Purrfect Pals wins $1,000 prize

Purrfect Pals, of Arlington, has brought home a $1,000 prize in The Animal Rescue Site’s All-Star $100,000 Shelter+ Challenge through online voting.

The group received the most votes of any animal welfare group in the state during the contest period from May 17 through Aug. 22.

Seventy seven grants, ranging from $1,000 to $10,000 were awarded to animal adoption groups in all 50 states as well as Canada, Mexico and Costa Rica.

A complete list of all winners can be found at the Animal Rescue Site, www. theanimalrescuesite.com.

“While the Challenge grants are not all that we do, they are certainly one of our most popular programs,” said Tim Kunin, CEO of The Animal Rescue Site.

“What’s truly been exciting is to see how many small shelters and all-volunteer rescue groups have won over the years. These groups make an enormous difference to the health and happiness of the pets in their communities.”

The Animal Rescue Site will hold one more $100,000 Shelter+ Challenge in 2010: the $100,000 Holiday Shelter+ Challenge begins Sept. 20.

Besides the usual $100,000 in awards, a special additional grant of $10,000 has been added for the organization that receives the most votes over the course of the entire year.

“So many groups try so hard and they have really raised the awareness of animal rescue needs in their communities. We want to honor them with the Most Votes in 2010 Award,” added Kunin.

Other new categories in the Holiday Shelter+Challenge include Dark Horse Winners, a set of eight grants specifically reserved for groups who have never won a grant in a challenge, and the Shelter Fan Photo Contest.

In the photo contest, voters are encouraged to submit pictures of their rescued pet to win a grant for their designated rescue group.

“These challenges have been a wonderful opportunity for Petfinder.com members,” said Liz Neuschatz, director of the Petfinder.com Foundation.

“The winners have something to really celebrate, but even those who don’t win have benefited from their communities coming together to act on behalf of homeless pets.”

Purrfect Pals posts its adoptable pets online at www.petfinder.com/shelters/ WA70.