Pets Vie For Mayor In Teller County Fundraiser

DIVIDE, Colo. (AP) - The Teller County Regional Animal Shelter's chief operating officer knows she's not supposed to have favorites, but she wants soulful-eyed blood hound Pa Kettle to be mayor.

This unincorporated mountain town doesn't have a human mayor. In all, 11 animals are competing for the unofficial title in an online race to raise funds for the shelter, and awareness for groups like Teller County Search and Rescue, for whom Pa Kettle works. Each vote means $1 for the shelter, and voters click from around the country.

Voting began in February and chief operating officer Mary Steinbeiser says about $9,000 had been raised by Monday, a day before the fundraiser ends. That will pay for scores of spaying or neutering operations.

Steinbeiser says she likes Pa Kettle because she's a fan of hounds.

LINK: Teller County Regional Animal Shelter