Wondering what the Endangered Species Contest is all about? We’re celebrating the release of our new Signature Endangered line with this special contest. Check back on Webkinz Newz in the coming weeks for a chance to enter this contest again to win an awesome Animal Rescue Prize Pack!

We’ve got some exciting news! Webkinz World™ has been awarded the “Best Virtual World Site For Kids” award from About.com! Here’s what About.com had to say about our site:

Congratulations to fan favorite, Webkinz World, winner of the 2010 Reader’s Choice Award for Best Virtual World for Kids. The subscription-based website is unlocked through the purchase of a Webkinz stuffed animal. From there, kids are invited to care for their pets, play games, earn coins and decorate their own in-game homes. Webkinz World is a closed community with a nice suite of parental controls. It is highly regarded for quality entertainment and a safe environment.

We here at Ganz are very proud to receive this reward from About.com. Now in its fifth year, Webkinz World has been and continues to be a fun, child-friendly place for parents and their children to play, and we’ve got some great new features planned for this year to make Webkinz World even better!

Thanks to everyone who voted for Webkinz World; we appreciate the support, and we look forward to providing you all with more great plush pets and fun online games!

NOTE: Ganz does not own or operate About.com. If you are under the age of 13, check with a parent before continuing to the site.

Our first Communal Contest has run its course. Last week, players voted to win 500 KinzCash as the prize for our first contest, and the challenge was to score a whopping 6,000,000,000 points collectively in the game. Sadly, the goal wasn’t reached. But not to worry! There’s another chance to win great prizes this week with our new Communal Contest!

We’ve been paying close attention to the challenges, and we realize we made this first challenge way too tough. We’ll be making this week’s challenge much easier, and going forward, we’re going to be carefully watching this new feature and balancing the challenges to ensure that the Communal Contest is tuned just right!

Looking to give us more feedback on the Communal Contest feature? Head over to the “Feedback Friday” post, and let your voice be heard!

Webkinz World Updates

• We’ve got a brand new Arcade game coming this month. Here’s a hint: it’s a sequel to one of our current games!
• After asking you which retired games should return, we’re bringing one of the most-requested retired games back!
• There’s a new, special St. Patrick’s Day event coming to Webkinz World this year!

Physical Products

• Our featured pets for March include the Peace Puppy, the Bubblegum Cheeky Cat, the Shar Pei, and the Ferret.
• The Signature Pig joins the featured pets this month.
• Our new Signature Endangered line kicks off with the Signature Endangered Bengal Tiger!
• Our new Small Signature line starts with the Small Signature Beagle!

More details and a few teasers about what’s to come this month follow after the break.

Pet Of The Month

• This month’s pet of the month is the Himalayan. Pick up a Himalayan this month to get a special loot bag and gain access to special Pet Of The Month Daily Activities. And keep your eyes peeled for the floating ribbons in Webkinz World on the 1st and the 15th of the month to get a special Pet Of The Month chocolate!
• Our newest Pet Of The Month music video starring the Himalayan will be coming to Music Starz and the Ganz eStore later this month alongside some special eStore tie-in items!
• This month, we’re introducing an online-only version of the Pet Of The Month. You can pick up the digital Himalayan pet directly through the Ganz eStore all month long!

Caring Valley

• This month’s Caring Valley pet this month is the Cow, and the special tree is the Golden Elm. Adopt this pet to get four saplings that you can plant in The Caring Valley! Plant four during March, and you’ll unlock the new Enchanted Tree!

eStore Releases

• The new Avant Condo set has debuted alongside the Glam Boutique Replica items, and there are many more eStore items on the way!
• Watch out for some special St. Patrick’s Day surprises later this month, as well!
• The attractive Aquamarine Puppy is this month’s Birthstone Pet.

Deluxe

• March’s Deluxe item is the Lucky Leprechaun Hat! Subscribe now to get this great new item and a whole lot more!

January and February were big months, but March is absolutely stuffed to the brim with new things to see and play! Watch out for details about these upcoming events, sneak peek pictures and screenshots, and more on Webkinz Newz in the coming weeks!

The dependable Donkey is a bit clumsy but forever loyal. The Donkey may dip into a daydream from time to time, but this cuddly pet is always ready for a hug. And with its frazzled tuft of grey hair on its head and its bushy-ended tail, this Donkey is simply adorable.

Standing tall, proud, and strong, the stoic Signature Endangered Asian Elephant is one of the largest and most impressive animals in all of Webkinz World. The wise and quiet Asian Elephant has a great memory, so playing with it and caring for it will earn you a friend for life!

You won’t find a more playful puppy than the youthful Short Haired Yorkie. This beautiful, bright-eyed pet loves a good tummy rub almost as much as it loves going for a run in the Kinzville Park! You’ll never be bored when you’re playing with the Short Haired Yorkie!

With its pretty pointed ears, soft red coat, fluffy paws, and loving eyes, the Small Signature Fox is just begging to be cuddled. This friendly Fox loves to frolic, and you’ll often find it chasing its own fluffy tail or flopping about. You won’t find a finer Fox anywhere!

• Monday: Push the Big Button of KinzCash between 4 and 5 pm KT!
• Tuesday: Play Webkinz Rally for 35% Bonus KinzCash between 6 and 7 pm KT!
• Wednesday: Play Balloon Dartz between 9 and 10 pm KT!
• Thursday: Polka Dot PJ bottoms are on sale in the KinzStyle Outlet all day!
• Friday: The Daffodil Bathroom Sink is on sale for 40% off between 6 and 7 pm KT!
• Saturday: Take part in the first Communal Contest challenge!
• Sunday: Take part in the first Communal Contest challenge!

These are just a few of the special events happening this week! For the full list, be sure to log into Webkinz World each day to see the schedule of Daily Activities, visit the W Shop for daily sales, and more! There’s always something to do in Webkinz World!

Dotted with dazzling diamonds, the Dazzle Daschund is one dashing doggy! Though it stands on stout, little legs, the Dazzle Daschund shimmers bright enough to not be overlooked! Best of all, this pretty, pink pup will happily pounce all over the place whenever you want to play!