Student wins Pepsi grant to help animals find homesat a GTA humane society.OAKVILLE BEAVER STAFFHe was so terrified of everything. He hid under the bed for three months straight and we A life-long Oakville resident and a zoology didnt really see him and then slowly he finally major student just got the helping hand she decided to come out from under the bed, she needs to help the creatures that cannot help said. He is now very friendly. He loves getting themselves.pats. It was just an amazing turnaround and I Kimberley Richards was one of 40 winners of think of all the animals that are so shy in shelters this years Pepsi Refresh Project, through which that people dont necessarily see or think that she received a $10,000 grant to set up a website to they may be the best pet. But with lots of love and help find homes for hard-to-place animals in extra time they can be an amazing pet.Ontario.Shes already received positive responses from I was really excited. Going into this I didnt 28 Ontario shelters that want to participate in think I would win at all. I was really surprised, the online database.the third-year University of Guelph student said. I hope to make at least a small change, Now that she won, she will be able to help the Richards said of what she hopes to accomplish animals she loves so dearly.with the website. Even one animal being adopt-SUBMITTED PHOTOIve always loved animals and Ive been very ed, I think is worth it.close with different shelters, trying to help them She added there are some shelters where REFRESHING WIN: Kimberley Richards, one of 40 winners of a $10,000 Pepsi Refresh out, and I just thought there was something I more than 50 per cent of the animals are eutha-grant, and her adopted dog Cody.could do, she said. Her family currently has four nized simply because of space constraints.adopted animals.I think the animals that are hard to place, well as pay for advertising and to register her They could even just be a black animal. Richards was notified of her win earlier this that are really shy, they just dont have a chance organization as a charity.There are superstitions around black animals year, after having entered the Pepsi online voting and I want to give them another chance to be The website will highlight animals at differ-and theyre less likely to be adopted, she added.contest in the summer. To help her case, she cre-adopted.ent shelters throughout Ontario that are having a The idea behind the website was partially ated a Facebook group, a blog, put up posters To learn more about the project, visit www.hard time getting adopted, the St. Mildreds-inspired by one of her cats, Edward, who she got around her schools campus and asked friends refresheverything.ca/thehopecircle.Lightbourn School graduate said.and family to vote for her.There are many reasons why some animals Now, having been named a winner, she is have such a hard time getting adopted. Richards searching for a web developer to build the web-said these animals could be really shy, have PARTY MAXsite. 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