DIVIDE, Colo., April 7 (UPI) -- Some people say politics is for the birds. Apparently it’s also for the cats, dogs, hedgehogs, wolves and donkeys.

A group of 11 animals, including Buster the cat, Pa Kettle the hound, Keyni the wolf, Teddy the mutt and Herbie the donkey, are running for mayor in Divide, Colo.


The goal of the campaigns is to raise money for the Teller County Regional Animal Shelter.

"The money that comes in from these fundraisers are made and stay. That's what helps us keep our doors open and helps us," said Mary Steinbeiser, the shelter’s director of operations and development, told Fox 21 News.

The goal is to use the 11 candidates to raise $10,000 for TCRAS.

"We're the only no-kill shelter in Southern Colorado," said TRCAS employee Nancy Adams. "No one wants to see them suffer. That's what we're here for -- to protect them and take care of them."

A vote for Blackberry the Hedgehog, or any of the other candidates, costs a dollar and the money goes directly to the shelter.

[Fox 21 News] [CNN]