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I had the opportunity to work with Betty and the gang as part of North Shore Animal League's Tour For Life. This is the second time i personally have worked with the shelter and each time i'm blown away by the care and compassion the animals get considering a shelter that physically has so little. Their programs are amazing and i'm so glad they are a finalist in the makeover competition! I wish the HSMC all the luck in the world, although they don't actually need it!! GOOD LUCKS GUYS!!

Thank you SO much for taking the time to visit us Zootoo! The shelter is on my mind a lot lately, since they have been covered in our local newspaper and also on one of the Columbus news stations. The people at the shelter are truly an amazing group of people! My family donates to the shelter when we can, but I know that our contributions will never even be close to enough to cover the costs of operation. It really saddens me that all these fantastic animals don't have a very good facility to be housed in. The HSMC does miracles with what it has, but it needs better facilities to really become a better shelter. As a proud foster cat mom for the HSMC, I can say that I have never worked with a more passionate group of people in my life. These people spend their days giving their all to save animals lives. Now all they need is a better shelter - they could accomplish so much more. Thanks so very much for visiting the HSMC Zootoo!

I had so much fun meeting the people that had logged on to zootoo to help us make a dream come true. And even a bigger honor was to meet Richard, the people from zootoo and Pedigree. I hope you will not be strangers and visit us again, it was fun having you here in London, Ohio!!!!

A big thank you for coming to visit the shelter. This amazing group of people gives their time, energy, money and love to keep this shelter running for the good of the animals. What a thankless job! If the furry ones could express their thanks I'm sure it would never end. God bless them all. They are all in my prayers and I hope you keep Madison Co. Humane Society in your hearts!

Hi Richard,

I just wanted to say that I know, without a shadow of a doubt, that HS Madison County has a phenomenal group of individuals supporting it!!! They not only help the animals at their own shelter, but they provide assistance to other shelters as well. For example, they have provided supplies (eg., cat litter) to Cozy Cat Cottage, another no-kill cat shelter in the Columbus area. From what I have heard, Cozy Cat is always scrambling to make ends meet, and the wonderful folks of Madison have extended a helping paw in their direction! And, on March 31st, when Cat Welfare and our tiny army of loyal supporters were clawing upwards to stay in the Top 20, an angel at Madison County contacted me, then phoned me (!), to show us their support. They rallied behind us and helped us remain in the Top 20. They epitomize all things good about animal lovers....there are no borders to the help they offer.

Mary

What a day it was! Certainly it was one I will never forget! The weather was perfect and everyone was ready to celebrate our shelter as a Zootoo finalist. Richard's message was inspiring and still echoing in all of us. Dean from HSUS and John from Pedigree had touching words as well. It was great to see all of the local officials as well as Rob from Congresswoman Pryce's office. Betty was belle of the ball as she proudly showed off all that she, our staff, and volunteers do. The day truly was a day of affirmation for us and what we do and it will drive us forward to continue to improve the lives of homeless pets in our area.

It was a perfect day. The weather was sunny and warm with a nice breeze. A big thank you to all who turned out to celebrate our shelter as a 2008 Shelter Makeover Finalist. A special thanks to the staff and students from Fairhaven who got up early from their nap to start things off. It was wonderful to meet Richard, Dean, John and the rest of the Zootoo crew and speak to them about what we do. I especially enjoyed hearing from them about their commitment to animals and shelters. It certainly was a day I will never forget.

Hats off to Betty, the staff and all the volunteers who made it all happen and make it happen everyday for those in our care.

Tuesday April 22 Zootoo showcased a group of hardworking people and loving,deserving cats and dogs at the Humane Society of Madison County. Yes they deserve and should win the Million Dollar Makeover but if you were there April 22nd when Zootoo came to town you saw what I see every time I visit the shelter you'd be proud of the people I know that work there every day. Betty, Julie, Cindy, Cathy, even Chef George taking care of the hundreds of cats and dogs and other pets that end up at this facility. Betty and the crew are just as enthusiastic about what they do on those awful days in the snow and rain as they are when the cameras are rolling with the sun shining and the drums drumming. Please Richard, do what you can for the Humane Society of Madison County but remember they have already won the hearts and souls of all the animals that they shelter each and every day of the year. Now it's up to you to make them the winners in your world of Zootoo.

Richard, per your request, here are the 'interpretations' from Abby of the paintings she completed for both Zootoo and The Humane Society of the United States. I posted the same on My Journal page the day of your visit with some additional information for you and others that are interested. We hope these words from Abby continue to inspire us all...

Tapestry of Voices (as painted for The Humane Society of the United States)

As I embark upon my life I quickly realize that my current happiness was not accomplished by just one person working alone. My life was saved because of a ‘community’ of people who worked together with one mission, to save me and others like me. While a lone voice can make a difference, to join those voices in choir creates a forceful, powerful symphony which sings to end the cruelty and suffering of those who would otherwise have no voice. This is a tapestry of points of color which come together to represent those we care for so deeply, the animals. The treatment of such represents our humanity as a nation. The Humane Society of the United States leads and unites this nation, this world, in this colorful song that resonates in our souls. They seek to set the standards of change locally, to be the beacon of hope for our humanity globally.

Inspiration (as presented to Richard and everyone at zootoo)

My life was changed forever because of the tireless work of those who provide hope to homeless pets as I was once. The brown earth tones in my painting signify the overwhelming need of other homeless pets who have not yet found refuge in the safety of a shelter or rescue, or who are waiting, some with limited time to find a home of their own. The need is great and resources limited. Still everyone works that much harder to give them a voice, a chance. Separating from these tones are those chances, points of light, shelters and rescues. A few at first but as you look many more emerge and the earth tones begin to fade. Bursts of blues spring forth, the tranquility felt by those who have found that special home! My vision of the future is one where earth tones fade into beacons of bright hope where no one is left on their own and then in the end only remains a painting of blue, everyone will have a home. At the center is Zootoo. A place where everyone can come together, unite and continue our joint mission. A place of hope, support and find shoulders to lean on. A place to be inspired, promote change, to lead.
The center of this movement, Zootoo!

Thank you for your compliments on HSMC and for coming to London. It's very much appreciated. As a proud mom of a HSMC adoptee, Kelsie, I can completely agree with your kind words for HSMC, the staff there truly is MAGNIFICENT.

I just watched the video on your shelter and wanted to tell you how touched I was by the beautiful paintings that Abby did. She seems like a real sweet girl. What a lovely idea. Best of luck to you all.

What a day! There's just no way it could have been more perfect! Wiggles Blue Heeler and I were there for the last thirty-five minutes, but it was evident that everyone had had and was having a great time and that people were loath to leave, wanting to just stay and soak up the ambiance of that gorgeous spring day. God bless each and every one that came to and helped with the ZooToo Celebration at the Madison County Humane Society's animal shelter. The good things done for the animals that come in contact with this shelter have a profound "ripple effect" -- from the new owners to those utilizing the services of George, the doggie transport guy; from the first line of help that often comes when someone calls Deputy Kronk to report a lost dog, to the faces wreathed in smiles when pets are reunited or find new, forever homes; from Betty, Julie, Cindy and the other awesome all-volunteer staff to the great-hearted prisoners that work so well together to make the prison program a rousing success -- all these things and more make yesterday "the icing on the cake!"

Richard, I would like to thank you and all of the zootoo crew, Pedigree, Humane Society of United States.....for visiting us in London, Ohio. It was a honor and a pleasure to spend the beautiful 75 degree day with all of you. Thank you Cathy, Betty, George, Julie, Cindy, Anna, Denver, Tori, Ariel,......(and all the others I failed to mention) for all of your devotion to the animals of this community and beyond. Thank you North Shore Animal League for arriving during the celebration to share your bus with us, and for the adoption campaign you will lead today (4/23). It was a very neat experience. I am proud to have participated thus far, and more dedicated to participate farther now.

What a wonderful experience! I feel blessed to have been able to take part in the Zootoo Celebration in London, Ohio on April 22. It was a real pleasure to meet Richard, Dean, John, and all of the Zootoo team. I was also pleased to be able to put some faces with some names (or screen names) from the band of zootoo members from HSMC. It was a great day to spend with all of these friends.
Thank you Betty, George, Cathy, Julie, Cindy.....for your continued hard work and dedication for the sake of these displaced animals. Abbey has a wonderful talent in her paintings and it was a pleasure looking at the scrapbook containing some of her works.
As it was said yesterday, regardless if we win the makeover or not, "We are already winners". We have come so far in this journey, there is no turning back now.
Thank you Fairhaven Preschool for your participation in the celebration. To hear those musical instruments and cheers as Richard, Dean, John, and the zootoo crew approached was so thrilling.
Thanks again Zootoo, Richard, Humane Society of United States, Dean, Pedigree, John, Zootoo Crew, Ellen, USA Today....for making this whole experience possible. Although I and many others will not be in Orlando personally, we Will be there in Spirit!

It was a wonderful Zootoo Celebration Day with Richard, Dean (HSUS), John (Pedigree), the rest of the Zootoo Crew, the Community, and all the officials.

I want to personal thank each and every person who came to our shelter today. Just to know the support is there really is touching to me.

I have to tell you that Richard is a businessman, but under that suit jacket is a guy who is easy going which makes it easy to call him a friend. Richard, you seem like the type of person that would be able to provide support with just your words. And trust me, your words meant alot to me and all of us at our shelter today.

So far the Zootoo experience has been amazing ride. The amount of support and awareness that Zootoo has brought to our shelter and shelters like ours will be felt for a long time.

Thank you again for coming to London Ohio and may the rest of your journey be safe on your amazing ride to the other shelters. See you at Disney.