News Alert: March 4, 2011

We’re baaaack! The 2011 ASPCA $100K Challenge kicked off this week for round two of the most immense shelter competition in the country. We launched the $100K Challenge in 2010 to inspire local shelters to save more animals than they did the previous year. We were absolutely floored by the results: 44 shelters and thousands of supporters saved 48,779 animals in just three short months!

And this year promises to be bigger and better than ever. The 2011 Challenge will award more than $300,000 in prizes at the local, regional and national levels, including a grand prize grant of $100,000! To qualify for the grand prize, shelters must save a minimum of 300 more cats, dogs, kittens and puppies from August through October 2011 than they did during the same time period in 2010. Beyond that, the winner will be the contestant that saves the most additional cats, dogs, kittens and puppies from August through October 2011. The ASPCA will also grant $25,000 to the shelter that most inspires and engages its community to get involved in promoting pet adoption and reuniting lost pets with their guardians.

In addition to boatloads of new awards and special surprises this year, we’re also introducing a qualifying heat to encourage you to get behind your favorite shelter from the very beginning of the contest. During the two-week heat, which officially launches on April 4, you'll have the opportunity to determine which 50 shelters get a chance to compete for the $100K grand prize.

So, hurry and spread the word to your local shelter! We're accepting applications for only 48 hours, from noon ET on March 16 through noon ET on March 18. The official competition period is August 1 through October 31, and winners will be announced in November.

To read all 2011 Challenge rules, please visit http://challenge.aspcapro.org.