ASPCA Midwest Relocation Program transports over 5,000 animals in first year

The ASPCA has announced the WaterShed Animal Fund Rescue Ride (WAFRR), launched in January 2017, surpassed its first-year annual goal by more than 2,000 animals.

The ASPCA transported 5,715 cats and dogs from shelters throughout the Midwest to areas where adoptable animals are in higher demand.

Among the thousands of animals relocated by WAFRR in 2017, over 700 were moved out of areas impacted by Hurricanes Harvey and Irma as part of the ASPCA’s disaster response efforts.

Dudley, the 5,000th animal transported in the program’s first operational year, is a 10-week-old male Lab/Hound Mix. He was moved from Southern Pines Animal Shelter in Hattiesburg, MS to Toledo Area Humane Society in Maumee, OH, and was adopted by a loving family within six days.

Alley Cat Allies provides help after California wildfires and mudslides

After wildfires and mudslides ravaged California, many companion cats and community cats have been displaced from their homes and remain in peril.

Some are injured, others are too skittish to come out of hiding, and many have disappeared amid the rubble of their properties.

Alley Cat Allies, the global engine of change for cats, is stepping in to help fund rescue groups that save cats and reunite them with their owners and caregivers.

"Many animal welfare organizations in California are stretched to the limit to help with injured and lost cats. By adding our resources to the effort, we're helping them to continue their dedicated, lifesaving work and make the biggest impact," said Becky Robinson, president and founder of Alley Cat Allies.

Bow Wow Buddies Foundation helps dogs in need by granting over $150,000 in 2017

The Bow Wow Buddies Foundation, a nonprofit dedicated to awarding grants of up to $2,500 to cover the cost of unplanned, necessary medical care for dogs in need, gave a new 'leash' on life to 40% more deserving dogs in 2017.

By year end, the Foundation granted over $150,000 to provide 89 dogs with necessary medical attention.

The organization is the 501(c)(3) entity of Camp Bow Wow, the nation's largest Doggy Day Care and Boarding franchise.

The Foundation focuses efforts on dogs who are placed in shelters/rescues, as well as on families facing hardships. Through its contributions, the nonprofit provides a lifeline to ease financial burdens to keep dogs happy and healthy in their current homes or helps ensure they will find a fur-ever family.

2018 Innovation Showdown accepting lifesaving ideas through February 16th

The 2018 Innovation Showdown invites organizations and companies to compete for the chance at an investment of up to $350,000 for innovative ideas to save animal lives and get feedback from the nation's top animal welfare experts.

Recognizing and rewarding lifesaving innovation has been an area of focus for many of the nation's top animal welfare organizations. The 2018 Innovation Showdown is a collaborative project with a goal to spark lifesaving creativity to help the animal welfare industry reduce the number of animals euthanized in this country.

The Innovation Showdown, originally created in 2017 by the Petco Foundation and Jackson Galaxy Foundation, is modeled after the critically-acclaimed Shark Tank for entrepreneurs, but with one major difference. The Innovation Showdown's ultimate goal is not a financial return on investment but a lifesaving return on investment – that is to save the lives of more animals in need.