April 19, 2012

Double Your Impact? Right Now Every Donation to the ASPCA is Doubled!

Thanks to a generous grant from PetArmor®, every contribution you make to the ASPCA before May 31 is matched dollar for dollar, up to $50,000! Better yet, for the month of April, PetArmor® will match $2 for every one dollar.

As the exclusive flea and tick sponsor of the ASPCA, PetArmor® is used on dogs and cats at the ASPCA’s Adoption Center and Bergh Memorial Animal Hospital in New York City. The ASPCA also uses PetArmor® to protect pets during its Field Investigations and Response work.

Right now, all donations made through this program will be shared with participating shelters across the country. So go ahead—double your donation, double your impact and help save twice as many animals nationwide!

Please consider a gift of  $10, $20, $50 and rest assured that even the smallest sum will make a big difference for animals in need.

Act fast, this challenge is scheduled to run from now until May 31—or until $50,000 in matching donations has been reached.

And, thanks for your support!

April 4, 2012

Amy Smart Teams Up with ASPCA and PetArmor®

Look who came to visit! Actress Amy Smart, currently starring in the HBO series Shameless, spent a few hours at our NYC offices on Monday helping launch the PetArmor® Protection Promise, a national flea and tick prevention awareness campaign that helps shelter pets in need. Now through May, anyone can participate by "liking" PetArmor on Facebook. For every "like" received, PetArmor will donate a dose of its bestselling flea and tick treatment (up to 20,000 doses) to the ASPCA or the shelter of the participant’s choice.

"As an animal rescue advocate and proud dog mom, I am so excited to be working with the ASPCA and PetArmor® on this wonderful campaign that supports a cause I care so deeply about," said Smart. "I encourage pet owners everywhere to participate in the Promise and help ensure all pets receive the protection they need."

Thank you, Amy!

December 22, 2011

It’s National Keep Pets Safe in Winter Day!

Those of us who live in colder climates are used to taking all sorts of precautions to prepare for winter, from putting on snow tires to breaking our warmest togs out of moth balls. But don’t forget that winter also poses challenges for our pets!  With their protection in mind, the ASPCA has teamed up with Morton Salt’s Safe-T-Pet® ice melt to raise awareness about winter hazards for pets. Be sure to take note of the following tips:

• Limit outdoor time for pets when temperatures drop below freezing.
• Check warm spots on cars, such as hoods, where animals might seek shelter from the cold, before starting the engine.
• Keep pets on a leash, especially dogs, as they can become disoriented or lost when once-familiar surroundings are covered in ice and snow.
• Wipe paws clean after walking on ice and snow.
• Make sure pets are wearing ID tags and proper outerwear as needed.

Easy Winter Action!

In addition to sharing important winter safety tips, Morton is raising funds for the ASPCA! For every "like" they receive on their Facebook page through January 31, 2012, Morton will donate $1 to the ASPCA. So get clicking—and thanks!

November 22, 2011

Shop and Support the ASPCA

Did you know you can support the ASPCA while doing your holiday shopping? Through ShopandSupportASPCA.com, you can shop nearly 2,000 of your favorite merchants such as Target, Macy’s, PetSmart and Best Buy. For each purchase you make, a percentage goes back to the ASPCA to help our furry friends!

Simply download the browser extension and never miss out on a chance to support the ASPCA! It is so easy…see for yourself and download today.

Happy shopping!

November 11, 2011

Community Engagement Award Finalists Announced

Congrats to Austin Pets Alive! in Austin, Texas; the Humane Society of Greater Savannah in Savannah, Georgia; and the Humane Society of South Mississippi in Gulfport, Mississippi! All three shelters are in the running to win the ASPCA’s Community Engagement Award.

The Community Engagement Award is part of the 2011 ASPCA $100K Challenge, a friendly, three-month-long competition in which shelters across the country work to save more animals’ lives. The award includes a $25,000 grant prize.

The three finalists all received the most online votes on the $100K Challenge website. The winner will be selected by the ASPCA Grants Committee and announced on November 30.

During the $100K Challenge, contestants competed to save at least 300 more animals in August, September and October 2011, than they did over the same three-month period in 2010. In last year’s first-ever Challenge, contestants saved a total of 48,779 lives in three months—an increase of 7,362 lives over the same three months in 2009.

For more information about the 2011 $100K Challenge, please visit www.aspca.org/100k.

September 29, 2011

ASPCA Grants Across America: Louisiana Disaster Prep

The ASPCA has awarded a $5,000 grant to the St. Martin Parish Animal Services in St. Martinville, Louisiana. The funds will be used to purchase materials to assist with emergency sheltering for homeless animals as well as owned pets. St. Martin Parish Animal Services will also be using a portion of the grant to educate the public about establishing a disaster preparedness and evacuation plan.

In a recent research study conducted by Lake Research Partners and commissioned by the ASPCA, more than one-third of pet owners admitted they don’t have an emergency plan.

“Louisiana is especially vulnerable to natural disasters such as hurricanes, tropical storms and flash floods, and the best thing pet owners can do is to be prepared,” says Kathryn Destreza, Southeast Regional and Investigations Director of ASPCA Field Investigations and Response.

“The funds that the ASPCA has generously granted to our disaster preparedness and education initiative will make it possible for the citizens of St. Martin Parish to include their pets in emergency plans,” adds Dana Fontenot, animal services agent for St. Martin Parish Animal Services. “Education is key to disaster preparedness. We now have the ability to assist with that education and the necessary preparations for people to safely evacuate with their animal companions.”

The ASPCA is on track to award more than 10 million dollars in grant money to worthy animal welfare groups across the U.S. this year. To learn more, including how your organization can apply for an ASPCA Grant, please visit ASPCApro.org.

September 19, 2011

ASPCA Helps Feed Starving Horses

While our first responders have spent much of the summer rescuing animals from floods and hurricanes, another great threat has emerged across parts of the country: extreme drought.

Stretching across Texas, Oklahoma and other southern states, the lack of rain means a lack of food for hundreds of rescued horses. It’s heartbreaking.

“With practically no hay and nothing but dirt to graze on, equine rescues and sanctuaries are struggling to feed their animals,” says Jacque Schultz, ASPCA Senior Director of Community Outreach. “The hay has to be trucked in from out of state leaving groups hard-hit by both soaring hay prices and high transportation costs.”

In response to the devastating conditions, the ASPCA has provided equine rescues with $250,000 in emergency funds to cover the cost of food. But we still need your help. Learn how you can take action to help horses today.

August 25, 2011

ASPCA Partner Community Spotlight: Shelby County

Shelby County, Alabama, is driven to drastically improve the lives of its animals. That’s one of the reasons it was selected for the ASPCA Partnership. We work with Shelby County and nine other communities to upgrade the state of animal welfare in their areas by providing the resources they need to sustain progress.

Shelby County has made great strides for its companion animals since joining the ASPCA Partnership in 2009. Since then, the community has reduced the number of animals entering its shelters, increased the number of spay/neuter surgeries, and saved more than 4,400 lives through interstate animal transfer!

It’s obvious that Shelby County is motivated to succeed, and the ASPCA is there to lend a hand every step of the way. But right now, this community could use a hand from you—and all you have to do is vote! The executive director of the Shelby Humane Society, Jennifer Miller, is a finalist in Beneful’s $500,000 competition for a dream dog park. If her great idea wins, Jennifer (and Honey Belle, her adorable, furry teammate) will get to build a truly remarkable dog park—which would include an agility course, lots of shade and a doggie pool! That’s bound to make lots of Alabama pooches mighty happy.

Forty percent of Beneful’s decision will be based on total votes earned, so visit the competition’s website and vote for Jennifer and Honey Belle’s idea. (Hint: it’s the fourth entry on the second page of finalists.) Help this animal-loving community provide a wonderful space for its canine pals!

To learn more about Shelby County’s ASPCA partnership, visit its page on ASPCA.org.

August 25, 2011

Blowout Sale at ASPCA Online Store

Summer is winding down, but you can still catch some hot deals at the ASPCA Online Store! Score up to half off on flip flops, pet toys and more—we’re making room for cool-weather merchandise, so summer items and even some non-seasonal stuff is majorly reduced. If that doesn’t convince you to stuff your shopping cart, we’re offering free shipping on all orders over $55, no checkout code required!

Deal of the Month: ASPCA Car Kit
Show your support by going orange on the road! Our car kit includes an ASPCA license plate frame, logo bumper sticker and removable logo window decal. On sale for $9.99, this package is only a buck more than the license plate frame alone.

Summer Sale Includes Pet Toys!
Now’s a great time to stock up on a variety of popular pet toys, including the Nobbly Wobbly ball and Glow-in-the-Dark Bar Bone (for dogs) and catnip mice in two sizes (for cats).

Deep Discount: Will Fight for Cats Tees
Save almost 50% on these brightly colored T-shirts that tell the world where you stand on animal cruelty. The front of the tee has a cat with the ASPCA and Humane Law Enforcement imprint, while the back is emblazoned with “Will Fight for Animals” and our anti-cruelty web address.

You can feel good about shopping with us, because all net proceeds of your purchases go to support our life-saving programs all over the country. For more tees, toys, gifts and pet supplies, visit the ASPCA Online Store 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

More News from the Week:

Why Does My Dog Bark So Much?
ASPCA Happy Tails: A Dog Named Gary
Partner Community Spotlight: Shelby County
Blowout Sale at ASPCA Online Store
ASPCA Pet of the Week: Two’s Company
Register for October’s Rock 'n' Roll New York 10k!

August 1, 2011

ASPCA $100K Challenge Kick-off—Follow the Action on Twitter!

Oh, it’s on! The 2011 ASPCA $100K Challenge is officially underway—and, for the second year in a row, shelters around the country are in a race to save more animals’ lives.

What is the $100K Challenge, you ask? In a nutshell, 49 animal shelters will spend the next three months working tirelessly to increase the number of adoptions over last year. The winning shelter will receive a $100,000 grant from the ASPCA to continue its life-saving work—and other contestants will vie for a chance to bring home additional grant prizes.

Join Us Kick-Off Weekend!
This weekend, the ASPCA will be rooting for Challenge shelter contestants as they host special kick-off adoption events! Join us on Twitter as we bring you all the minute-by-minute action. Using the hashtag #ASPCA100K, you’ll be able to join the conversation—and help your favorite shelter find homes for even more animals!

The live-tweet coverage will span 50 hours—from Friday at 5:00 P.M. to Sunday at 7:00 P.M.

For more information about the 2011 ASPCA $100K Challenge and to find a kick-off event near you, please visit challenge.aspcapro.org.

June 14, 2011

Help Partner Service Dogs with Returning Veterans in Need

Start clicking for a good cause! Dog Bless You, a non-profit created by explore.org founder Charlie Annenberg Weingarten, celebrates dogs and soldiers through a campaign called Dog Bless USA.

What’s Dog Bless USA’s goal? To partner returning veterans diagnosed with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) with specially trained service dogs. And here’s how you can help.

Now through the Fourth of July, for every 5,000 likes the Dog Bless You Facebook page gets, explore.org will match a veteran of Iraq or Afghanistan with a new best friend.

“We want to raise awareness about the amazing role dogs can play in the lives of veterans,” says Weingarten. “The ‘like’ button is akin to putting your name on a card to those soldiers.”

So get clicking!

Visit Dog Bless You, click “like” and help a veteran in need—today.

June 9, 2011

ASPCA Launches $500K Disaster Grant Fund

Thank you! With your support our grants team was just able to launch the ASPCA Disaster Fund to help shelters and other animal welfare groups affected by or responding to the recent storms.

“After our Field Investigations and Response Team witnessed firsthand the incredible devastation, we wanted to offer additional aid,” says ASPCA President & CEO Ed Sayres. “The ASPCA Disaster Fund will provide critical resources to help these local groups protect and care for animals in their communities.”

Thank You, Rachael Ray!
As part of the relief effort, TV personality Rachael Ray, with her dog food line Nutrish and her philanthropic initiative Rachael’s Rescue, has pledged her support with a really generous contribution of both funds and pet food.

“I am a huge lover of animals, and I simply can’t bear the thought of them homeless, hungry and in need of care,” says Rachael Ray. “One of the main factories where our Nutrish Just 6 treats are manufactured is located in Joplin, so this tragedy has really hit home and we knew we needed to spring into action and help. I’m so happy I could join the incredible efforts already underway by the ASPCA in helping families find their pets and care for animals in their community—we started Nutrish and Rachael’s Rescue for this very purpose.”

Take Action!
If your local shelter is in need of emergency funding, learn more about applying for an ASPCA Disaster Fund grant today. Want to help? The ASPCA relies on the continued support of our members to provide these vital services. Please text PLEDGE to 25383 to donate $10 to our disaster relief efforts!

June 8, 2011

Did You Vote Yet? America's Favorite Animal Shelter Contest Is On!

Do you have a favorite animal rescue group or shelter? Well, now’s your chance to help them win BIG! Sponsored by the ASPCA, Care2, and Adopt-a-Pet.com, America's Favorite Animal Shelter Contest is a way for animal lovers to rally behind their favorite groups and celebrate the great work they do.

Drum roll, please! The winner of the contest—the shelter with the most votes—will walk away with $15,000! In addition to the grand prize, gifts of $7,000 and $3,000 will be awarded to the runner-ups. Plus, every week, a randomly selected participating group will win $500.Whew, that’s a lot of winners!

Take Action!
Vote now and help your shelter win. And do what you must to get others voting, too. Send your friends and family an email, post your shelter's contest page to Facebook, tweet the contest out, post flyers around your neighborhood. Because there is one more possible winner—you! The top twenty vote recruiters get a $50 gift card as a special thanks.

Remember, voting ends on July 10—so spread the word!

June 1, 2011

This June, the Best Things in Life Are Free!

The ASPCA and the makers of Fresh Step litter aren't asking animal shelters to give away the farm. Just the cats.

Fresh Step has partnered with the ASPCA to encourage shelters to try fee-waived adoption promotions during Adopt-A-Shelter-Cat Month this June. So far, this life-saving campaign has enlisted more than 100 shelters across the country.

Research shows that fee-waived adoption campaigns not only increase adoptions, but decrease the amount of time cats stay in the shelter. So go ahead, adopt the fabulous feline of your dreams—for free! For a list of participating shelters, visit the Fresh Step Facebook page.

Take Action on Facebook!
But wait, there’s more. The maker of Fresh Step Litter will also donate $1 (up to $100,000) to the ASPCA for every "like" the Fresh Step Facebook page receives through July 31, 2011. Get clicking! Please. Thank you.

April 18, 2011

The Votes Are In—50 Winning Shelters Compete in ASPCA $100K Challenge!

After 12 days of spirited online voting by more than 200,000 supporters, the ASPCA is thrilled to announce the 50 shelters that will compete in the 2011 ASPCA $100K Challenge.

“We were blown away by the outpouring of support and by the number of votes cast for local shelters in the qualifying heat,” says Bert Troughton, ASPCA Vice President of Community Outreach.

The 50 contenders now will gear up for a three-month competition to save at least 300 more animals—during the months of August, September and October 2011—than they did over the same three-month period in 2010.

The agency with the biggest increase in animals saved will win $100,000. The agency that gets the most community members involved in saving animals will win a $25,000 grant; and those organizations that do the best in their regions will be eligible for between $5,000 and $25,000 in grants.

“If the buzz created during the voting is any indication of how much energy and passion we’ll see for these 50 contestants during the contest, then I think we’re in for a really inspiring 2011 ASPCA $100K Challenge,” says Troughton.

Check out the 50 winning shelters competing in this year’s ASPCA $100K Challenge!

April 11, 2011

Time to Get Active—it’s National Volunteer Week!

We’ll make no bones about it: People like to give back. And for 145 years, our members have been getting active to help animals. In honor of National Volunteer Week, we want to take a moment to celebrate the profound impact you have made for animals across the country. From assisting in the care and placement of shelter animals to educating the public on animal welfare issues—the work you do saves lives!

To help keep you motivated, we’ve come up with a few easy volunteer tips that pack a big punch!

Volunteer at your local shelter or animal rescue organization. Volunteering at your local shelter is a great way to make a difference in the lives of many animals. Shelters across the country are in desperate need of volunteers to help out with tasks as diverse as walking dogs, organizing fundraising events, and fostering abused or frightened animals. Check out our top ways to help your local shelter.

Become an Animal Activist in Your Community. Being a voice for animals can mean educating the public on spaying/neutering, fighting for stronger animal legislation or reporting animal cruelty. Check out these easy ways you can speak for those who can’t.

Lend a Hand to the ASPCA. Volunteers have been the heart of our organization since its founding in 1866. The ASPCA remains the leader in rescuing animals from abuse, passing humane laws and sharing resources with shelters nationwide. Become a member today and directly help us—and our furry friends.

Don’t forget to share this page with your friends and family on Facebook and Twitter!

April 5, 2011

The Heat Is On—Vote for Your Favorite $100K Challenge Contender!

On your mark. Get set. Vote! Folks, we are thrilled to announce that 95 animal shelters—from Hawaii to the U.S. Virgin Islands—are competing in this year’s $100K Challenge qualifying heat!

So, what does that mean, exactly? Well, they need you to vote! The 50 shelters with the most votes will be the official contestants of the 2011 Challenge and compete for the $100,000 grand prize. To keep the competition fierce, you can cast one vote each day!

Check out the full list of this year's qualifying organizations, and don't forget to vote for your favorite every day at www.votetosavelives.org. Voting ends April 15. Stay tuned; we’ll announce the winning 50 contestants on April 18!

Good luck!

March 25, 2011

Devastation in Japan: ASPCA on Standby

Our thoughts are with the people of Japan as the post-earthquake crisis continues to unfold. The severity of the situation and the possible threat of nuclear disaster highlight the fact that assistance is still urgently needed. As reports and footage of the devastation in Japan continue to come in, one video serves as a reminder that the catastrophe has many animal victims, too.

Japanese dog refuses to leave injured friend behind. CNN reports that these dogs have been located and are receiving care.

The ASPCA remains on standby ready to assist our animal welfare colleagues in Japan in any way necessary. Currently, we are in communication with our national and international partners through our membership in the National Animal Rescue and Sheltering Coalition (NARSC). For more information on NARSC's efforts, please visit their site.

Working with this coalition, we are coordinating efforts in order to provide the most efficient and effective use of resources to help animals affected by this disaster. Please stay tuned to ASPCA.org for more information on the ASPCA’s relief efforts.

March 23, 2011

ASPCA Named Benefiting Charity of Rock ‘n’ Roll Los Angeles Half Marathon

Get your running shoes on, animal lovers! The ASPCA has just been named the benefiting charity of the 2011 Rock ‘n’ Roll Los Angeles Half Marathon series. The event will take place October 30, with live bands and fan celebration the length the 13.1-mile course.

“The ASPCA is thrilled to be the benefiting charity for the Rock ‘n’ Roll Los Angeles Half Marathon, a national event that combines endurance training, entertainment and giving,” said Kymberlee Setterberg, Senior Manager of Special Events for the ASPCA.

In light of the new partnership, the ASPCA will grant $250,000 to shelters and rescue groups in Los Angeles area. Recipients include LA Animal Alliance and Pet Connections, two growing organizations whose mission is to help find forever homes for animals in need.

The entertainment and music-filled half-marathon typically attracts 15,000 runners and walkers from across the US and is one of several endurance events Team ASPCA will participate in this year.

Take Action!
Space is limited, so don't get left behind—join Team ASPCA today! For additional information, please contact Kymberlee Setterberg at 888-661-ASPCA, or kymberlees@aspca.org.

And don’t forget to share this page with your friends and family on Facebook and Twitter!

March 7, 2011

Save More Lives. The Time Is Now—ASPCA Launches the 2011 $100K Challenge!

Get ready, people!! Today is the official launch of the 2011 ASPCA $100K Challenge with more prizes and competition to help shelters save even more lives. 

For this year’s Challenge, the ASPCA has more than doubled its incentives to shelters with an additional $175,000 in grant funding and a variety of awards for shelters at the regional and national levels. Also new this year is a two-week-long “qualifying heat” in April, during which time the public will vote for their favorite shelter to participate in the Challenge.

“Last year’s first-ever ASPCA $100K Challenge completely changed our perception of what was possible in the animal sheltering world,” says Bert Troughton, ASPCA Vice President of Community Outreach. “We were blown away by the contestants who saved a total of 7,362 more animals as compared to the same three month period in 2009.”

This year, 50 animal shelters across the country will compete to save a minimum of 300 more cats, dogs, kittens and puppies from August through October 2011, compared with the same three-month period in 2010. A $100,000 grant will be awarded to the shelter contestant that achieves the greatest increase in lives saved during this three-month period, and the contestant that does the best job of engaging its community will receive $25,000.
 
So hurry and spread the word to your local shelter and animal welfare leaders! Shelters can submit their Challenge applications from March 16 through March 18. To read the complete 2011 $100K Challenge rules or to enter to win for animals, please visit ASPCApro.org.