We are overwhelmed by the kind and generous support from the other shelters in the top 20!! We thank you for your gifts of moral support, cash donations, and well wishes!!! We wish that we could meet you all! Please know how much your thoughtful gestures mean to us!!! Best of luck to all of you! You are an amazing group of people!

I came home for the morning of the zootoo visit, I am so glad I did, I got to spend my time in the adoption trailer watching all the sweet cats and dogs while people just seemed to come from everywhere. It was so amazing how many people came out to support PWP, it was really a great day for all. Its so wonderful what has already been accomplished, I can't wait to see what happens next.
Thanks to Richard Thompson and the zootoo crew a lot more people know exactly where the PWP shelter is located now and won't soon forget it either!!!!

Thank you Thank you thank you to all of you that makes such a wonderful project real. Richard regardless if we ever go any further in this competition YOU have put us on the map!!! Thank you from all the lil prairie people- god bless u and ur staff

Thank you Richard Thompson and your zootoo crew for coming out and making our little shelter put on the map.

Pets Without Parents progress has been achieved by many, many, people and spending countless hours of devotion and support for the animals.

With the existing condition of the sheltr that PWP operates, it is amazing how many animals have been saved and have a better life because of them. They are MAKING A DIFFERENCE. They have a great working relationship with Animal Protective League in Springfield in getting their animals spayed and neutered.

PWP entered zootoo contest because they know the difference in the county they have made so far was great but more help and funds are needed. I must say I was really impressed by the support we got from people who poured out for the tour on April 29 zootoo day.

Richard Thompson was a very impressive man with his talks about the zootoo program and shelters in general, you could tell he was a very dedicated to the welfare of the animals in the world. I Hope Mr. Thompson was impressed with the support for the shelter and the people dedicated to making PWP a better place for their animals.

I really liked his explanation of What's zootoo, Zoo is all the animals and Too is you also. What a wonderful combination!!!

Thank You Richard

Wayne Patterson
foster home for Duke and Laddie

I am so proud to see the big turn out for the tour. I had to work or I would have been there. You are all doing a wonderful job.

It is NOT TRUE that Senator Obama has never addressed pet issues. He HAS spoken about it on the campaign trail. He has completed the Humane Society's detailed questionnaire outlining where he stands on a variety of animal-related issues including shelters, animal cruelty, horse slaughter, ensuring pet food safety, etc... He has supported and co-sponsored animal friendly legistlation.
I understand that pundits who run debates don't ask candidates questions about pets, they're too busy worrying about jewelry and who the candidates had breakfast with 30 years ago. But this does not mean that the candidates haven't spoken about real issues. You can see Barack Obama's plan for pets and animals at the Humane Society Legislative Fund's website:
www.fund.org

It's heartwarming to find that such a small shelter had very dedicated supporters to have gotten to the top 20 on Zootoo. And I'd be curious to know what Obamas response would have been to the question had he been at the shelter with Zootoo.

I am so proud of the way in which your shelter has managed to overcome overwhelming adversity and challenge. Your story is truly heartwarming and beautiful. All of the shelters participating in this contest have proven themselves to be worthy of the chance to do all they can for animals as best they can. Good luck with this exceptional opportunity!

I couldn't wait to see our tour video and read all the journal comments and now I don't even know where to begin. Terri's speech yesterday made me cry and your journal entries today have made me cry...this time with so much pride. I feel so fortunate to be a part of this group. Thank you, Cheryl, for giving me the privelege of being a foster mom. Thank you, Mr. Thompson, for this wonderful contest that has brought so much awareness to the pets in need all around the world. My heart aches for each and every one of them. We CAN and WILL continue to make a difference!

What a great story!

I don't envy the judges who have to decide which shelter is going to get the million dollar makeover. That seems like an impossible task!
Who has the least monetary resources, the greatest need, and is doing the most with the least? Certainly Pets Without Parents ranks right up there!

With only 9 dog cages and 9 cat cages for a county shelter, PWP relies heavily on foster homes, and has partnered with Petsmart charities Rescue Waggin' to transport adoptable animals to the Chicago suburbs where they can get adopted.

I'm thrilled that Pets Without Parent has become a finalist in this contest. I know they will stretch their dollar to the max. I hope they win the million dollar makeover!

YAYYY!!!! Im so glad all of our hard work payed off and this shelter was so fortunate for zootoo to come to our little town in IL! =] <3

I have had many requests for a written copy of the little presentation that I shared with the group yesterday… so for the benefit and reading pleasure of those who were not able to share our wonderful event, here it is:

Good morning!! Isnt this a GLORIOUS day?!!
My name is Dr. Terri Dudis or as Im otherwise known… Zoomaster number 3!!

I would like to extend a hearty welcome and a big thanks to everyone today!!
Thanks to Zootoo and friends for giving us a reason to have this joyous celebration!
Thanks to everyone who worked tirelessly for 2 months to boost us up into the top 20 shelters in the makeover contest.
Thanks to everyone who took time away today from work, school, or chores to share this momentous occasion with us.
Thanks to all of those who so generously donated the food, the vehicles, the tents and EVERYTHING that went into making today a success.
And thanks to those folks who worked diligently to pull together this party in such a short period of time.

WHAT A MIRACLE TODAY IS!!

A few years ago when PWP was formed, folks told us we could never make a difference. This was, after all, Mason County, and things have been like this for a hundred years. We will NEVER be able to change anything. We should just give up and go home.

Well I’m here to tell you that we have made a difference for this one (pointing to the one-eyed dog in my arms) and that one (pointing to the three-legged dog, Jamie, who came here with a bloody painful stump that had to be amputated), and all of those in the trailer, and the shelter, and the foster tent, and the adopters tent.. AND to the almost 1,000 dogs and cats that we rescued last year alone!!!

AND we made a difference for countless people whose lives we touched with food and litter, veterinary care, spay and neuter services… AND for those people who know they can now call to report abuse and neglect and that it WILL be dealt with swiftly and effectively.

SO, I wasn’t surprised when people told us that we couldn’t possibly win the Zootoo shelter makeover contest. We would NEVER make it into the top 20!! We started too late, we don’t have enough people, we aren’t sophisticated enough…(does Mason County even have computers??!) Well folks, I’m here to tell you that not only did we make it into the top 20.. but we are NUMBER 7 out of more than 1,000 shelters that participated!!!

SO, how CAN we do all this? Look around you…. do you see any big cities, industry, fancy cars, lots of people or other resources? NO! In fact, Mason County falls way below the average income and education levels for the state of Illinois. We have only about 50 people per square mile. We are on a list of counties termed “poverty watch”.

BUT, ILL TELL YOU WHAT I DO SEE WHEN I LOOK AROUND! I see the embodiment of TRUE GRIT!! I see people with determination and passion and commitment and energy!! I see that Midwestern work ethic and a can-do, get-er- done attitude. I SEE PEOPLE WITH GRAVEL IN THEIR GUTS AND FIRE IN THEIR BELLIES! I see a handful of volunteers who had nothing but a terrible situation and a dream…. and the courage and the fortitude and the vision and the stamina to make that dream into the reality that you see here today!!! A reality of a safe haven for the homeless cats and dogs of Mason County!

Ladies and Gentlemen: Thank you for helping us make the dream come true!! Thank you for PACKING THE POUND AND SUPPORTING OUR SHELTER.

AND I PROMISE YOU, one day we WILL have a new shelter and we WILL have a community that says NO to pet overpopulation, to hoarding, and to animal abuse and neglect!!!

The great Indian leader, Mahatma Ghandi once said that “the greatness of a nation will be judged by the manner in which they treat their animals.”
MASON COUNTY, in the eyes of the world, today you have earned an A ++!

Thank you and enjoy this special day!

Thanks Zootoo for being the spark behind the Miracle in Mason County yesterday!!
We already feel like we have just won a million bucks!! And I hope that you enjoyed your visit half as much as we did. I also hope that you gained an appreciation for the title of my Zootoo review of Pets Without Parents (PWP) at the Mason County Animal Shelter two months ago…”We are small but mighty”. Have you ever seen a more infectious enthusiasm among so many people in one tiny town?! And as you now know, we have turned the community upside down and inside out from where we were two years ago with regard to animal welfare. We have taken the euthanasia rate from more than 90 percent to just over 20 percent in one year!! We have spayed and neutered well over 1,000 cats and dogs in just a couple years (and yes, Richard, we probably DO have more animals than people in our county… but we are working hard to change that ratio!)
And, we are now even accepting animals from other counties that may be in even more dire straits than we are. Because we are so small and “resource challenged” we have to work harder and smarter than most. We have learned how to leverage our miniscule resources and build relationships and partnerships that enable us to do things that most would not dream possible. Those skills in combination with our passion and devotion to our cause help us move mountains.

Aren’t you amazed that after spending just 2 short hours in the speck of prairie called Teheran, that we had you hooked up with Disney, Fort Dodge and Senator Obama??!!! How many of the other shelters can make that same claim?!! And already our Dr. Karren is working with your Dr. Jill to share practical, real-world suggestions for the Angel Wings program that she has already been put into effect at the Mason County Animal Shelter.. Practices that, for example, allow fourth year veterinary students performing externships at local clinics to gain valuable spay/neuter experience under the watchful eye of a skilled surgeon and simultaneously providing free spay/neuter services for PWP and the Mason County Animal Shelter.

It is almost scary to imagine what a group with this much adrenaline and talent and commitment could do with a “real” building!!!

The committee who lead PWP into Tuesday's event is truely an amazing group of people. Cheryl, Sue, Linda, Terri and Ben YOU MADE it happen with your committment, your love and strength. However, many other volunteers who helped mow, set up tents, gathered donations, made phone calls, folded tee shirts, blew up balloons, served lunch and provided support, YOU ARE PRICELESS. May this organization be always blessed and continue to educate our communities about Mason County Animal Shelter. Thank You Everyone!

This certainly was one of the best days in Mason County. I can't thank everyone enough for all the help in making this a HUGE SUCESS for Pets Without Parents. Thanks to the Jazz Band providing us with great music. The Girls Softball team in helping us out to set up tables and chairs! FAA great job for all their hard work! The 3rd grade students who was there and presented us with a check and to their Teachers who devoted their time in working with the song they sang to us! WE LOVED IT! The long hours that were put into this and the sleepless nights we all had thinking did we leave something out?

I had the priviledge of driving Mr. Richard Thompson and his zootoo crew to our shelter. I can't even explain how I felt when we drove into our tiny shelter and to see the support we had. It took my breathe away.

To all our volunteers who were there to help, makes me feel we are truly blessed! THANK YOU!!

After listening to Top Cat give his speech yesterday made us all proud that we are apart of making a difference in the lives of these animals. I'm sure this will open the eyes of America in getting volunteers out to support their local shelters.

Looking forward to our next step to Orlando and what lays ahead for us!!

WE are tiny but we are also mighty and very determined to move onwards to make a better shelter for Mason County.

THANK YOU EVERYONE !!

God Bless and Good Luck to all the shelters involved!!!

Cheryl Patterson
Shelter Manager

I cannot even begin to describe how proud I am of my mom, Cheryl Patterson. She wanted to make a difference in this world and she found her calling! Besides herself,ALL of the volunteers have sacrificed many things to get the shelter to where it is today. It was awesome to see how the community really came out to support PWP. You certainly got Teheran,IL put on the map!! Way to go! PROUD OF YOU!!!!

This was a great day for the animals of Mason Couny as well as all the volunteers that support PWP and the Mason County Animal Shelter. I know that everyone in attendance realizes the hard work and dedication of Cheryl and her team of volunteers and employees of the shelter as well as Pets Without Parents.
Thanks to Zootoo for bringing our community together in this contest, and let's continue to network thru zootoo and reap the benfits that this website community of animal lovers has to offer.
Thanks to Richard Thompson and the zootoo crew! Its was great to meet everyone and to hear all the kind words of encouragement. I was so impressed that Richard took time to shake hands, speak and listen to anyone who had something to say!
It's hard to believe that we made headlines on all of the Peoria news stations!
OK, let's get ready for HSUS in Orlando. We can win this makeover. We have volunteer dedication, lot's of community support, were hard workers with a definite vision and mission, and we complete what we set out to do! We have saved over 2,500 animals since 2004 and can save more with a new shelter!
NEW YORK CITY HERE WE COME!!!!!
Thanks again to zootoo and the community for your support!
Sue Oldham
President
Pets Without Parents@Mason County Shelter

When I woke up this morning I realized yesterday wasn't just a dream. Wow! I'm still speechless.

Wow!! i I couldn't believe what I saw yesterday in the smallest town ever. Who would ever believe that so many people in a so small town would come out to rally and support their tiny shelter. YOU GO MASON COUNTY!!!!

I am from the Pttsburgh suburbs and wanted you to know that I am very impressed at what you have been able to do. I volunteer at a small dog shelter that was basically started as an animal control facility and I wish that all local municipalities would do this. It takes the load off the larger shelters in PA. and it is a joy to work there. Congratulations!!!!

Thanks, Zootoo for helping put Pets Without Parents on the map!

Whether or not we win the million dollar makeover, we have developed a network of community support which will last far beyond the outcome of this contest. Even better, we have been able to educate the younger generation on the issues of animal shelters and we have shown them how important it is to take care of animals in a humane way.

I was sad that I couldn't attend the shelter visit yesterday--- but Mr. Thompson's journal made me feel like I was there! I'm really looking forward to seeing the video footage. I don't know if there are any shelters smaller than PWP who made it into the top 20-- but the fact that this tiny little shelter was able to achieve this big goal says a lot about the volunteers who work so hard, day in and day out.
Jessica F.

This was a truely amazing day. Richard Thompson is so wonderful, he took time for anyone who wanted to stop and talk and tell their story to him. We are so grateful to all the Zootoo crew for what they have done for our little shelter. The media coverage alone has raised awareness of this tiny place in the middle of nowhere.
It was a beautiful day and we can't begin to thank everyone for coming out to support Pets Without Parents. The Havana School impressed us so much with all their support, the kids that came out were great. The Illini Central FFA and Girls Softball team were invalueable in setting up for this event and we couldn't have done it without them as well.
I personally had a chance to ride with Mr. Thompson and believe he is truely a man on a mission, not just for all of these shelters but also to get people to realize they can make a difference in these animals lives. He and his crew must be so tired from all their travels and I have to say it was a pleasure and an honor to meet them all, Thank you zootoo crew, Mr. Thompson and Mason County for making this day a real success.
I am sure of one thing, we will have a new shelter someday, PWP will not quit, will not give up and will continue making progress until there is a wonderful shelter for these deserving animals.
Cheryl and every person involved should be so proud of what has been accomplished so far and know the future of this shelter holds great things!!!!!!!!!