Here’s how to give an easy gift, and it’s cost free. Just got this on behalf of the Adopt-a-Dog shelter in Armonk.

The shelter has just signed up to participate in the Zootoo.com Shelter Makeover Contest. The shelter has the chance to win a $1 million makeover and their standing in the contest lies in the hands of local supporters.

Before I go on, let me just say that I hope you can help Adopt-a-Dog, but don’t forget the one who tipped you to this and come back to your dear friend at Paws and Claws!!

Anyway, here’s the deal, as provided in a release:

Anyone wanting to help the shelter can earn points on their behalf by signing up and being active on Zootoo.com, a networking site and resource for pet lovers.

Over 1,000 animal shelters across America participated in the First Annual Zootoo.com Shelter Makeover, which was won by Stray Rescue of St. Louis located in St. Louis, MO. That makeover is now underway, and progress can be viewed at www.zootoo.com/makeover.

To become one of the twenty Semifinalists in the competition, shelters must ask their supporters to register and earn points by being active on Zootoo.com, contributing reviews of pet products and services, sharing opinions and advice, bringing other pet lovers into the community and more. The twenty shelters that have accumulated the most points by March 13, 2009 will be named Semifinalists.

Zootoo.com and its advisors will then visit all twenty Semifinalist Shelters during the Tour Period and narrow them down to ten Finalists based on criteria established by Zootoo.com and its advisors. Once the ten Finalists have been chosen, pet lovers across America will be able to review the qualifications of the Finalists on Zootoo.com and determine the winner by voting for the shelter they think most deserves the makeover.