Shelter entered in makeover contest

By LPR Staff
Editor/POST-REGISTER

The Lockhart – Caldwell County Animal Shelter is among 25 in Texas and over 1,000 nationwide with the chance to win a $1 million makeover.

Zootoo.com, a networking and resource website for animal lovers, recently launched the Second Annual Zootoo.com Shelter Makeover Contest, and thanks to Animal Services Director Melan

ie Tucker, Lockhart’s shelter is among those eligible for the grand prize, shelter makeover valued at up to $1 million.

It will take community support and participation, though, to raise the Lockhart – Caldwell County Animal Shelter above the din of other nationwide competitors and into the semifinals – earning a shot at either the $1 million makeover, or a share of $195,000 in other awards.

The Lockhart – Caldwell County shelter is currently ranked 332nd in the contest, and only the top 20 shelters will be eligible for the prize. To help improve that standing, supporters of the shelter are asked to visit www.Zootoo.com and contribute reviews of pet products and services, share opinions and advice and bring other pet lovers into the community. Activities on the social networking site will earn points for the shelter.

The 20 shelters that have earned the highest number of points by March 13, 2009, will be named semifinalists.
After the 20 shelters are named and toured by Zootoo.com officials and advisors, ten finalists will be chosen. Of those ten, Zootoo.com users will choose the winner of the shelter makeover.

“Allowing America to vote for the winner of the Shelter Makeover will make this year’s contest really exciting and totally democratic,” said Zootoo.com founder Richard Thompson. “It will also be a fun challenge for each of the finalists to present their case to fellow pet lovers.”

The need for improvement is great at the Lockhart – Caldwell County Animal Shelter. Currently located on Old McMahan Road near Lockhart’s water and wastewater facility, the shelter houses hundreds of animals each year, sometimes in cramped conditions because of the lack of available kennel and caging space. The addition of a new Kitty Kottage has eased the pressure somewhat, but ever-increasing numbers of stray and abandoned animals have rendered improvements at the current shelter a Band-Aid, rather than a cure.

In an effort to help the shelter, the City of Lockhart recently acquired a tract of land on Case Street, using grant funds secured to help build a new shelter. The award from the Zootoo.com Shelter Makeover Contest would provide a significant shot in the arm, allowing the city to move forward with a new, more modern and more comfortable shelter space.