Breaking: Winners Announced in ASPCA Rachael Ray $100K Challenge

Friday, November 30, 2012 - 1:00pm
Breaking: Winners Announced in ASPCA Rachael Ray $100K Challenge

The ASPCA is on the ground today in cities across the country to celebrate with the winners of the 2012 ASPCA Rachael Ray $100K Challenge and deliver some mighty big checks.

The $100K Challenge is our annual, three-month-long shelter contest to come up with new ways to get more homeless cats and dogs into loving homes. And get them into homes they did! In total, this year’s 50 contestants saved a whopping 56,232 animals’ lives.

But who took home the grand prize of 100,000 big ones? Well, people, Texas did it again. The grand prize winner of the 2012 $100K Challenge is the City of San Antonio Animal Care Services! The Central Texas shelter saved more than 4,054 animals in three months—that’s 1,384 more animals than it saved during the same three-month period in 2011. Amazing work—congratulations, San Antonio!

For a full list of winners, including second place and the Community Engagement Award recipient, please visit the $100K Challenge blog.

Want to help save more animals in your community? Encourage your local shelter to apply for the 2013 Challenge! Applications open on January 3, 2013. Stay tuned to ASPCA.org for details.

The $100K Challenge is just one of many programs through which the ASPCA advocates for animals in need across the country. Help us continue to improve the lives of homeless pets.


Tags: 
$100K Challenge
Adoption
Contests
Events

Comments

Fri, 11/30/2012 - 14:18 — Lori Grone (Visitor)
Congratulations San Antonio! Thank you for saving so many lives this year. I hope this victory will help you save even more in the future.

Fri, 11/30/2012 - 14:32 — Jill Coletti (Visitor)
This is absolutely wonderful!! Thanks for saving so many lives !!I only hope that when there is such a challange that all the rescued animals do go into LOVING homes and that it is just not a rush to adopt out as many animals as rescues possibly can in order to WIN !! Because, as all of us in the "rescue world" know, this can have a very negative impact on the animal. Screenings for potential adopters have to be thorough !! ~Jill

Fri, 11/30/2012 - 16:27 — Naila (Visitor)
I certainly do pray that these shelters take all the proper procedures to make certain each animal is going to a good, forever home. Not just to fill a quota of most adoptions. The animals will suffer if they do not!

Fri, 11/30/2012 - 18:24 — Lauren (Visitor)
I adopted my wonderful dog from ACS San Antonio. I will tell you that their process in finding homes for animals was thorough and complete. My husband and I both had to visit the shelter on several occasions and bring our other dog to the shelter for a visit to make sure our dogs would be compatable. There was always plenty of helpful staff on hand as well as a multitude of volunteers. Each time we visted, the shelter had a new contest, games and/ or prizes to encourage families to come out and spend time at the shelter. The shelter even hosted a late night event, staying open untill midnight or later to allow people who worked odd hours the opportunity to adopt. I also follow ACS on Facebook and they work hard to promote their animals everyday. I am completely pleased that ACS San Antonio won the challenge, I know they worked hard and they deserve it.

Sat, 12/01/2012 - 14:34 — Sandra Faut (Visitor)
Bravo, that's exactly what I was thinking. Selecting good families is not a slamdunk proposition. It takes care, thought, and time. If not done properly, the animals suffer.

Sat, 12/01/2012 - 03:24 — Judy Goshman (Visitor)
I volunteer at a rescue and am critically aware of the harm that our animals can experience if they get into a bad situation. I think we all love the animals we care for and can't bare the thought that they could be mistreated in any way. It's SO,SO,SO important to see to it that this never happens. Thank you for your comment.

Fri, 11/30/2012 - 14:36 — Martha Bruneau (Visitor)
You guys rock! How dedicated you must all be to save so many lives. I as appreciate you. Marty Bruneau Glendale, AZ

Fri, 11/30/2012 - 14:53 — Nancy Maglio (Visitor)
God bless all of you who work so tirelessly on behalf of the animals! You are all winners!! Congrats to San Antonio - what you do matters so much to so many of us. THANK YOU!!!

Fri, 11/30/2012 - 14:54 — Sandra (Visitor)
God Bless each and every one of you who were involved with this remarkable effort. I pray each of them are loved the way I love my rescue.

Fri, 11/30/2012 - 14:59 — kris (Visitor)
Such great work on everyone's behalf. I'm just picturing those happy wee animal faces -- that's a lot of smiles!

Fri, 11/30/2012 - 15:25 — Michele Babij (Visitor)
I am so excited to know that there are so many great people like you guys to help save our most precious four legged creatures, I cry with happiness.Thank you and keep up the GREAT work.

Fri, 11/30/2012 - 15:28 — Marcia Wickenhauser (Visitor)
That is such awesome news. I love animals and can't believe these poor babies are treated so poorly. Thanks for you're great work!

Fri, 11/30/2012 - 15:46 — Mary (Visitor)
Well if it's anything like our "animal care services" here they will let a dog go home with ANYBODY - no reference checks, no home visits, no vet follow ups NOTHING. Not hard to get that many dogs out if you aren't acting in the best interest of the dog.

Fri, 11/30/2012 - 15:54 — Jean (Visitor)
Congratulations to all of you who helped save more than 56 000 animals in such a short space of time. You have all worked so hard and deserve the wins and the credit for being so diligent. Again, big CONGRATULATIONS.

Fri, 11/30/2012 - 15:55 — MaryAnn-DFW (Visitor)
Congrats on doing such an outstanding job of finding homes for so many homeless pets. Keep up the amazing job you're doing for those who cannot speak for themselves--the rest of us will have to work a little harder (and we will).

Fri, 11/30/2012 - 16:09 — Alyssa (Visitor)
Great job this year!!!. And to the rest of the contestants good job.You saved many animals you all are heros.

Fri, 11/30/2012 - 16:16 — ROBERT VASQUEZ (Visitor)
From the city of Corpus Christi, thank you San Antonio for your hard work and determination! Thank you ASPCA and Rachael Ray! Keep saving lives! :)

Fri, 11/30/2012 - 16:18 — Gabriele (Visitor)
Congratulation to all contestants, job well done!!

Fri, 11/30/2012 - 16:29 — Gena Metcalf (Visitor)
This is such wonderful news for these wonderful people doing so many remarkable things. Thanks so much from all of us who appreciate everything you do.

Fri, 11/30/2012 - 16:52 — Steve Maxwell (Visitor)
Great job. Thanks for all the good work. Keep it up.

Fri, 11/30/2012 - 16:59 — Mary Shepherd-Ennis (Visitor)
Question: Is this the RR, designer of womens fashion and if so, before I compliment this award, does she use real fur ever in her creations?

Sat, 12/01/2012 - 01:02 — Lisa Ann Kelly (Visitor)
I don't know the answer, but you raised a good question. I, too, would like to know the answer.

Sat, 12/01/2012 - 16:56 — Lucy (Visitor)
No, its Rachel Ray. Talk show host, Chief, Pit advocate. Wonderful lover of dogs

Fri, 11/30/2012 - 17:17 — Margaret T. Gra... (Visitor)
God bless each and everyone of you in Texas and the whole world over for what you do for all of the animals. I wish that I had a place large enough to give all the babies (animals) a loving home. Again, God bless you all.

Fri, 11/30/2012 - 17:58 — Leslie (Visitor)
Where does the money won go?

Fri, 11/30/2012 - 21:54 — Gigi Middlebrook (Visitor)
Way to go San Antonio!!!! Congrats!!!!! People always said that Texans do it bigger about everything. But in this case, it is true! Not only do you have a kick butt River Walk, now you have this award. Good on ya San Antonio!!!!

Fri, 11/30/2012 - 22:59 — Tessa (Visitor)
I happen to be a foster for ACS San Antonio pets alive. It is a dept of ACS that pulls animals from the kill list and gets them into fosters or adopted out. The adoption process involves many pages and questions and my most recent adopter had to place nearly 200 down because this kitten wasn't neutered yet. Just this program alone I've seen them foster/adopt nearly 40 animals in one day. There are some of us trying to fix the kill rate instead of just talking and complaining about how bad it is. With more volunteers and fosters and donations we CAN save so many more. Be a part if the answer to this horrible situation.

Sat, 12/01/2012 - 02:18 — christine walker (Visitor)
Congrats to the winners for doing an awsome job! Each animal placed in a forever home is another precious life saved. I adopted my cat Molly from a nearby shelter and wouldnt trade her for anything!!

Sat, 12/01/2012 - 07:10 — Wendy Sterling (Visitor)
It is wonderful to help dogs and cats find homes. My wish is that all these people with big hearts will not forget the farm animals that suffered horribly when you make your choice of what to eat. A pig, for example, is no different than a dog in feeling pain, fear, and loneliness. They just get forgotten because it is hidden from the public.

Sat, 12/01/2012 - 12:30 — h. post (Visitor)
HOW did San Antonio do it? What programs did they come up with that they/you could share with others?? Maybe you could post so we could learn..or is it posted somewhere HOW they did it?

Sat, 12/01/2012 - 15:51 — Mary Brown (Visitor)
Congratulations San Antonio Animal Care Services. Now I understand why Liza Kalmykov, my daughter spent so many nights working late and weekends at the shelter with events and activities. Good Job Everyone. I remember how it was a couple of years ago it was very sad. But look at the progress good leadership and a united staff and community can do. Hip, Hip Hooray.....!!!

Sat, 12/01/2012 - 23:02 — Corridor Rescue (Visitor)
Congrats on your win! So many happy animals saved and hopefully are in loving and safe homes. Let's keep the momentum going.

Sun, 12/02/2012 - 09:03 — Nick Gaston (Visitor)
As a foster for ACS I can tell you the process to adopt is extensive. ACS employees and foster try to match the correct animal for a family. During this challenge I had 6 fosters dogs adopted out all have contacted me and gave me apppreciation for saving their new best friend and family member. Some have even contacted friends who want to adopt to help find their new friend. Fostering is a very rewarding and worthwile effort that I will continue to do. Congrats to ACS and all winners this year.

Sun, 12/02/2012 - 21:09 — Sara Burt (Visitor)
It is truly amazing that in just 3 months all participating shelters saved 56,232 animals lives. This proves that when communities come together that anything is possible. I also want to congratulate my own state of Oregon for participating. Way to go Greenhill Humane Society of Eugene, OR. As for the concern that with rapid adoptions leaves less room for thorough screening. I can tell you from a person that has worked closely with my local animal shelters it is possible to have high numbers of animals being placed in loving homes without neglecting the screening process. It takes a whole lot people to do so but it is possible. I think that the last person to thank is Rachael Ray! She has done so much for animals since she started her talk show. I loved her even more when she came out as an advocate for Pit Bulls. I have always admired celebrities that used their fame as a platform for a good cause.