Most who have visited the Newberry County Animal Shelter will agree that it

needs improvement. While the desire is there, county funds are short.

But Animal Care and Control Director Deena Hallman may have a grant solution

to help the shelter.

The Animal Rescue Web site www.theanimalrescuesite.com provides food for

more than 27 million animals in shelters through companies advertising on its

site.

Through July 26 the site is giving away 60 grants totaling more than $100,000.

Each week, weekly prizes will be given. At the end of the campaign, a $20,000 grant will be given and one shelter in each state will receive $1,000.

Hallman says she has put in overtime contacting supporters asking that they

vote in the online contest.

Her efforts have paid off with the local shelter going from 14th in the

state list to five. Coincidentally, just ahead of the Newberry shelter is an organization called Greyhound Crossroads, which is a organization providing homes for retired racing greyhounds that is headquartered in Chappells.

To vote go to theanimalrescuesite.com, at the top of the page will be a purple box asking viewers to click to give free food and care. Another page will appear saying "thanks." Go to the bottom of this page and click to vote for the shelter grant. Another box will ask for the name of the shelter, the state and city it is in. Fill out the information and submit.

One vote per computer is allowed each day.