Editor, Recently, I adopted a lovely miniature schnauzer, Barron, from the Liberty Humane Animal Shelter. How a fine animal like that ended up as a stray with long, matted hair is beyond all understanding. He is loving, obedient and has captured my heart.  
When I went to the shelter to look at Barron, my attention was immediately drawn to the appalling conditions there. It is not the fault of any of the workers — they are doing the best they can with what they have. It is just that there is not enough money to adequately house and care for the animals and have nice facilities as well. However, there is hope.  
Our shelter ended up in the top 20 nationwide in Zootoo’s contest to win a $1 million shelter makeover. A representative from Zootoo visited our shelter and now we are waiting for an announcement in April that will let us know if our shelter has made it into the top 10 semifinalist group. If that happens, and we certainly hope it will, then there will be nationwide voting to determine which shelter will win the $1 million makeover.  
In order for us to win in the national voting, we need many more affiliates to join Zootoo so they can vote for our shelter. How can you become an affiliate? It’s very easy: go to www.zootoo.com and register. It is free and there are loads of interesting activities on the Web site. Remember to choose the Liberty Humane Shelter as your affiliated shelter.  
We really need to pull together to make this happen. School classes, scout groups and church groups can all participate in this great cause. Barron and I thank you for helping the other animals at the shelter who have not been as fortunate as he was. Please feel free to call me for further information.