TBO.com - TBO is Tampa Bay Online

A Million Reasons To Try New Web Site

ADVERTISEMENT

By KRISTEN LEVINE, Tribune correspondent

Published: February 23, 2008

How many clicks does it take to help a local animal shelter win a $1 million makeover? We'll know in 37 days, when a new opinion-sharing Web site, Zootoo.com, tallies up the points.

Through online community support, one shelter will win a $1 million dollar renovation and 19 others will receive cash prizes toward improvements.

The contest celebrates the launch of Zootoo, a social networking site for pet owners. Created in the aftermath of last year's pet-food recall, Zootoo states that its goal "is to create a safe and fun place where real pet lovers can interact and help pets in the process."

The site hopes that interaction will force pet-industry improvements by allowing every pet owner to share experiences and opinions on thousands of products, foods, treats and services provided by veterinarians, breeders, clinics and more.

"Zootoo is about the pet lovers," founder Richard C. Thompson says. "Because the pet lovers are the ones that can go to the Internet, not the pets. Pet lovers can help their own pets - all pets - by doing so. Obviously, the more people that log on and share opinions and experiences, the more valuable this space becomes to the pet owner."

CEO No Stranger To Pet Business
Thompson is the former CEO ("Top Cat") of Meow Mix Co. Thompson, who was named an Ernst & Young entrepreneur of the year in the 1990s, especially enjoys his pet-business ventures.

"It's an industry with a lot of emotion, a lot of passion and a lot of people that just really love what they're doing," he says.
Zootoo is aiming for a presence the likes of YouTube, Google or Amazon.

The Shelter Makeover Contest was designed to get pet owners into the site. And needy animal shelters will be among the first to benefit.

"During my years in the pet-food industry, I've seen the dedication and commitment of the people who keep our shelters operating and who save the lives of thousands of animals every day," Thompson says. "Yet despite all their hard work, many shelters lack the financial resources and manpower to provide a proper place for animals to live while pursuing the ultimate goal: finding a permanent, loving home for every pet."

In addition to opinions, Zootoo will offer pet news from around the globe, with the Tampa Bay area highlighted several times a week. Local viewers will hear from a familiar voice. Victoria Lim, former consumer reporter for WFLA, News Channel 8, will cover the pet beat for Zootoo.

Lim, now a freelance video journalist, will cover anything and everything that has to do with pets and animals, including issues, consumer stories (her favorite, of course), products and features.

Seven Bay area animal shelters are participating in the makeover contest. So far, none are near the top 20 in point standings, where they need to be to fetch the grand prize (or one of 19 not-so-shabby runner-up prizes.)

"Most of the points won so far have come from the promotional efforts of the shelters themselves," Marcello De Luca, CEO of Zootoo, says in a prepared statement. "Imagine what could happen if the mayor, the local media and community activists all got behind this opportunity to help their local animal shelter? Anyone could win - up to the last day of the contest."

Pet Lovers, Start Your Mice

You have till March 31 to help your shelter win.

First, go to Zootoo.com and register. Then pick the shelter you're clicking for:

•Humane Society of Tampa Bay, Tampa

•Humane Society of Pinellas, Clearwater

•Pet Pal Rescue, St. Petersburg

•SPCA Tampa Bay, Largo

•SPCA of West Pasco (SPCA Suncoast), New Port Richey

•Polk County Animal Control, Winter Haven

•SPCA of Polk County, Lakeland

Rack up points by:

•Registering, 100 points

•Reviewing a product or service, 20 points

•Commenting on news, 8 points

•Adding a video review, 40 points

•Referring a friend, 100 points

CRITTER CALENDAR

WHO'S WALKING WHOM? Learn to take more enjoyable walks with your dog at a seminar hosted by Stop Pet Overpopulation Together (SPOT) from 1 to 3 p.m. Thursday at the Pinellas Park Library, 7770 52nd St. Trainer Maria Ryan will help dog owners teach their pets to stop pulling on the leash, and she'll offer tips on preventing bites. RSVP at (727) 545-3463. For details, go to spotusa.org.

FREE FIX: Low-income pet owners can get their animal spayed or neutered for free through the Society for Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Tampa Bay. Through Friday, the organization and area veterinarians will provide 100 surgeries for people who can prove eligibility. Bring last year's IRS Form 1040 to apply at the shelter, 9099 130th Ave N., Largo. Call (727) 586-3591 or go to www.spcafl.org.

MEMORIAL SERVICE: Join Bay area law enforcement officers at Curlew Hills Memory Gardens Pet Cemetery at 4 p.m. Tuesday as two retired Pinellas County Sheriff's Office canines are laid to rest. Their remains will join those of 12 other canine officers buried there in a Heroes Garden. The cemetery is at 1750 Curlew Road, Palm Harbor. Call (727) 789-2000 or go to curlewhillspetcemetery.com.

Share this:

Loading Comments...

Email Print

ADVERTISEMENT