare organization of the winner’s choice (subject to Animal Planet’s approval); a :30 Public Service Announcement produced by Animal Planet in support of the winner’s cause; and a trip for two people to a destination of the winner’s choice which supports the winner’s animal welfare passion. Animal welfare organization must be established as a 501 3-C non-profit organization and winner will not be responsible for the taxes on the donation portion of the prize. Trip will consist of round trip coach air transportation for two people from major commercial airport closest to winner’s residence (as determined by Sponsor), double-occupancy hotel accommodations for duration of stay, activities planned by Sponsor, use of a rental car if appropriate (subject to all car rental agency qualifications and restrictions and if winner does not meet these restrictions, this portion of prize will not be awarded and no additional compensation will be provided) and $1,000 spending money for winner (awarded in the form of a check). Expenses not specified herein are winner's responsibility. Approximate retail value of trip prize is up to a maximum of $15,000. Actual value of prize will be determined by destination selected, winner's residence and seasonal rates. Difference in amount between approximate retail value and actual value will not be awarded. Travel and accommodations are subject to availability and certain restrictions; blackout dates may apply. Winner and guest must travel at the same time on the same itinerary. Travel must be completed by November 30, 2009 or prize will be forfeited in its entirety. Travelers are responsible for any travel insurance and for all trip expenses not specified. To secure the rental car, winner or winner’s guest must be 25 years of age or older and must have a valid U.S. driver’s license in his/her state of residency, appropriate motor vehicle insurance, and a major credit card. Optional services or items such as refueling or loss or damage waiver (LDW) are extra. Winner’s guest (or if a minor, a parent/legal guardian) must complete a liability/publicity release (where legal) prior to issuance of travel documents.

By accepting the Hero of the Year Prize, the winner and his/her guest represent that they understand that travel, whether by plane, automobile, or other conveyance, or by foot, and in the air, contains some inherent element of risk of accident, illness, injury, loss or death, which may be caused by negligence, forces of nature, or other agencies, known or unknown. The winner and his/her guest represent that they recognize that such risks may be present at any time before, during and after the trip. In order to be considered the winner and utilize this trip, the winner and his/her guest must be willing to accept the risk, and to confirm their acceptance to such risk in writing at Sponsor’s request.

HERO OF THE YEAR NOMINATOR PRIZE: The Entrant who nominated the winning Hero of the Year will receive a $1,000 prize to be awarded in the form of a check.

6. WINNER PHOTO/VIDEO LOG: The Hero of the Year winner will be required to create a photo or video log showing how the donation was used to benefit the animal welfare organization receiving the donation, and to provide the log to Animal Planet within six months of the award. Winner/Award Recipient agrees to grant the Sponsor the results and proceeds of the log (hereunder "Materials") with the right for the full period of copyright, including all extensions and renewals thereof, and thereafter in perpetuity, throughout the world, to use and re-use all or any part of the Materials for the purpose of making and producing television programs and other works, and advertising, publicizing and exploiting the same, by all means and in all media, whether now known or hereafter devised, and to authorize others to do so. Neither a winner nor other party now or hereafter having an interest in the log shall have any right or action against the Sponsor or any other party arising out of any use of said Materials. The Winner/Award Recipient further agrees that Sponsor may elect, in its sole discretion, to not use the log or to use only a portion of the log.

7. NOMINATOR SWEEPSTAKES: Each Entrant who submits an eligible Nomination Statement will be will be automatically entered in the Nominator Sweepstakes for a chance to win a $50 PetSmart® Gift Card. Random drawings will be held for each day of the Contest Period from among all eligible entries received for that day. Each drawing will award one Gift Card prize. It is estimated that a total of one hundred twelve (112) Gift Card prizes will be awarded. PetSmart® Gift Cards are subject to terms and conditions accompanying card. Entries for any given day will not be entered or otherwise included in any other day’s drawing. Odds of winning will be determined by the number of eligible entries received for each drawing. The Contest Web host’s computer is the official time keeping device for the Contest and will determine in which day’s drawing a Nominator is entered. Winners will be notified by mail. Limit one sweepstakes prize per person. PetSmart® Inc. and PetSmart® Store Support Group Inc. are not affiliated with and are not sponsors of the "Hero of the Year" contest or Nominator Sweepstakes.

8. GENERAL: Taxes on prizes/awards and all expenses related to acceptance and use of the prizes not specified are the sole responsibility of Winners/Award Recipients. By participating, Entrants and Nominees agree: [a] to these rules and decisions of Sponsor and Contest Administrator, which shall be final in all respects relating to the Contest; and [b] to release, discharge and hold harmless Contest Entities from any and all injuries, liability, losses and damages of any kind resulting from their participating in the Contest or their acceptance, use or misuse of a prize/award including, without limitation, personal injury, death and property damage, and claims based on publicity rights, copyright, trademark, defamation or invasion of privacy. Entrants and Nominees agree to grant Sponsor: [a] all rights of ownership, reproduction and use of entry for any purpose whatsoever without compensation or further permission, including but not limited to an irrevocable and perpetual, royalty-fee, worldwide right, in all media (now known or later developed) to use, publish, alter or otherwise exploit entries; and if a Winner/Award Recipient, [b] to permit Sweepstakes Entities to use [i] his or her name, photograph, likeness, Recording, statements, biographical information, voice, voice likeness, and city and state address for advertising, publicity and promotional purposes in all media, including but not limited to within Sponsor's website www.animalplanet.com/hero, in perpetuity, without compensation (unless prohibited by law) and agree to execute specific consent to such use upon request; and [ii] the results and proceeds of the Recording hereunder (the "Materials") with the right for the full period of copyright, including all extensions and renewals thereof, and thereafter in perpetuity, throughout the world, to use and reuse all or any part of the Materials for the purpose of making and producing television programs and other works, and advertising, publicizing and exploiting the same, by all means and in all media, whether now known or hereafter devised, and to authorize others to do so. Neither Winner/Award Recipient nor other party shall have any right or action against the Sponsor or any other party arising out of any use of said Materials. Contest Entities are not responsible for and shall not be liable for: [a] any telecast, cable or telephone malfunctions, human error, satellite transmission failures, or delayed telecasts or preemption of or the failure of a cable affiliate to televise Animal Planet® or any affiliated Sponsor network in all or any parts of the United States; [b] electronic, hardware or software program, network, Internet or computer malfunctions, failures, or difficulties of any kind, including without limitation, server malfunction or by any human error which may occur in the processing of entries; [c] failed, incomplete, garbled or delayed computer transmissions; [d] late, lost, misdirected or incomplete entries ; or [e] any condition caused by events beyond the control of the Sponsor that may cause the promotion to be disrupted or corrupted. Sponsor reserves the right in its sole discretion to cancel, terminate, modify or suspend the Contest or any portion thereof should viruses, bugs or other causes beyond the control of Sponsor corrupt the administration, security or proper play of the Contest, and limit entries to those submitted prior to the action taken, or to proceed in such a manner as may be deemed fair and equitable by Sponsor in its sole discretion and to award the prizes/awards from all eligible entries received prior to such action taking place. No prize/award transfer or cash redemption. No prize substitution, in whole or in part, except by Sponsor due to prize unavailability, safety or security considerations, or any other reason as solely determined by Sponsor in which case a prize of comparable or greater value will be awarded. CAUTION: ANY ATTEMPT BY AN ENTRANT TO DELIBERATELY DAMAGE ANY WEB SITE OR UNDERMINE THE LEGITIMATE OPERATION OF THE PROMOTION MAY BE A VIOLATION OF CRIMINAL AND CIVIL LAWS AND SHOULD SUCH AN ATTEMPT BE MADE, SPONSOR RESERVES THE RIGHT TO SEEK DAMAGES FROM ANY SUCH PERSON TO THE FULLEST EXTENT PERMITTED BY LAW. Internet entry must be made by the Entrant only at the authorized web site address of www.animalplanet.com/hero. Entries may not be made by any other individual or any entity, and/or originating at any other Internet website or e-mail address, including but not limited to commercial sweepstakes subscription notification and/or entering service sites. Any Nominee/Entrant who was entered by any of the methods described above will be disqualified and an alternate winner determined. Use of any device to automate entry is prohibited. Sponsor reserves the right in its sole discretion to disqualify any entry at any time in the event it is determined that the Entrant has not complied with these Official Rules. This Contest is governed by the laws of the State of Maryland, with jurisdiction and venue in Montgomery County, Maryland, and all claims must be resolved in the courts of Montgomery County, Maryland.

9. WINNER/AWARD RECIPIENT LIST: For a list of winners of prizes/awards valued at $25 or more, mail a self-addressed, stamped envelope to be received by December 31, 2009, to: Animal Planet’s 2009 "Hero of the Year" Winners/Award Recipients, PMI Station, PO Box 750, Southbury, CT 06488-0750.

Sponsor: Discovery Communications, LLC, One Discovery Place, Silver Spring, MD 20910.

Contest Administrator: Promotion Mechanics, Inc., 87 South Main Street, Newtown, CT 06470.

PetSmart® Inc. and PetSmart® Store Support Group Inc. are not affiliated with and are not sponsors of the "Hero of the Year" contest or Nominator Sweepstakes.

©2009 Discovery Communications, LLC. Printed in USA. All rights reserved.