Vote Online to Help Humane Society of O.C. Win $25,000

The Humane Society of Ocean City is a finalist in a national contest that could bring the animal shelter a grand prize worth $30,000 — including $25,000, a new computer, new iPad and a variety of products.

The shelter was chosen as a finalist based on nominations from the public and a variety of criteria related to its successful work as a shelter.

Members of the public will decide the winner in online voting.

__________

Vote online now to help the Humane Society of Ocean City. __________

The HomeAgain Helps Shelter of the Year contest is sponsored by Home Again, a Merck company that specializes in microchip and pet recovery services. The contest is designed to "celebrate the vital work that animal shelters provide to pets, people and their communities."

The contest includes eight finalists, and descriptions of the shelters and their work are included on the contest website: homeagainhelps.com.

Four runners-up will receive $2,500, a new computer, a new iPad and a suite of Merck Animal Health products.

The winners will be announced the week of Nov. 3, the start of National Shelter Appreciation Week.

The no-kill shelter in Ocean City:

• Hosts a weekly spay/neuter day and a once-a-month feral cat clinic
• Offers behavioral training sessions for adopted dogs with certified dog trainers
• Manages pet therapy programs to visit schools and nursing homes
• Uses social media to promote public awareness, the benefits of microchipping, spay/neuter and disease prevention as well as communicating food recalls and weather warnings and precautions
• Rescues and rehabilitates injured wildlife
• Trains employees to assist Animal Control Officers who specialize in animal rescue and disaster relief in a community that has seen three disasters in six years, including Hurricanes Sandy and Irene.