By MADDY VITALE
There is some major competition up at the Ocean City Music Pier for who should become “Pet of the Year” in the Humane Society of Ocean City’s contest.
A photo collage of dogs and one cat has been prominently displayed since August for animal lovers to make their selection and drop a donation in for their favorite contestant. People have until Sept. 24 to cast their vote.
The contest is more than just who will become top dog — or cat. It will help animals who have yet to be adopted. Each year, the Pet of the Year contestants together have raised anywhere from $8,000 to $18,000 to help feed and care for the HSOC shelter animals, explained Phil Bellucci, HSOC operations manager.
Photos and bios of all of the contestants can be viewed on the HSOC Facebook page. Some of their stories will warm even the hardest of hearts.
“The real special part of the event is to read the heartwarming stories of the pets and their humans,” Bellucci said. “There is a saying, ‘who rescues who,’ and hearing the love that the people have for their pets, and listening to how they changed each other’s lives, is a true testament to the unique bond that we all share with our pets — whether dog, cat, rabbit, bird, snake, horse or other animal.”
Here are just a few touching stories of this year’s contestants. Their photos are courtesy of HSOC.
Senior dogs, Ben and Jerry, are each around 9 years old and are possibly brothers. They spent a year and a half at HSOC after being found as strays.
They were so bonded that when two sisters came looking for a dog after their pooch past away, they ended up taking the two boys. Now the four of them live happily in their Lower Township home.
Then there is Sophie, a pretty white cat who is anywhere from five to seven years old. Her bio details some of her tough beginnings. She came from a hoarding situation where she was one of three blind cats rescued from the home, who ended up in HSOC’s care.
She also has no teeth since many were rotted and had to be removed. While her life started off rough, her new dad “is my very bestest friend ever. He lets me sleep on him, ride around on his shoulders and sometimes I even like to perch on top of his head while he drinks his morning coffee.”
Riley is a case in which HSOC was able to find him a forever home, but it turned into a two-year home and the mixed breed dog was returned.
“We see a lot here at HSOC, but it truly broke our hearts to see our sweet Riley returned to the shelter after being in a home for over two years,” the bio read.
He was back, and the team settled Riley back in the shelter until the perfect new home came along. “Riley settled right in! He loves staying home with Mark all day, he is known for napping,” according to the bio.
In addition to Ben and Jerry, Sophie and Riley, there are nine other special contestants, Amelia, Asbury, Cami, Clyde, Hubble, Milo, Rocket, Shoobie and Tito, each with emotional and heartfeld bios. To read their bios visit the HSOC Facebook page.
Each pet has a sponsor. In addition to voting at the Music Pier, donations are also being accepted online by clicking this link, http://hsocnj.org/online-donation.
People may also stop by HSOC at 1 Shelter Road in Ocean City daily from 11 a.m. until 3 p.m. and leave a donation/vote with one of the staff, Bellucci said.
He explained the history of the annual fundraiser and how pleased he is with how it has grown.
HSOC took over the “Dog of the Year” contest back in 2017.
“Of course, because all pets are amazing, we felt the need to change the name to Pet of the Year,” Bellucci said.
The crowning of the Pet of the Year will be announced in front of the Music Pier on Oct. 21. Finalists will help lead the pack and kick off the Howl-o-ween pet parade on the Boardwalk.
“The Pet of the Year is one of our favorite events and now that it is piggybacked with our Barks on the Boards and big Howl-o-ween Pets and Humans Parade, Oct. 21, it is an off-the-charts day,” Bellucci said.
While there can only be one official winner of the contest, he said every one of the contestants are winners.
“The 12 contestants are all winners as they secure sponsors, put out buckets, and fundraise for the animals in our shelter and our mission of finding loving, forever homes for domestic animals, while helping to answer countless calls for wildlife rescues throughout the year,” Bellucci said.
To vote, just place a donation in the tub of your favorite entry at the Music Pier or view the individual candidates on HSOC’s Facebook page and cast your vote or stop in the shelter to vote.
