Washington Humane Society & the League Join National ASPCA Challenge to Save More Lives

July 27, 2011

The nation’s capital’s two animal shelters—the Washington Humane Society (WHS) and the Washington Animal Rescue League (the League)—are hoping to increase significantly the number of homeless, abandoned and mistreated animals who find new, caring homes in the next three months. Both groups have entered a national challenge, issued by the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (ASPCA), to re-home 300 more pets than they did last year during the same three months. Together they are calling on the community to open their hearts and homes to the many deserving animals who are seeking adoption.

Thanks to thousands of local animal lovers who voted for WHS and the League, the animal welfare organizations each won a spot in this year’s ASPCA $100K Challenge. They are two of 50 shelters nationwide competing for grants from ASPCA totaling $300,000, including the top prize of $100,000, to provide much-needed funding to save the homeless animals of the District. The goal of the Challenge is to find more matches for animals in need by increasing adoptions over the next three months, from August through October.

“We are thrilled that our supporters have rallied behind us to make us a part of the ASPCA $100K Challenge; it is a great motivator for our team and an incredible opportunity for the entire DC community to get involved and find deserving animals their forever homes,” said Lisa LaFontaine, President & CEO, Washington Humane Society. “Together with our friends at the Washington Animal Rescue League, we ask for the public’s support in this friendly competition. Regardless of the outcome, we hope the Challenge will bring us all together to ultimately rescue more of our city’s animals in need.”

“The Washington metropolitan area is full of people who care deeply about animals,” according to League President and CEO Dr. Gary Weitzman. “Even so, it’s a steep challenge to place 600 more animals than last year between the two groups over the next three months.  But if all of us—the Washington Humane Society, the Washington Animal Rescue League and the community as a whole—work together, I’m sure we’ll be successful. The animals need us to rise to this challenge. We owe it to them to do our very best.”

Over the next three months, both WHS and the League will host a series of adoption events at their shelters, as well as special events throughout the community to help find matches for more animals. For more information about upcoming WHS activities and events, and how you can get involved, visit http://www.washhumane.org or http://www.facebook.com/WashHumane. Learn more about the League at http://www.warl.org and http://www.facebook.com/Washington-Animal-Rescue-League. For more information about the ASPCA $100K Challenge, visit http://www.ASPCA.org.