The quest for $1 million came to an end Thursday for the Bowling Green/Warren County Humane Society.

One of 20 finalists for the grand prize in Zootoo.com’s Shelter Makeover Contest, the local humane society’s animal shelter was not among the ones named as a top three contender for the $1 million.

The top three contenders were announced Thursday at the United States Animal Care EXPO in Orlando, Fla., where representatives of the 20 finalists had gathered.

The three shelters still in the running for the grand prize are located in St. Louis, Marietta, Ohio, and Watertown, N.Y. The Henderson Humane Society was also a contender for the award.

An online networking site for pet owners and animal lovers to share reviews of pet products and discussions of pet news, Zootoo started the shelter makeover contest in October.

Approximately 1,000 shelters participated in the contest.

From Oct. 1 to March 31, Zootoo users wrote online journal entries to Zootoo’s advisory board to argue for their preferred shelter to receive $1 million.

The 20 finalists had the most online representation on Zootoo.

On April 30, Zootoo founder Richard Thompson and a video crew visited the local animal shelter on Louisville Road, where they were greeted by several hundred enthusiastic supporters waving signs.

Thompson and other Zootoo officials visited each shelter, judging each shelter’s need for the grand prize.

Although falling short of the $1 million prize, as a finalist the BGWCHS is assured of winning $5,000.

At the time of Zootoo’s visit, humane society director Lorri Hare said the shelter would likely use the $5,000 prize toward helping spay or neuter more animals.

The eventual winner will be announced Wednesday in USA Today and on The Morning Show with Mike and Juliet.