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Mr. Thompson and all of the Zootoo staff,

Thank you so much for all you are doing for all the animals in need around the country. A special thanks for giving the Animal Orphanage the opportunity to make all the changes, additions, upgrades, etc. that they have been wanting and needing to do. I am a new volunteer to the Animal Orphanage and while have only been part of the "family" for a short time, it is evident that all of the staff and volunteers truly LOVE all the animals that come and go from the shelter. Only so much can be done with the money that is made thru their incredible fund raising efforts. Once the all the animals are cared for and feed nothing is left over for renovating the shelter. Again, many thanks for this opportunity!

Denise Baxter(volunteer)

The care of the volunteers for the animals was so evident in the welling tears in the eyes of the speaker at the end of the video when she told the story of Hope. Hope is a very lucky dog and it is unfortunate that there are so many more Hopes in the country that so many shelters are trying to care for, be they dog, cat, rabbit, horse, goat, ferret...

My heart is with the volunteers at Voorhees, and I wish them well.

Mr. Thompson,

Your passion to help animals, along with your tenacious efforts to bring awareness to homeless animals living in shelters across the United States is absolutely extraordinary! You are a true role model.

Zootoo has unmasked the incredible hardships of thousands of homeless animals and struggling shelters and brought these issues to the forefront. The existence for these animal shelters is the result of a common problem……………….human Ignorance. Ignorance crosses all socioeconomic and ethnic groups; so regardless of whether it’s a spacious, updated shelter in an inner city or a small run-down shelter in an affluent suburban area, these shelters are all filled to capacity from the same wide-spread, prevailing issue. Zootoo has enlightened thousands of people and enhanced the welfare of many shelters. Thank you for dedication to helping animals and educating people from all areas.

I wish I could have been able to meet you last Wednesday to personally thank you for all you have done, not only for The Voorhees Animal Orphanage but for ALL the homeless animals living in shelters. I also would have LOVED to introduce you to my current Pet Partner, Kasey, a stray Pit Bull who was brought into our shelter in January. She is awesome! I am so proud to be a volunteer at the Voorhees Animal Orphanage.

Thank you so much. Enjoy the rest of your journey.

Patty Fewer
Voorhees Animal Orphanage

Mr. Thompson and zootoo staff,
Thank-you so much for caring about the homeless animals of this country! This world would be a much better place if their were more people like you! Also, thanks for giving 20 shelters more hope than they've had in a long time. The animals are so deserving and need us to speak up for them. They need to believe that their are people who care for them, respect them, and love them unconditionally; not just evil people who neglect them, abuse them, and tie them up in the yard. Unfortunately, our shelter has seen too much of this. We may be a "poor little shelter in a rich area" but most of our orphans come from the surrounding poorer neighborhoods who don't have the education or money to properly care for their pets. The additional funds would not only allow us to build a better temporary home for our orphans, but allow us the space and resources to educate and support our future pet owners. The "eyesore" of Voorhees could potentially be as beautiful someday as the people who spend countless hours improving the lives of orphans! Thanks again for considering us for this AMAZING opportunity!!! Cathy Stelmaszyk (volunteer)

Richard -

I thank you for what you are doing for all the homeless animals around the country, but I want to say a special thank you for visiting the Voorhees Animal Orphanage. My daughter Mary Anne, son-in-law Bruce and our grand-dog Cash all volunteer there. A million dollar makeover would mean so much for the homeless dogs and cats that they care about so very much. Thank you and I have my fingers crossed for the Animal Orphange.

Hi Mr. Thompson,
I am 14 years old and a supporter of the Voorhees Animal Orphange from Florida. My Uncle Bruce has gotten me involved with the AO and this summer while I am visiting in NJ I will become an official volunteer with him. I think what you are doing is very important for all of the homeless dogs and cats in this country.
Thank you for caring and sharing,
Jackie

Dear Mr. Thompson,
"Thanks" somehow falls short of what I would like to say to you. Your mission is one close to my heart and the things I have witnessed ZooToo.com accomplish is amazing. Not only are you bringing light to the needs of shelters across the country, but you have managed to bring the shelters and their volunteers together as well. To see the already cohesive and dedicated volunteers of the Voorhees Animal Orphanage come even closer together and get even more people involved with the shelter has been an experience that has touched my heart.
Thank you for everything,
Mary Anne Hines (aka Cash's Mom)
PS Cash says thank you too for making him famous

Mr. Thompson, Thank you for giving us the opportunity to be a part of your vision to bring people and pets together and communities and shelters together. Your website and contest is proving to be something quite wonderful for many many homeless pets and those who unconditionally care for them everyday. It was a pleasure to meet such a humble and caring man and wish you only the best on your mission to make a difference. Sincerely, Janet Giacobbe (Volunteer)

Richard Thompson,
I am a volunteer at the Animal Orphanage and participated in your visit to the AO. Talking to many of the ZOO TOO folks I came to realize it is YOU that we all need to thank for getting the animal community together around the US. We as a collective and you in particular can and do make a major difference in the lives of the orphaned animals. We thank you very much for what you do.
- mike hoffman -

Mr. Thompson and ZooToo Crew,

Thank you for this great opportunity for the Voorhees Animal Orphanage, as well as all of the other shelters involved. The contest has helped many people throughout the community to get involved with supporting our shelter. I was not able to be there on Wednesday but I heard that everyone had a nice time and showed their support. I have not been volunteering for very long, but since I started I have witnessed and experienced the utmost compassion all the volunteers and staff possess for the animals. This chance you have provided for us and the orphans has brought us closer together as a community of people who all want the best lives possible for these animals.
With hopes that our dreams can become a reality, thank you again.
Angela Yannessa
(#5)

Dear Richard and the Fabulous ZooToo Makeover Crew,

I want to thank you and your wonderful crew for visiting our facility on Wednesday, April 9th. The staff and volunteers are still "buzzing" about the day and we sincerely hope that we made an impression worthy of the "Million Dollar Makeover." All of us at the Voorhees Animal Orphanage are dedicated to enhancing the lives of animals and people through compassion, respect and education. We hope that you walked away from your visit with a GREAT feeling about our staff, volunteers, board of directors AND knowing what the endless possibilities would be for us if we actually won the BIG ONE!!!
With great appreciation for all of you efforts and thanks for you consideration,

Maria Clarke, Exec. Director

Mr. Thompson,

Thank you to you and your team for traveling to the Animal Orphanage to tour our shelter, meet everyone associated with our shelter, and for taking the time to meet our special orphans hoping to find homes; they are all so special. I was not able to personally meet you, but wanted to commend you for what a wonderful and caring person you are for your consistent work in the animal community. I have been volunteering at the AO for over 5 years and love every minute of socializing and caring for homeless animals. You have certainly become another role model for me and to everyone who has the same passion as you and you have brought our cause to the forefront. For continued safety in your travels. Best Regards, Denise Delaney

Richard -

Thanks for your kind words about our little shelter, our community and our donation dog Cash. It was wonderful to meet you and your team, each of whom seems as dedicated as you do. We really enjoyed your visit and getting a chance to brag about our dogs, our cats and and our shelter.

--Bruce Compton

Richard,

I want to thank you for your vision to help awarness of local animal shelters in the community. You are so correct that most people do not know where the local animal shelter is.

It was really good meeting you and your team.

Funny how I never considered myself a competitive person until this contest came about. Staying in the top 20 wasnt so much for our team winning but the countless homeless faces that I see on a daily basis when I visit the animal orphanage and to do something to improve their lives.

Also an observation about animal people. They sometimes forget human beings names or slip up... we know your name is not Mr. Richardson.. however I bet if you started asking what a dogs name was they would be correct 99% of the time.

I wish you and your team a safe journey to the other shelters. Your team has a great opportunity to help many animals lives... in a way we are all part of your team as we all want to improve the lives of animals especially ones without a furever home.

Thanks so much
Bully Bob

What a nice write up! Comments posted are awesome as well! Congrats to A.O. to A.O. Staff, volunteers and the community for a job well done!

hi Richard ~
It was a pleasure to meet you yesterday and your staff of animal lovers!
Thank you so much for coming down and touring our shelter. As you can tell, our hearts are in the right places ... now we just need help on THE PLACE !!! :o)

At the Animal Orphanage, "the little shelter that could," we try very hard to make the lives of our strays and homeless dogs and cats better while they are with us. We have a lot of passion and love to give them and with your help, we can do so much MORE !!!

Again, what a pleasure to meet you !! thank you truly for your generosity and passion for shelter awareness.
best regards and safe travels on your upcoming visits --
judy hutnik
(aka #3 ;o) ha ha ...)

What an absolute thrill it has been! As a Voorhees resident, not a volunteer or staff member (YET), from the time my children and I got involved in the Zootoo Shelter Makeover Contest for the Voorhees Animal Orphanage to this much anticipated day, I've enjoyed making so many new friends (volunteers and staff) and being part of something this and most shelters or anyone could ever imagine. Because of the exposure we've brought to our shelter, we've also been able to make new contacts and friends and share new ideas with our local senior centers, local businesses and have reminded all of our town (from the residents to the Fire Department to the patrons of the Public Library) about the importance of our shelter. I do wish we could have greeted you on a late spring, Saturday afternoon, warm and sunny, a day where you'd see all of the families who have rallied around our Animal Orphanage, the children who came home off the bus with flyers in their backpacks reminding their parents about the importance of supporting their local shelter, and the lucky pets parading around proudly with their new families who found homes thanks to the efforts of the volunteers and staff, and the wonderful local paper, The Voorhees Sun who made space week after week reminding Voorhees residents to "Go to zootoo.com and vote for the Voorhees Animal Orphanage". I am, however, SO glad that my son and I did get to be a part of this very special day for our town and shelters all over the country. Thank you for your zoolanthropistic ways, without which an opportunity like this could NEVER happen. You are a special person and as your sister said, the world is a better place because of you. Take care! It was a pleasure to meet you. Hope your team realizes how lucky they are to be a part of your crew!
Janene Hill (#6)

PS...I wish you could have met Patty, (#1) (a/k/a Zoomaster)! She rocks! How often do you get called out of town to Utah for a Math Conference? Yes, Patty, your Pet Partner, Callie, got her walk and, of course, is in good hands!

Mr. Richardson,
I was so dissapointed that I was unable to be there to welcome you and the Zootoo crew to the Animal Orphanage today! If I was there, I would have given you my most heartfelt thank you for giving our shelter this opportunity. As the Volunteer Coordinator, I have been at the AO for 6 years and I'm so proud of how far our shelter has come. Everyone works so hard, despite any obstacles, and it's all 100% for the animals. I have been known to get distracted while giving Volunteer Orientations because I have so many amazing and happy stories to tell!! I'm so glad that you were able to meet our volunteers who worked so hard for this recognition, from start to finish. We were so honored to welcome you to our shelter! A million thanks...

Sincerely, Maria D.

Mr. Richardson,
Many thanks to you and your entire team for a great day!!! It was a pleasure to have you all visit what we call "The AO" and meet our staff and volunteers and most of all, join us for lunch!!!
What you are doing for shelters across the United States touches my heart! After zootoo's contest, I can happily say that our Community is now rallying behind The Animal Orphanage.... it has brought the staff, volunteers and community closer together and that is what is most important when it comes to the animals.... making sure that they are all well fed, taken care of, loved and adopted out to loving forever homes.
In my heart, I believe that is what zootoo is about. Bringing communities and shelters together to make the world a better place for our animals and I whole heartedly believe, that is exactly what you have done. You are doing the unthinkable for the shelters across the United States and for that, I will be forever grateful!!! Keep up the good work and be safe out there on the road!!!!!
Best wishes and good luck to all the shelters that made it into the top 20!!!
With MANY thanks,
Karen Moquin aka #6 :)