You can already see the signs of election season just about anywhere you turn in the United States–signs in people’s yards, billboard ads, and a constant stream of candidate bickering on the morning news shows. While most election bickering might sound like, “yadda yadda yadda,” in one small New Mexico town, their election sounded more like a barnyard with clucks, barks, and knickers–and we’re not talking political party mascots.

Corrales, N.M., held its first pet mayor election in September. The candidates included Buddy the Dalmation, Paco Peco the llama, Emma the donkey, Sherman the gray Quarter Horse, Aspen the black grade mare, and more. For six weeks, locals “voted” for their favorite furry (or feathered, as was the case for candidate Little Miss–a chicken) candidate by paying one dollar a vote, with all of the proceeds going to the Kiwanis Foundation of Corrales, according to KRQE News 13. The original fundraising goal was $5,000, but the tough campaigns raised more then $7,800 towards the charity