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By TONY MARRERO

The Tampa Tribune

Published: February 6, 2009

Hernando Today

BROOKSVILLE - The Humane Society of the Nature Coast continues to climb up the rankings in the race for a million-dollar shelter makeover thanks to an army of online team members.

Now those who want to help the shelter continue its momentum but weren't sure how can get a face-to-face lesson.

Volunteers will be on hand at eight local businesses this Saturday, Feb. 7, and Monday, Feb. 9, to explain how the contest works and how to register on zootoo.com.

The Web site for pet lovers is giving away the $1 million makeover to one animal care facility in the United States. To get to the next phase of the contest, the Humane Society must collect enough points to be in the top 20 out of more than 2,600 organizations.

Sounds daunting, but consider this: On Thursday, the shelter was in the 24th position. That's 10 places better than it was two weeks ago.

The public is making it happen. Visitors log on to the site and register, designating the shelter they are supporting. Visitors earn points for their shelter simply by registering, but rack up more points by being more active on the site.

Joanne Schoch, the shelter's director, said Humane Society loyalists have been visiting every day, racking up points by checking out chat groups, journals, photos, question-and-answer forums and classified ads, among other features.

Businesses that have been supportive already are stepping up by offering space Saturday and Monday for volunteers to promote the effort and spread a little ZooToo knowledge.

"So many people want to help, but they say they keep telling us they don't know anything about it," Schoch said.

The top 20 points earners become semi-finalists. During phase two, ZooToo and its advisers tour all of the shelters to get a sense of their needs and select 10 finalists. In the third phase, the public votes for the most deserving shelter.

The first runner up wins a whopping $195,000. The second runner up gets $25,000 and the rest of the seven finalists get $10,000. The other 10 semi-finalists receive $5,000 each.
ZooToo will get a closer look at the shelter this month when representatives come to film its Heart to Heart fundraiser. Local volunteers spend at least 24 hours in the shelter's dog kennel. That fundraiser runs Feb. 15-21, with an open house on Feb. 16 to celebrate Schoch's birthday. No gifts are required but a donation to the shelter is requested.

Here's a rundown of the locations for the ZooToo education effort. Volunteers will be on hand from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. this Saturday and Monday except where noted:

• Publix, 9595 Commercial Way, Weeki Wachee (Glen Lakes Plaza).

• Petco, 7223 Coastal Blvd., Brooksville.

•Cortez Community Bank, 1000 S. Broad St., Brooksville (9 a.m. to noon).

•Cortez Community Bank, 13080 Spring Hill Drive, Spring Hill (9 a.m. to noon).

• The Breakfast Club, 148 Mariner Blvd., Spring Hill (Southern Hills Plaza).

•The Breakfast Club, 10150 U.S. 19, Port Richey (Outback Plaza).

• Mariner Lanes, 3544 Mariner Blvd., Spring Hill.

•Complete Technology Solutions, 4662 Commercial Way, Spring Hill (Berkley Manor Square).

•Best Western, 30307 Cortez Blvd., Brooksville (just west of I-75; Monday only).

•and the Humane Society of the Nature Coast, 7200 Mobley Road, Brooksville.

For more information, call Schoch at 796-2711.

Reporter Tony Marrero can be reached at 352-544-5286 or lmarrero@hernandotoday.com.

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