Over 52,000 Animals Find Homes in ASPCA Challenge

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Annual initiative encourages pet rescue and adoption nationwide.

Thanks to the 2011 ASPCA $100K Challenge, tens of thousands of homeless pets are now in loving forever homes. The annual three-month competition concluded at the end of November, with a total of 52,484 pets saved.

49 shelters across the United States participated in this year’s initiative, which strives to increase the number of animals saved—either by adoption, alternative placements, or being reunited with their owners. And in an impressive growth over last year’s totals, this year’s contestants increased lives saved by a total of 8,977 more animals.

“We thought last year’s first-ever $100K Challenge was amazing, and we really had nothing to compare it to in the field; it was uncharted territory for everyone,” said Bert Troughton, vice president of community outreach for the ASPCA. “Well, the 2011 contest has left us astounded. In just three months time, contestants have given second chances to more than 52,000 dogs and cats, reinvigorated their communities and inspired their staff, volunteers and supporters. They are an inspiration to all of us.”

The winner of the 2011 $100K Grand Prize and Southwest Regional Prize was Austin Pets Alive! in Austin, Texas, which sent 1,673 pets home during the three-month competition, an increase of 850 lives saved over the same period last year and more than any other contestant.

Prizes also went to the Humane Society of South Mississippi in Gulfport, Miss.; the Humane Society for Greater Savannah in Savannah, Ga.; the Greater Androscoggin Humane Society in Lewiston, Maine; the City of Independence Animal Services in Independence, Mo.; and the Ramona Humane Society in San Jacinto, Calif.

For information about next year’s $100K Challenge, stay tuned to challenge.aspcapro.org.

Do you know of a shelter that participated in this year’s ASPCA challenge? How would you increase pet adoptions in your area? Tell us below!