St. Louis Million Dollar Shelter Makeover in Full Swing

July 29, 2008

Stray Rescue of St. Louis won Zootoo’s Million Dollar Shelter Makeover in May, and now construction is in full swing. (Pet Pulse Photo by Tim Mattson)

ST. LOUIS -- Zootoo’s Million Dollar Shelter Makeover Contest winner was announced in May and now the project awarding the winning facility is in full swing.

The dream of a new shelter is a few bricks closer to becoming a reality for Stray Rescue of St. Louis. Before a crowd of supporters, demolition on the current structure began July 15 with crews calling in heavy machinery to plow down internal walls and gut the building.

Stray Rescue founder Randy Grim and Zootoo founder Richard Thompson even got in on the action by lending a hand with dueling sledge hammers.

“Bringing shelters and communities together is what it’s all about,” Thompson said.

With building plans finalized, the Million Dollar Shelter Makeover is expected to be finished by the end of October. Since the contest, the local community has been coming out to support Stray Rescue. Events are planned for every weekend for the next couple months to help raise additional funds for the shelter.

“Thank you to the community for all your help and support,” Grim told those gathered at the construction site.

The makeover is being filmed as a pilot for a new reality TV show.

Now that Zootoo’s first Million Dollar Shelter Makeover Contest was a success, the second edition is in the works. The next version promises even more lives being changed and saved.

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