"Wow!"

That was the reaction of Linda L. Miles upon learning Thursday morning that the Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals of Jefferson County has been named one of three finalists in the nationwide zootoo.com contest for a $1 million makeover of its Water Street shelter.

The announcement was made at the Humane Society of the United States's annual conference in Orlando, Fla.

The contest is sponsored by Richard C. Thompson, founder of the pet community Web site Zootoo.com and former president and chief executive officer of the Meow Mix cat food company. It began with nearly 1,000 shelters vying for the grand prize, a list that was whittled to 20 and now stands at three.

"It's exciting," said Mrs. Miles, executive director of the Jefferson County SPCA. "Who would have ever thought that a tiny town like Watertown, out of all the shelters in the country, would be one of the final three?"

Mrs. Miles is attending the Humane Society's conference and was present when the announcement was made.

"I kept thinking all along not to count on it, because I didn't want to be disappointed," she said. "When they said my name, I couldn't believe it."

The three finalists will fly Tuesday from Orlando to New York City, where the winning shelter will be announced Wednesday during a live appearance on Fox's "The Morning Show with Mike and Juliet."

By becoming a finalist, the SPCA has been guaranteed it will receive at least a $6,000 prize. It would win $10,000 if it finishes in second place.

Mrs. Miles said that regardless of the outcome Wednesday, the contest has proven valuable by raising awareness of animal shelters' needs across the country.