It's not "American Idol"...

...it's "Pet Idol!"

Instead of voting for the best singer in the whole country, the Poughkeepsie Journal is giving you the chance to vote for your fav pet right here in the Hudson Valley! (Cute idea, right?)

For all the information, just click here and sign up your cute puppy or kitty or whatever animal you've got roaming around your house!

Just because the race between Jordin and Blake is winding down doesn't mean you have to give up your ability to vote repeatedly for a winner: Journal readers like you will submit photos of their pets and then the readers can vote for which pet they think is the cutest in all the land!

Instead of hearing Randy Jackson keep calling people “Dawg, dawg” … you can actually vote for the cutest dog!

Sure, “Kat” (that’s Katharine McPhee from last season of "AI") might not be in the running for this contest, but you can still put your support behind an actual cat! (Just like that cutie to the left)

And here's the best part: All the money raised by the contest goes to support Newspapers In Education, a program that supplies newspapers to local classrooms every day at no cost to the schools! Just as good, part of the proceeds collected go to the Dutchess County SPCA, so everyone comes out a winner!

The winning pets and their owners will receive a trophy and prizes!

Oh! OH! And did I mention??? There's no Simon in this contest! What could be better?!

Voting will begin later this month. For now, the Journal is looking for your pet pics, so send 'em in! Don't have a pet? No prob: Tell a friend who does!

Can't get enough of pets? Be sure to check out Michael Woyton's blog, "Dogs, Cats, Etc." and learn even more! Check the Journal's Web site for more information on when voting begins, and let the whole Hudson Valley know you've got the cutest pet.

Seacrest out!