RSPCA Victoria’s annual creative writing competition, Pawsome Stories will keep the Olympic flame burning a little longer for Victorian children in grades 3 – 6 this year.

With a fiction theme of ‘My pet is a secret Olympian’, RSPCA Victoria, CEO, Dr Liz Walker said she hopes to see stories of goldfish swimming glory, cats sport climbing and dogs taking to the basketball court or skateboarding to victory.

“Every year we receive amazing stories from children about their pets or animals, and it is such a delight to read them and feel the energy and passion our young people have for the creatures around them,” Dr Walker said.

“Writing about animals is an excellent way to foster awareness of animal welfare among children while having some fun.

“In previous years we’ve had cat ninjas solving crimes, flying dogs and helpful dragons, I can’t wait to see what we receive this year.”

The Pawsome Stories competition runs from 15 August to 7 October 2024 and participants can choose to write either a fictional story about ‘My pet is a secret Olympian’, or a non-fiction essay about ‘How animals make our lives better’.

“We hope that Pawsome Stories sparks an interest in animal welfare that will benefit both the child and the adult they grow to be, ultimately creating a kinder future for animals,” Dr Walker said.

Young writers can join the competition by submitting their entry at rspcavic.org/pawsome-stories/ before 7 October.

Finalists will be invited to attend an awards ceremony at the RSPCA barn in Burwood, with prizes up for grabs including a trophy, Dymocks voucher and a visit to the RSPCA barn for the winning children’s whole class.

Runners up will receive a Dymocks voucher and an Adoptables plush toy.

For more information visit: rspcavic.org/pawsome-stories/