Ventura County Animal Services (VCAS) has been invited to compete in the qualifying round of the highly competitive ASPCA $100K Challenge, a national competition between 50 shelters to adopt out more animals during August, September and October in 2011 than in 2010. The winning shelter will receive a $100,000 grant from the American Society of Prevention of Cruelty to Animals.

To secure a spot among the 50 participating shelters in the final competition, Ventura County Animal Services needs your help. From April 4 to April 14, shelter supporters can cast a vote once a day for Ventura County Animal Services. Voting will take place on line at the ASPCA website – www.votetosavelives.org . Animal Services has also set up a link to this site on both their website: www.vcas.us and Facebook page www.facebook.com/VCAnimalServices. Starting Monday April 4, simply go to one of these sites and hit the red ASPCA $100k Vote Button. The 50 shelters with the most votes at the end of the two weeks will be finalists in the ASPCA $100K Challenge.

During the three-month span of the Challenge, the shelter that raises its adoption numbers the most will receive a $100,000 ASPCA grant. The challenge also will award $20,000 to the top-performing regional shelters and $25,000 to the shelter that best engages its community.

“This Challenge is a competition that inspires shelters everywhere to raise their adoption numbers in creative ways. We’re ready, willing and able to meet that challenge,” said Animal Services Director Monica Nolan. “Winning it would make a huge impact in the lives of our shelter pets.”

For more information on the ASPCA $100k Challenge, go the Ventura County Animal Services website: www.vcas.us