Julie Lanie of New Iberia gets a smooch from Rocket, part basset hound and part labrador retriever, Thursday at the Iberia Humane Society Shelter. People can support the shelter by voting for it in a contest that could result in cash donations to the winners.

Teche Area residents can help support their local animal shelter with just a few clicks of a button during a summer contest sponsored by Care2.com, ASPCA and Adopt-a-Pet.com.

A total of $30,000 is being donated to shelters and other animal rescue facilities through the “America’s Favorite Shelter” contest.

Shelters that receive the most votes on Care2.com’s website will be awarded $15,000 to help with maintenance costs. Second-place winners will receive $7,000 and third-place winners will be awarded $3,000. 

Care2 has listed its most-voted for shelters in the contest thus far, which include facilities in Joplin, Mo., where there are 900 homeless pets (see related story on Page A4) and Meridian, Miss.

Each week the website is randomly selecting participating shelters to win $500.

Dayna Perry, director of Angel Paws Adoption Center, which is Iberia Humane Society’s new title, said the contest is good way to promote community shelters.

“I like the promotion because you don’t have to buy anything or do anything to vote,” Perry said. “And any shelter that wins is a win overall.”

“I like the promotion because you don’t have to buy anything or do anything to vote. And any shelter that wins is a win overall.”

She said she plans to post a link to the contest on Angel Paws’ Facebook page in encourage community involvement.

Shelter volunteer Julie Lanie said she plans to spread the word to her friends and family about the online contest.

The Troy Road shelter celebrates its 31st birthday this year and currently has around 130 dogs and cats in need of homes, Perry said.

Construction of a new building on the property to house cats and kittens is underway and she said she is “hopeful” it will be completed by fall of this year.

Voters must have a valid email address and can selected their shelter of choice from the Care2.com’s database at www.care2.com/animalsheltercontest/. 

Voters can only register and vote once and must be 18 years of age.

The deadline to vote is July 10.