The owner of Meow-Mix Cat Food is promoting a contest called zootoo makeover, in which the top 20 entrants are eligible for a makeover of up to $1 million.

The Washington-Wilkes Animal Shelter is participating in the contest and is currently number 32 out of the more than 3,500 entrants. The shelter has been as high as number 15. Other prizes are a $10,000 and $5,000 cash pay-out to the top 20.

The Washington-Wilkes Shelter is asking the help of the community to try to win this makeover. "Times are hard for everyone," says Gloria Wheatley on behalf of the shelter. "The shelter is in desperate need of repair and rebuilding and this is an excellent opportunity to get this done with no financial investment to the people of our community."

Winners of the contest are determined by a system of points. Wheatley urges citizens to go to zootoo. com/makeover and sign on, and to make sure that they validate their log-on by following all of the directions. The deadline for the contest is March 31.

Information on how to accumulate points is supplied on the website.

Anyone who has questions concerning these instructions or any part of the contest may also call the Washington-Wilkes Shelter at 706-678-2287.