There’s exciting news about a great new initiative to help animals and shelters across the country. It’s the 2013 ASPCA Rachael Ray $100K Challenge! This annual initiative is a groundbreaking contest that challenges animal shelters across the country to come up with innovative ways to engage their communities and get more homeless cats and dogs into loving homes.

A total of $600,000 in prize grants are up for grabs to help shelters save more homeless cats and dogs. The 49 contestants will work to save more animals – during the months of June, July and August 2013 – than they did over the same three-month period in 2012. Last year’s competing shelters saved more than 56,000 cats and dogs during the contest, an increase of 14,376 over the same period in 2011!

The ASPCA and Rachael Ray will award a $100,000 grand prize to the shelter contestant that achieves the greatest increase in lives saved during this three-month period. The contestant that does the best job of engaging its community members in helping to save more animals will win $25,000. Those organizations that do the best in their divisions will be eligible for between $10,000 and $25,000 in additional grants. In total, $600,000 in grant funding will be awarded for increases in animal lives saved, as well as a photo contest and general participation.

To learn more, visit challenge.aspcapro.org. Do your part to help save a life by adopting a homeless pet at a shelter near you!