One dedicated animal shelter volunteer is going to win $25,000 to give their shelter a makeover from Cat Chow as part of the online "Building Better Lives" contest.
The volunteers in the running are from animal shelters across the country. Internet users are encouraged to vote for the volunteer with the best cat rescue story on Chat Chow to help determine who will be awarded money to give their shelter a makeover.
One volunteer nominee, Sue Barna, takes care of 40 cats at the Dearborn Animal Shelter in Michigan. For six years she mopped the shelter floors, tidied up and emptied the cat litter boxes - as well as then just petting and playing with the cats.
"It's just an honor to volunteer there. I just love it," Barna told Detroit Free Press of Dearborn. "I was at that shelter just as soon as I could. I take it very, very seriously."
Another nominee, Barbara Moore, from Alaqua Animal Refuge in Florida, who also spends her time cleaning her shelter and providing special care to cats, could take home the $25,000 grand prize.
Moore says her favorite time of day is "when she is able to give the kitties extra love," according to her bio on Chat Chow.
All of the nominees have heartwarming stories about dedicating their time to these animals without forever homes.
Although all of the stories are touching there will only be one winner. As of the publication of this article the top 10 volunteers were Gudrun Williamson, of Paris Animal Welfare Society in Kentucky; Lauren Godail, of Animal Rescue New Orleans (ARNO) in Louisiana; Liz Taranda, of Clifton Animal Shelter in New Jersey; Shan Sirry, of Franklin County Humane Society Inc. in Virginia; Sue Barna, of Friends for the Dearborn Animal Shelter in Michigan; Barbara Moore, of Alaqua Animal Refuge, Inc. in Florida; Susie Kummer, of Open Door Animal Sanctuary in Missouri; Bob Anderson, of Cat Adoption Team in Oregon; Susie Kummer, of Open Door Animal Sanctuary in Missouri; Desiree Muench, of Hillside S.P.C.A., Inc. in Pennsylvania; and Sandy Barnett, of South Suburban Humane Society in Illinois.
Check out their inspiring stories and vote for your favorite here.
