ASPCA Awards More Than $200,000 to Winning Shelters in '150 Days of Rescue' Contest

NEW YORK, Dec. 15, 2016 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- The ASPCA^® (The American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals^®) today revealed the six winning shelters in the '150 Days of Rescue' grants contest, a nationwide initiative aimed at uniting the country to make a difference in the lives of animals. Launched earlier this year in honor of the ASPCA's 150^th anniversary, the initiative encouraged animal lovers from across the country to nominate their favorite shelter or rescue group for the opportunity to win a $150,000 grant. Additionally, five runners-up were awarded grants of $15,000 to support their ongoing efforts to help at-risk animals in their communities.

Listed below are the winning shelters of the '150 Days of Rescue' contest:

$150,000 Grand Prize Winner:

• Jefferson Parish Animal Shelter, Harahan, La.

$15,000 Prize Winners:

• BARCS (Baltimore Animal Rescue and Care Shelter), Baltimore, Md.
• Cat Adoption Team, Sherwood, Ore.
• Equine Rescue and Adoption Foundation, Palm City, Fla.
• Hawaiian Humane Society, Honolulu, Hawaii
• Idaho Humane Society, Boise, Idaho

"Nominated by their own communities, Jefferson Parish Animal Shelter and the other five finalists epitomize the deep commitment with which local shelters and rescue groups tirelessly move vulnerable animals to safe and loving homes," said Matt Bershadker, president and CEO of the ASPCA. "In honor of our 150^th anniversary year, we're proud to recognize their hard work and dedication on the front lines of this important national mission."

For 150 days, between April 10 and September 7, animal lovers were encouraged to visit ASPCA150.org and pledge their time to help animals in need. Possible actions included volunteering at a local shelter, fostering and adopting homeless animals, and advocating for stronger animal welfare laws. Those who logged their actions on the campaign website were encouraged to nominate their favorite shelter or rescue group to receive a $150,000 grant prize from the ASPCA. At the conclusion of the 150 days, the ASPCA had received hundreds of thousands of heartfelt nominations for shelters and rescues around the country, full of personal stories about hard-working staff, dedicated volunteers, and the animals that they rescued.

In addition to the '150 Days of Rescue' campaign, the ASPCA's year-long anniversary celebration contained several large-scale animal welfare programs and events supported by our partners Animal Planet, Vans, and Tito's Handmade Vodka, including adoption events, the 'NYC Paws Parade' in partnership with the NYPD, a video featuring celebrity supporters, and the premiere of the ASPCA's first-ever documentary, "Second Chance Dogs," now available on Netflix. For more information on the ASPCA, visit www.aspca.org. 

About the ASPCA^®
Founded in 1866 and celebrating its 150^th birthday this year, the ASPCA^® (American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals^®) is the first animal welfare organization in North America and serves as the nation's leading voice for animals. More than two million supporters strong, the ASPCA's mission is to provide effective means for the prevention of cruelty to animals throughout the United States. As a 501(c)(3) not-for-profit corporation, the ASPCA is a national leader in the areas of anti-cruelty, community outreach and animal health services. For more information, please visit www.ASPCA.org, and be sure to follow the ASPCA on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.

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SOURCE ASPCA