PERU -- Carol Solari-Ruscoe always wanted to work with animals.

In fact, she and her husband have rescued 10 cats, one kitten and a dog of their own.

As if that weren't enough, Carol is on the board for the Elmore SPCA.

She started three years ago as a volunteer dog walker, and when she saw an opening on the SPCA Board, she applied. She was voted onto the board in September 2007.

Now she has all the animals she could ask for.

"Some of the animals have some very sad stories," she said.

Like Darryl, the Chihuahua who was hit by a car and now strains his neck and head to one side.

Or Carol's cat Gretchen, who walks on her elbows because her mother was poorly bred.

But with sad stories come happy ones as well, Carol said.

Especially after she was named one of nine grand-prize winners in the Del Monte 9 Lives Million Cat Rescue Pledge.

She entered the contest online, and her dedication to rescuing animals launched her into the winner's circle.

The prize: one free year of 9 Lives brand cat food (which Carol admits is already gone) and $9,999, which Carol donated to the Elmore SPCA.

The award allowed the SPCA to provide vet care, food and shelter to the rescued animals. The shelter was also able to spay and neuter some of the cats.

But Carol says the money went very fast.

"We just have to really tell people that it takes a lot money to run a clean, nice shelter like we have here."