Shelter’s Edge

The ASPCA $100K Challenge contestants have just completed their 4^th week of competition, continuing to roll out innovative programs and promotions that engage their communities. Here’s the latest and greatest. And P.S., if your agency is featured here, click that green button at right—and ask your followers to retweet, too.

Start spreading the news: Jacksonville Humane Society has been busy painting the town—or at least plastering it with some clever and compassionate advertising. In conjunction with participation in the ASPCA $100K, the Florida agency last week kicked off its “Suddenly” adoption and giving campaign, including print ads, radio spots and even gas station pump signage.
“We want to spotlight how dogs and cats can do wonders for people, while encouraging increased foot traffic to our organization,” they blogged.

And while we’re on the topic of poster dogs, The Humane Society of North Texas proved to the community 15 times over that “with just a little bit of time and love, untrained shelter dogs can be valued family companions.” The Fort Worth organization hosted the 2010 Extreme Mutt Makeover, in which 15 HSNT dogs—selected for their, er, extreme greenness when it comes to basic manners—were hooked up with volunteer trainers who spent 8 weeks preparing them for competition. Here, trainer Blake Ovard helps Cowboy show off his new skills:
More than 40 dogs were available for adoption at the event, and all of them—including the 15 “makeovers”—found homes. “Watching our dogs compete was amazing in and of itself,” said HSNT’s Nelda Corbell, “but to add in such a large number of quality adoptions to really great people, especially in the same day, made all the work worthwhile.”

And teaming up to save lives was the order of business over in Georgia, too. “Here at the Atlanta Humane Society, we are very grateful for our sponsors who are helping with the ASPCA $100K Challenge,” blogged the agency. The Westin has donated collapsible water bowls to be given out with each adoption, and when folks order a Bruster’s ice cream pie, half gallon or coupon book online, a portion of the proceeds will be donated to AHS. Sweet!

And for some eye candy, check out this video from Tallahassee-Leon Community Animal Service Center. First in the Pet-ertainment Tonight series, it features fun tabloid TV-style coverage of the community’s Reaching for the Stars adoption event, in which the shelter’s animals were given names like Tomcat Cruise and Scarlett Johoundson. Congrats on the 102 adoptions that evening, TLCASC, and kudos to the city’s elected officials for agreeing to sponsor and act as “star agents” for individual animals:

Wisconsin Humane Society didn’t disappoint in the celebrity department either:
That’s WHS’ ASPCA $100K Challenge spokesdog Gracie next to a life-size bronze of the Fonz, Henry Winkler’s character in the Milwaukee-based Happy Days series. The pooch hit the streets to raise awareness about the contest, and to let residents know how they can help out. And Aaaay!!! It’s Gracie again at the city’s ultimate orange landmark, “The Calling,” by artist Mark di Suvero:
Fun, right? So until next week…say good night (and good job, Challenge contestants!), Gracie!

Tags: ASPCA $100K Challenge, Atlanta Humane Society, Humane Society of North Texas, Jacksonville Humane Society, Keeping Up with the Contestants, Save More Lives Community, Tallahassee-Leon Community Animal Service Center, Wisconsin Humane Society

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