By Stacy Lee

Published: Thursday, March 7, 2013, 3:06 a.m.
Updated: Thursday, March 7, 2013

Western Pennsylvania Humane Society is seeking the community's help to win the 2013 American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Rachael Ray $100K Challenge.

The nonprofit organization, which has shelters on Pittsburgh's North Shore and in Elizabeth Township, was chosen as one of 50 contestants competing for a total of $600,000 in prize grants.

“We want to make it a community event,” Barb Lyle, the Humane Society's Fallen Timber shelter assistant manager, said. “We want them to know we're here and what we do. We're asking the community to come and see what we have here, and volunteer. In the end, it's all for the animals and we want to get them adopted.”

She said the shelters will have offsite adoption events, low-cost vaccine clinics and special adoptions throughout the contest.

The challenge is to save more lives during the months of June, July and August this year than they did for the same three-month period in 2012. The winner will receive a grand prize of $100,000. The two Western Pennsylvania Humane Society shelters are aiming to save a total of 1,900 animals.

Side contests include a Community Engagement Award, Best In Division and Second Place In Division, Most Improved Players, Save 300 More Lives, Month One Fast Start Prizes and Month Two Seventh Inning Stretch Prizes for shelters to win various grant amounts. All contestants who complete the challenge and submit necessary data on time will receive a $1,000 We Did It Grant.

“In a matter of days we filled up all 50 spots, and we have a great mix of shelters of all shapes and sizes representing 31 states and territories,” said Bert Troughton, vice president of community outreach at the ASPCA. “The contest isn't even under way yet, and already we're seeing incredible energy and passion from the field. If that's any indication of how the competition will go, we're in for another record-breaking year of saving lives.”

The two Western Pennsylvania Humane Society shelters will host a series of low-cost vaccination clinics beginning with one on March 23 from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the Elizabeth Township shelter, 1680 Fallen Timber Road. Canine vaccines offered will be rabies for $8, DHPP for $13, DHLPP for $13, Bordetella for $10, and heartworm test for $20. Feline vaccines offered will be rabies for $8, FVRCP for $13, FeLV for $17, and FeLV/FIV test for $25. Pet microchipping will be $15. Vaccine packages are available.

“We'll have multiple vaccination clinics throughout the summer,” Lyle said.

The Fallen Timber Shelter also will be involved with the Hillbilly Hoedown on April 19 from 7:30 p.m. to noon at Elizabeth Bingo Hall. It will be collecting various animal and shelter supplies at the event.

Shelters are located at 1680 Fallen Timber Road in Elizabeth Township, 412-751-2010, and 1101 Western Ave. on Pittsburgh's North Side, 412-321-4625.

More information and available animals can be found at www.wpahumane.org. The website has a new feature in which individuals can make a gift to shelter animals during their time at the Western Pennsylvania Humane Society.

The Humane Society's Facebook page offers adoptable animals, success stories, announcements and shelter news.

Stacy Lee is a staff writer for Trib Total Media. She can be reached at 412-664-9161, ext. 1970, or slee@tribweb.com.

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