If anyone wants to try to help WAHS get a makeover "our way", please come to the Canonsburg Eagle's Lodge (122 North Central Ave) Tuesday 27 at 7 pm. Look at what we were able to do by getting to #1 on zootoo.... who would've thought our little shelter could do that? But we DID do it, and now we can try to raise money on our own to build a new shelter (or at least fix the holes in the ceilings?) . We all need to join together, put our heads together, and yes, we CAN do this if we all try!
Feel free to message me for more details
LaurenS

This is very upsetting. #1 We had the most votes!!! #2 We know that WAHS is in need of many repairs. I think the top 3 shelters probably need help but I would like to compare those with WAHS. I don't want anything to do with ZooToo. I believe this promo was just done for marketing.

I am shocked and dismayed that WAHS did not make it into the top 3 lists. The criteria was suppose to be points, collected, community involvement and need. I believe WAHS met all those more than adequately. I agree with what the others are saying, it should of just been a lottery with the luck of the draw, or that each shelter should be been given the same amount. I, too want my information removed from the site. I know every shelter needs money, but WAHS was #1 in all aspects to this contest. We still have magnificent community involvement and that is very heartwarming. Those cold, wet noses have been through enough betrayal and do not need any more.

I too am thoroughly disheartened that Washington was not in the top three. Obviously it has the support of the community and is funded solely are private donations. I would also like to know if this was an OBJECTIVE decision on the part of the judges, ie., was there some sort of criteria that all the shelters were measured against...OR did the judges simply pick their favorite. If there wasn't any criteria...then $5000 is a totally rip off. If it was based soley on a specific set of criteria and scored accordingly, well then congratulations to the winner.

Anyone up for organzing some sort of fundraser on behalf of this shelter. If so...then contact me and lets go for it!!

This is bogus. Washington County lead with points, and to not even make it into the top three! Shame on Zootoo, liars!!!

I would also like to know just how to get my info and support off of this website...any suggestions out there?

DITTO!! I did a search on FAQ but couldn't find anything. I would like to delete my info too.

I would also like to know just how to get my info and support off of this website...any suggestions out there?

I too fell that this zootoo stuff is a big waste of time and effort on everones part. Let's all stop this junk and get back to our lives...wonder just who made out here? How did the people of zootoo make out on all of this? I heard the same news report that the shelter with the most points wins...guess not. Wasn't it nice of the local news channels to help get the word out to...do they feel duped? Don't we all have better things to do with our lives?

I totally agree with this comment and many others about zootoo only benefiting promotion rather than the animals. I watched all 20 vidioes and they all need help, infact all shelters everywhere need help. The idea that Washington County Humane Society did not even get in the top 3 is totally unbelievable. They did everything right, they went up and beyond the requirements needed to win. The only one's that won were zootoo!!! If you want to run a fair contest, a million dollars can buy a lot, do a contest that evenly distributes among all 20 finalist instead of giving a lot to one and crumbs to the rest. Mr. Thompson I think you need to rethink your contests and start really thinking about all the animals and not zootoo!!!

I totally agree with Anne M. I too feel it was just a promo for the zootoo website and supporters. I'm not being a sore loser either but not to even make the Top 3??

All the hard work and "points" meant NOTHING!??This is why I don't vote anymore.In the long run what the people want don't matter.How could you ignore such a HUGE point lead??This is NOT RIGHT!A grave injustice has been commited here!My trust in this site no longer exists.GRRRRRRR

I am dismayed, brokenhearted and somewhat angry that WAHS's winning ways were not recognized. After many months of hard work accumulating the required points, (in fact 2 and a half million points!!!) the supporters of WAHS are now discovering that this "contest" had little to do with community support. I feel that the contest was set up to promote ZooToo.com website and their sponsors. WHY was WAHS not even in the top 3 if "community support" was part of the criteria for the judges??
Over 16,000 people joined in to support WAHS and this shows real support. After the March 31st deadline I received an e-mail from ZooToo requesting a journal entry to show even more support for my shelter,....and it really didn't matter. I feel like I was fooled by ZooToo. I saw the Today show where R. Thompson stated that "the shelter with the most points wins." I am angry now that ZooToo wasted so much of our combined time and energy promoting his company website, when such vast amounts of time could have been used to work on fund-raising methods that would have netted WAHS some real money. The good side of this is that many shelters have found out that their supporters do care a lot and are becoming capable of raising funds on their own. The true winners are those who discovered that they have the ability to make a difference in their own lives and in the lives of the shelter animals who so desperately need love, food, and new parents. I hope the collective members/supporters of WAHS can dry their eyes, take a deep breath and come up with our own creative ways to make our dreams for a new or improved shelter happen. The momentum is still there. As for this "contest", all the shelters really deserved to win. I just feel that it should have been a lottery from the beginning so that extra work would mean extra entries, and luck would pick the winner from a drawing.

The last thing I want to do is sound like a sore loser but lets face it. The volunteers, the community, businesses big and small all pulled together like a good community should and really tried to make this happen. Do I think someone may need it more ...possibly but any nonprofit organization is in need. Do I think anyone deserved it more than Washington area humane society....NOT FOR ONE MINUTE!! Think about all the extra time,effort and love this area had to put in to receive that many more points. Look at our area population vs. the others that didn't come close points wise. I am extremely angry because I think EFFORT was not considered. To not even make it to the top 3 is absolutely unfair. You ask for need.. you saw it, you ask for points......we produced them, you ask for community support......We showed it. I must ask you Mr. Thompson simply for an explaination!

I am so disheartened today...so so many folks worked night and day to get us to the number 1 spot in the voting...my selfish side is brokenhearted that how can a shelter that overwhelmingly had such community support that launched them into the first place voting not even make it to the final 3???? I can only say, I've never been more PROUD of such a non-profit organization as I am in the WAHS!!! Those folks worked diligently in getting those animals recognized, getting that shelter much deserved recognition, and getting community support....Hats off to you all who love animals so much you lived, slept and breathed Zootoo to try to capture the grand prize! I hope the community leaders, and surrounding communities continue to step up and support the WAHS even though they lost their quest to get that makeover. I think we have million dollar winners already taking care of that shelter...and i hope that our communities will step up and offer this shelter its full support....I feel like a winner, everytime i look into the eyes of those animals and see a tail wagging...Thank you so much WAHS for being there!!! Now, my unselfish side...truly wishes the finalists good luck for their animal's sakes.....But I cant help pulling for Marietta Ohio!!! LOL!!

I just can't believe this...
It is nice that the community has become more aware of the pets and of the shelter. Let's hope that the community can continue to show support. The shelter needs so much TLC...

I am sad also....but dont worry another shelter makeover contest coming this summer.We all can try again for that one........WTG top 3 shelters.

I can't believe we didn't even get into the top 3

Oh My I cannot take this waiting anymore.....I have no finger nails left.........I hope they post something today on who the 17 or 18 runner ups are.WTG all !!!!!!!!!!!

The top 3 finalists are being announced tomorrow.... I'm so anxious!

Well its a cold rainy mothers day and what a crowd of people thats showed up today looking for dogs....and to what a surprize some did get adopted today.
There are still alot of sad dogs that are still there wondering why they did not get picked yet.
All i know is that i am gonna keep on volunteering my heart out so all the dogs may get adopted.
Once again Thank You Zootoo!!!

Wow what a day..All dogs are in tip top shape and had a blast walking them today.
Kennel cough all cured and dogs were ready to be walked.
I was so happy that several were also adopted today!!!! OH YEAH!!!!!.Thanks again ZOOTOO....lots of people came in and were asking about the shelter makeover and what they can do to help.We are Million dollar winners.

I'm so anxious/excited! Less than a week until the 17 runners up and top 3 shelters are announced. . . . AHH! I hope WAHS is in the top 3!

Many thanks to radio station WJPA for all the help they have given us with this contest!!! The wonderful support at the Bea Cafe, as well as all the radio time the shelter has had over the years. Many, many thanks.

ZOOTOO ZOOTOO ZOOTOO.............THANK YOU !!!!!!!!!!!!!!! ZOOTOO ZOOTOO ZOOTOO......................THANK YOU !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Just wanted to share a cool experience and proof that this zootoo contest has given WAHS unprecedented exposure: At PetSmart's Adoptathon this weekend, just about everyone from the public came up to ask us about Zootoo and said they registered! How cool! A LOT of people from Washington County and Pittsburgh must now have more awareness that the shelter is here and what it does. Thank you so much ZOotoo!

I went to WAHS today and dogs are still under lock down and they said some dogs are sick and some are better.......hopefully this will soon be under control.

OH MY.........hope all is well with all those dogs.......with the strong team of people the WAHS has I am sure everything will be under control soon.
Imagine if you all get the grand prize in the makeover contest what you can do to prevent this from happening again.Good Luck!!!!!!!!!

Recently the dog section of the shelter had to be shut down until further notice due to possibly the dog flu.But the shelter staff have been working hard everyday to nip this situation in the butt.
I have never seen a shelter staff get together and help out these animals so much WAHS Kudos to your staff and volunteers and foster people you have.
Hope things get worked out for your shelter and You guys win the million dollar makeover.
Your entire community and surrounding communities has stepped up and helped and hope they all continue to help.
Remember all it all for those poor homeless animals.

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I thank Zootoo and Mr. Thompson's vision in bringing to light what my local shelter's needs are...It inspired me to go from just thinking about being a volunteer and actually got me up off that couch and take an active role by becoming a volunteer and cheerlead WAHS in the Zootoo contest. It was truly an inspirational experience and the Zootoo visit made you feel that any effort you lent WAHS was truly appreciated! Not only have i enjoyed the animals at the shelter, but got to meet some good-hearted folks from the community too! I believe what i witnessed during Zootoo's visit..it is true....you can build a village together!! May the shelter who is awarded the makeover do God's work for those deserving animals!!

This is really great the effort that people are putting into this. Washington should be proud. We should be able to get this. I think with the support that was shown that they should see that so many people want this and that the shelter really needs it.

As a volunteer at the WAHS and a teacher at Wylandville Elementary, I would like to personally thank Mr. Thompson and the Zootoo Staff for taking the time to share your vision with the students and teachers at our school. Everyone, including the students, teachers, custodians, families, and even the lunch staff, were thrilled to take part in helping the WAHS achieve a once in a life time opportunity. No matter who wins the final contest, we are all winners because of you. Not only has the WAHS gained a tremendous amount of community awareness and support, but our adoptions have increased and our volunteer list has grown exponentially as well. But most important, we have shown the children of our community that if we work together, we CAN make a difference.

I have a poem, written by Jim Willis. Maybe you have heard it before. In any event, I feel that it is very appropriate to share with you:

I looked at all the caged animals in the shelter…
The cast-offs of human society
I saw in their eyes love and hope, fear and dread, sadness and betrayal.
And I was angry.
“God,” I said, “this is terrible! Why don’t you do something?”
God was silent for a moment and then He spoke softly.
“I have done something,” He replied.
“I created You.”

Thank you Mr. Thompson for everything that you do!

Susan R.

What a great review. I'm so happy you guys enjoyed visiting us, and felt our overwhelming support and detication for our shelter. Our community has really pulled together to help our 4 legged friends. It was great pleasure meeting with all you at Zootoo. I've personally have learned a great deal from this experience, even if we don't get the makeover. We all pulled together and accomplished a lot to help those who cannot help themselves.....our animals. They need us to speak for them and we are doing that as a community. I'm glad you enjoyed ending your day at Wylandville Elementary, the children there are still talking about it. They are our future volunteers to help these animals and educating them about that now is the key. I want to thank you again Zootoo for this great contest that brought a community together and also for a wonderful website to learn more about the animal world.

What an amazing day that was!!! Organizations coming together in the community to help the shelter and local families (and animal lovers) donating food. I do think we have won in that the community is more aware of the shelter. It's so sad how some people only think purebred dogs or cats are good pets. Shelter dogs and cats are quite amazing and it is sad that some of them end up in our shelter. It would be really great if our shelter could have bigger faucilities to house the animals. We are a no-kill shelter (which is a great thing) but there is just no space for animals at times and it's sad to think what might happen to these wonderful animals. The makeover could really help us out.

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From the video of these people... they seem to be wonderful. The comment about "if another shelter dserves this over them god bless them and hope they spend the money wisely" - was really wonderful and i knew then these people really must be great people. :-D

Thank you very much Richard Thompson and Zootoo. I am a big supporter of WAHS and hope it wins the contest but I know that all of the shelters need help, so whoever wins will deserve it. I wasn't able to attend your reception but was there in spirit. We have a wonderful shelter and a wonderful community of supporters. Our volunteers are to be commended for putting forth so much time and effort. Zootoo has made me more aware of the plight of animal shelters and I will help support my shelter now and in the future. I may even volunteer in the future, although it takes a very strong person to do this, because I would take one look at the animals and want to take them all home! Thanks for all your time and hard work, everyone.

sweet!!!!!!!!!!

What a wonderful idea Richard Thompson had developing ZOOTOO and bringing animal lovers together across our great country. Whether we get the makeover or some other deserving animal shelter, everyone is a winner. Richard Thompson should be the "TIMES, MAN OF THE YEAR."

How can someone say this is a poorly run shelter? Every organization has its problems, but if you care you don't walk away instead you stay and try to make a difference. Over the years, I have met many wonderful people and animals through my association with the WAHS.

I have been volunteering with the WAHS for over 27 years. In 1980, our beloved Dalmation, Gidget passed away and I decided the next dog would come from an animal shelter, where I could "save-a-life." In those days when you adopted a dog or cat, you were literally saving a life. I started to do some advertising on local radio stations, listing pets for adoption and then shortly thereafter I joined the Board of Directors. In those days we were existing from month to month, wondering if we could meet the next months expenses. Due to the help of many wonderful volunteers and contributors, we started to grow. In 1980 we started the Spay/Neuter Clinic, added 9 large additional dog runs, added on an addition to enlarge the clinic and recouperation areas. In time the Falconi building and renovation of a buidling to house incoming cats was added. This could not be possible without a dedicated staff, volunteers and contributers. All 3 groups are equally important to the success of the shelter.

Our orginal building is in much of need of a makeover. The dog runs are in constant need of repairs and our cat adoption area has poor ventilation, only 3 windows for the 75 cats to see the world outside (they do not go for walks like the dogs do), some of them see only their cage as they await a caring person to give them a loving home, perhaps as long as a year. The steps make it hard for the elderly and handicapped to visit our cats.

I am proud of our hard-working staff and volunteers. It takes special, caring people to help animals. Thousands of hours went into making our Shelter #1 for the zootoo makeover and you all are to be commended for your dedication.

Patty G (soxykats)

THANK YOU..... Mr Thompson and Zootoo crew for a wonderful visit at our shelter.
I was glad to meet you and am also so proud of the awarness you brought not only to our community but awarness all across the united states.
I had tears in my eyes to see the support the shelter had and how the community pulled together for the homeless and shelter animals the day you arrived and i am sure now it will continue.
You Mr Thompson are a inspiration to all the hard working people whom try and hold these shelters together with what little they have and by having this Make over contest made all shelters even stronger.
I know our shelter was #1 in points and we all worked very very hard to make that happen but with you putting and your Zootoo site and contest made lots more people open thier eyes and come forward to help....from giving a dollar to donating food or voluntering to fostering and even repair and maintence.
Mostly all shelters need a make over and you and your Zootoo team have a very tough desicion to make.
If we dont get the Grand Prize I know then the shelter thats does needed it more...
As far as i am concerned just seeing you and your zootoo crew come out touring and visiting with the staff,volunteers,community and playing with some of the shelter animals was worth a million alone.

THANK YOU & KUDOS!!!!!!!! You Are The Best MR THOMPSON.

After I watched your tour video I couldn't believe the support you had from your community. It was touching seeing the children involved as much as the adults. I visited your shelter(years ago) and I know your location You are somewhat a country area-- and honestly I didn't think you had that many people living around there...lol Your community rallied in support for you like a family. My shelter was visited after yours and we are in close towns and cities and I admit the turn out wasn't anywhere near to yours. I was actually embaressed. You shelter had a community party for all to share, food music ,celebrities , everyone ! Our shelter has over 800 people who volunteer and work there but only a few were invited inside for h'odevoures. I did get a water and balloon.( I've volunteered for over 10 years)
Your small shelter has shown great character in responding to replies and even greater support to the animals as a whole. May you win #1...but as far as I see it --you are allready there with spirt and heart. WAHS, as many of the smaller shelters in the top ten contest have shown how caring should be...by the people,for the animals...One as all.

What a fabulous day!! It was a celebration of surrounding communities and dedicated volunteers coming together to help creatures that cannot fend for themselves. We have already won the contest in my mind because the increase in shelter awareness has had a such a positive impact. The increase in donations, volunteers and adoptions for our shelter was a win for all of us who care about the animals. I would really like to see WAHS win the big prize. It would be great if we could expand our facilities so that we could find homes for more dogs and cats. But if we do not win, I know that there is another shelter with needs even greater than ours.

I thank you Richard for giving us a venue to get the word out and pull the community together for the sake of our four legged friends. How true it was when you said 70% of people do not know where their local animal shelter is. NOW they know where we are and hopefully how they can help.
It was so amazing while we were setting up for the festivities at the shelter on Monday and Tuesday, people just stopped and got out of their cars and asked what they could do to help. Wow!!!!!!!!!!!
The outpouring of support on Tuesday just made me cry. The fact that adoptions have gone up and that there are more volunteers is a byproduct of us being able to promote Zootoo and get the word out about all shelters.
Regardless of who wins the million dollars, if every shelter has received the same support as we have, everyone's a winner. Thank you.

Where do I begin? It took Lauren a REALLY LONG TIME to get us involved. We felt that we had to focus our time and energy on sure things, and this contest seemed too far out of reach. At the beginning, all of our hopes were on being in the top 20. When you are supported by private donations and donation jugs scattered around Washington County, 5,000.00 is almost too much to hope for.

We started by registering on ZooToo and inviting friends. We asked those friends to not only invite at least 3 more of their friends, but to review products, services and news articles. When we made it to #20, we were on fire! We could not believe we had made our goal! There was still alot of time left in the contest, and where 5,000.00 could help alot 10,000.00 could do even more, so we focused on that #2 position.

In his journal enty, Topcat mentioned our ZooToo-A-Thon at the bean cafe. We were also permitted to set up laptops at 2 area home shows so that we could sign up people on the spot. We had the help and support of several local media outlets. TV stations 11, 4, 2 & local cable channel 7, Radio stations Froggy, KDKA & KJPA and Newspapers The Almanac, Observer Reporter, Pittsburgh Post Gazette & The Tribune all helped to make sure that everyone in South Western PA knew that we needed their help! Our local cable provider (ComCast) showed public service spots about us and ZooToo throughout the month of March, and asked their employees to get on- line to help us out!

As impossible at it had seemed just a few months ago, we moved into that #2 spot. Another fire was lit, and we charged ahead toward that #1 spot. Our "antique" computer system with very slow dial up could not handle the downloads and copies we needed, so we all had "homework" to do. When our home printers started running out of ink, we asked every business we could find with a copy machine to donate copies and we hit the streets. THANK YOU to every business, university and parking lot that allowed us to place flyers on cars! THANK YOU to every business that got their employees involved, put up posters and gave out ZooToo cards!

Before we had come close to blanketing the area, the greatest county in the country made WAHS #1!!! Six months ago, we were barely surviving. Phone calls were not returned and doors were closed to our requests for help. Now, we are the train everyone wants to get on. So - everyone jump on! We are not finished yet, this ride is just starting!! If you know of anyone - or any business - that has money to unload, send them our way. What a dream come true it would be to have such a huge outpouring of support that we no longer need that million dollars! Every shelter in this country has a need - or needs. GOOD LUCK to everyone, and keep up the GREAT work!!!

So glad he enjoyed his day at WAHS. I visited there from Arizona myself in March, and was so impressed with the positive spirit of everyone I met there. My sister-in-law introduced me to WAHS, as she is an enthusiastic supporter of their mission, and a very active volunteer.

Thank you so much to Richard and zootoo! You've brought awareness to so many animal shelters in need of resources and volunteers. And awareness to how many animals out there desperately need our help.

I am just so happy to be a part of zootoo and I thank you Richard for starting this wonderful and informative website. It has brought so much awareness not only to our shelter but to so many other shelters that are out there trying day by day to stay afloat. I believe this whole campaign across the nation is making and will continue to make people more aware of how many animals are out there that desperately need our help. It is not something that will happen overnight but if we continue to rally around Richard and his mission and do all that we have been doing down the road we will continue to see major improvements in this great nation when it comes to our four legged friends of all sizes and shapes and colors. One day at a time and one animal at a time we all will continue to make huge strides forward.

Richard you are a wonderful speaker and I believe you are going to make history. I'm not sure of what your exact expectations were when you had your vision and decided to start zootoo.com but give yourself a huge pat on the back. It is people like you that make it possible for us little people in the world to join together in order to bring change and make a difference. We could not do it without a leader like you.

It was great to see you in person on Tuesday at WAHS although I never had a chance to shake your hand, introduce myself or give you the enormous hug that you deserve.

Take care and best of luck to all the shelters you visit and have visted along the shelter makeover tour route.

Natalie
WAHS Volunteer

This is a very inspiring program. I'm so glad you have a new program for rescue groups and even more in the works.

Thank you Richard for your sincere efforts in bringing much needed exposure to shelters and the tough job they do. WAHS has already benefited from the zootoo contest with higher adoptions and more volunteers.

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I just want to say a big "thank you" to you, Richard, and your professional makeover crew for spending so much time with us yesterday. I know we had a great deal planned for you and your crew to see and do, and I was very impressed at how you continued to answer questions even tho' you had a deadline to meet and must have been tired. I also thought you captured our spirit in your journal entry, thank you for your kind words. I don't envy your job right now, having such a momentous decision to make, when every shelter could use some help, but I do envy your ability to make things happen. I, for one, will stay connected to ZooToo and try to fulfill the dream of having a million advocates for animals, it is a wonderful vision and I know that if we all work together we can make it happen. Thank you so much for all the work you are doing and for visiting our shelter. I wish you safe traveling, it was a priviledge to meet all of you.

We are local residents and are very happy to have the WAHS in our area. We have been volunteers for over 30 years and are pleased to be associated with this fine shelter. The staff tries their very best in situations & we are greatful to them all. We have seen the shelter overcome many hardships and problems over the years & is still standing. We are very glad to see ZOOTOO involved and bringing us closer together in our battle to find homes and love and care for all the unwanted animals. We have been extremely glad that we found our dog Maggie at the WAHS. She was tossed out of a black van into the WAHS parking lot (like a throwaway dog) & the people in the shelter took her in and cared for her. We fostered her for one week and decided we had found her a home-with us!! I hope you decide to give our WAHS this much needed makeover so that they can continue their good work. It was a wonderful celebration when you visited. Thank you!

It was good to finally meet you Richard and your crew. After viewing many of the videos it is clear that the entire nation needs a shelter makeover and the public needs an education. Pets and animal husbandry has only recently become a conversation and you have afforded us a new forum for expanding the flow of information. It is a long, uphill battle to teach the world that animals are not disposable, to impress upon them the value of spaying and neutering and to give them the intellectual tools they need to manage the pets they bring into their lives.

As our shelter manager so graciously stated, if a shelter who needs it more than us gets it, then we good for them. And in fact, good for us all, because improvements in any shelter lightens to load on all other shelters.

As much as I believe WAHS deserves this makeover and that the animals' lives will be enhanced by any significant improvement in their temporary home with us, we will never stop trying to make it the best we can with what we have to work with.

Yesterday, when Zootoo came to the shelter..... WOW! What an awesome experience! I had tears in my eyes during the more "official" part of the ceremony with the presentation of awards and such. Mr. Thompson was just so down to earth and cool and got me so excited and hopeful about helping homeless animals during his speech. ( I was one of the top point earners at Bean Cafe that was supposed to meet you, Mr. Thompson, but my nerves got the best of me and I was too shy to introduce myself. I apologize!) The event yesterday seriously blew me away. I would never have imagined that we would have so many people there to support us, let alone local politicians speaking and people giving suprise donations. It was so heartwarming and uplifting.
During my time as a volunteer at WAHS, a few things stick out in my mind.... For example, this fall we ran out of donated paper towels and toilet paper and it was concerning to us all bc we use so much and hoped not to have to dip into shelter funds for it. Then in November, we put up Angel Trees with our wish list on them at a few local businesses, and we STILL have tons of paper towel and toilet paper!
And I think about Mojo, a dog in his "golden years", who waited for a forever home for over a year at our shelter. He never did find a forever home, but he was in foster care at Camp Bow Wow for the last three months of his life, enjoying himself and being loved. He passed away in early March due to heart conditions, among other things.... surrounded by love and always given medical attention and good care.... this is a true testament to the dedication of a no kill shelter with a HUGE heart!
I remember when the furnace broke and everyone was upset and disheartened at the financial blow. I remember when we converted what was once a much needed storage room for blankets and supplies into a puppy room so that we could take in more animals and save more lives.
I think of those memories, just to name a few, and then think about the hundreds of supporters, streamers, balloons, and posters yesterday.... and the board, staff, volunteers, and community joined together. What hope!!!!!!!!!! To go from me losing sleep about paper towels to being apart of a huge celebration of animal rescue and love is such a transition! The best was the staff and volunteers doing the "electric slide" in the parking lot. Wish I had it on video!
This whole experience has been so cool. No matter who wins the makeover (of course I still hope it is us) we truly all do win if we stay excited, stay hopeful, and keep working at unity between organizations and shelters. I know that what we animal shelter people see on a daily basis can wear you down and make one lose faith in humanity at times, but I think all this proves how much we can do, when we are able to pull in thousands of supporters to a website to help animals.
Thanks Zootoo, and thanks Mr. Thompson!!!!!!!! We have very much the same dreams for what the future could be like for the situation with companion animals.... let's hope we see the day when animal shelters are no longer needed! Thank you for putting your energy and so many resources into achieving that vision, and for giving a major public voice to the animals. That's exactly the sort of things America's animals need, but that they can't do for themselves.

I just want to thank everyone here who has supported WAHS and those of you who are not even from around here. I have met a lot of great people on this website. I recognized many animal friends who have recently written some wonderful comments. Thank you again for your support and friendship. In all reality, it doesn't matter who wins, because the animals win in the long run no matter where they are at!

Sounds to me like they did a great job to receive help from ZooToo! This is nice to hear, I still want Danbury Animal Welfare to win though...we really really need it!

All I have to say is WOW.....I was pleased to meet with Mr Thompson and his Zootoo crew......I was so amazed on how everyone from zootoo and Mr Thompson took the time to mingle with the public and even play with the shelter animals.
My husband and I are Volunteers for the shelter which has become our second home to us.
All I can say is that WAHS since the contest started used every ounce of energy to put out the word for the ZooToo contest and make it improtant to the general public that this is all for the homeless animals.....and it worked.
In my eyes all shelters are winners......I wish all shelters can get the Million dollar makeover.
Thank You Mr Thompson for this great contest and opening all communities eyes wide open about homeless animals.

I am a new volunteer at the WAHS which was a direct result of the zootoo contest and I feel so much gratification because of it. I always loved animals and have three of my own, but now I feel like I am making an impact for all those others that are less fortunate.
It was an absolute pleasure and honor meeting you, Richard, yesterday at WAHS. Your energy and dedication to this cause is contagious and you really are a master motivator. If every citizen could hear you speak in person, there would no unwanted animals and no need for shelters!
What you are doing is great and we at WAHS would be outstanding ambassadors and a shining star to zootoo if given the opportunity of this makeover. Our shelter is here to stay with the strong backing of our community, which is evidenced by the great amount of zootoo points we had and our first place in the contest; the commitment of our local and state politicians, who yesterday voiced commitment and on-going support to our mission; and our business community who have offered acreage, funds and supplies for improvements and the necessary manpower to accomplish them. I only hope that in considering your final decision, you look at these positives as the needed elements to make the first zootoo makeover shelter a tremendous success and not as an indication that we do not desperately need to win this contest.
With your $1 million makeover, we can create the model shelter which would be welcoming to everyone - a clean and professional space that would encourage people to adopt these loving creatures. We could also implement community programs for the good and welfare of animals everywhere. Being situated in a rural/farming area, we could even introduce programming outside of dogs and cats.
I hope that you and your crew viewed WAHS as a strong shelter meeting all of the criteria that you set forth in the contest.
Again thank you for what you are doing and for taking the time you spent with all of us. I also want to thank your crew - they are awesome and I'm sure that I am not the only person jealous of their jobs. You have assembled a very special group of people to help you with this project.
No matter who wins - we are all winners because of zootoo!

I am so excited that Zootoo came to see our shelter and community support. I do have to say that I did not get to go for the celebration though, it is my only day that I work. I have been a big supporter of Zootoo and getting the word out . I hope that we are the winner, it probably is a tough choice, but the need IS here and the support IS here. It is great to see that adoption is up and those surprise donations were made. I can probably guess though that we are in desperate need of more......The makeover! I didn't realize that the cat house was no longer being used, that is too bad. It has been a while since I have been there. I will keep hoping and praying that we win! PLEASE PICK WASHINGTON HUMANE SOCIETY!!!!!!!

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No matter which shelter wins the makeover, the real winners are the animals. In that sense, nobody loses, all the shelters, top 20 or not, get publicity, animals get help, & everybody wins!

The Cat Castle, mentioned above, is now an abandoned building. It was considered unsafe and condemned years ago after flooding from Hurricane Ivan. The building will actually be leveled and destroyed, whenever we might be able to come up with extra cash to get that done. The Cat Castle is NOT an asset. The cats are now in a small upstairs room.

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The Washington area humane society has had some significant recent, political unrest. The board members currently sport a husband and wife!
Nepotism is NOT allowed in either of the other 3 animal shelters in the Pittsburgh region. The board lost several members in the last 6 months due to certain few members basically BUYING votes by paying only the current $10 shelter membership fee and thereby stacking the board with their cronies.
The CAT CASTLE has been overcome with ringworm, employees cannot get along and they became "NO KIll"almost overnight in order to enhance their fundraising strategy.
The other shelters on the list seem in more dire straits than this poorly run and politically run organization

I TOO WAS AT THE CELEBRATION TODAY. IT WAS GREAT. ALL THE COMMUNITY SUPPORT HAS BEEN OVERWHELMING. IT WAS THE BEST TO SEE THE DONATIONS FROM LOCAL COMPANIES. THE SUN WAS OUT AND EVERYONE HAD SMILES AND CHEERS FOR THE ZOOTOO GROUP. I HOPE THAT WE IN WASHINGTON COUNTY IMPRESSED THE COMMITTEE!! YOU GO WASHINGTON HUMANE SOCIETY AND GOOD LUCK!

Thank you Richard and all the sponsors and zootoo crew for this contest!

We really hope you pick our great shelter as it needs lots of tender loving care; but this contest is a win-win situation. You have helped both our four legged friends and our two legged friends come together and grow in community involvement and spirit. I hope everyone maintains the level of community spirit and volunteerism long after the contest is over. :)

It was a great pleasure meeting you today and I am very glad that you and your crew enjoyed both your welcome and departing send offs.

We can't wait to see you again in May to throw that pitch! ;)

From one volunteer to the others and the staff of WAHS; THANK YOU for all the hard work in making today what I feel was a HUGE success in all aspects from what I could view and hear. Also, thank you for your dedication to the shelter all year round!

God Bless everyone, four and two legged! See you at the next volunteer meeting! :)

That's awesome that there's so much support for our local shelter. I really hope that WAHS can get that makeover, because they already do so much with what they have there, and I can't wait to see how much more they'll be able to do with the award.