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Hernando Today

Pet Expo Will Be Rally For Shelter Makeover

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By TONY MARRERO

Hernando Today

Published: March 20, 2009

BROOKSVILLE - The annual Pet Expo will also be a pep rally this year for the Humane Society of the Nature Coast's efforts to win a million-dollar building makeover from a Web site for pet enthusiasts.

Organizers are asking supporters of the no-kill shelter to show up in force at the event, slated for 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at Tom Varn Park in Brooksville.

Richard Thompson, the founder and chief executive officer of zootoo.com, will be in Brooksville on Saturday to tour the shelter at Mobley and Wiscon roads to judge its worthiness for the makeover.

But first Thompson will visit the pet expo to get a feel for one of the events the Humane Society helps make a reality. He'll be there around 12:30 p.m., and the shelter's executive director, Joanne Schoch, hopes many people will show up with signs and wearing the facility's official colors of black, red and white.

The shelter's cramped conditions will surely make an impact on Thompson, but public support is also a key factor in Thompson's decision, Schoch said.

"For anyone who was ever frustrated hearing we don't have any room, now's a good time to act," Schoch said.

The shelter has already earned a spot in the top 20 of the more than 2,000 pet care facilities that entered the contest. They're now guaranteed at least $5,000, and there are several large money prizes for runners up.

Once zootoo.com officials tour all the facilities, they pick the top 10 and then the public votes.

The Humane Society made it to the top 20 because supporters logged onto the Web site and designated the shelter as their pet entry of choice. The more active they were on the site, the more points the Humane Society collected.

Schoch is thanking the public by offering free admission to the pet expo. Admission was $5 last year.

As for the expo, it will offer dog owners the opportunity to enter their pets in a lure chase. There will be pet photographers, and for $10 pet owners can enter their own photos to be included in the shelter's Open Hearts calendar.

Vendors will offer pet goods and services, and there will be plenty of food and entertainment, Schoch said.

If you go

WHAT: The Humane Society of the Nature Coast's Annual Pet Expo.

WHEN: 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday, March 21.

WHERE: Tom Varn Park, 306 Darby Lane, Brooksville.

ADMISSION: Free.

CONTACT: Joanne Schoch, 796-2711.

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

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