Calling all furry, scaled, feathered, hairy and hided friends.

Orcas Island Children’s House is seeking candidates for Honorary Mayor of Eastsound.

The annual Eastsound Mayoral Race is a fundraiser sponsored by and benefiting Children’s House, a nonprofit childhood early-learning center that has served island families and their children for more than 40 years.

Over the last several years, mayoral candidates – including dogs, cats, chickens, sheep, bunnies, and last year’s hugely successful write-in Bovine April (that’s Ms. Mayor to you) – helped raise more than $20,000 for the nonprofit. Voting is open to both islanders and visitors, who “buy” candidates into office, placing as many votes as they want at area polling locations or online. Each vote benefits the toddler and preschool children of Children’s House.

The race is all in good fun but requires occasional candidate appearances (real or virtual) and a commitment to campaigning May to July. The winner is announced following the 4th of July Eastsound festivities.

Children’s House will be accepting candidates through Thursday, April 5.  If more than five candidates enter the field, a primary election will be decided by the students of Children’s House.

For more information on the race and to learn how to enter, visit www.oich.org or call Children’s House at 376-4744.

Please, serious entries only. For this reason, hyenas will not be considered.