Press release:

Regional Animal Services of King County (RASKC) has been chosen as one of just fifty animal organizations in the nation to compete in the 2013 ASPCA Rachael Ray $100K Challenge. The organizations will be vying for more than $600,000 in grant funds, including a grand prize of $100,000 to the shelter with the greatest increase in lives saved through pet adoptions and returning strays to their owners.

RASKC handles animal services for SeaTac and Tukwila.

“Regional Animal Services is committed to improving animal welfare in King County, and participating in the ASPCA Rachael Ray $100K Challenge will help us further that commitment,” said RASKC manager Dr. Gene Mueller. “Our staff and volunteers are excited about taking part in this competition, but broad community support will also be crucial. So, we hope to engage the residents and businesses of King County to help us connect cats and dogs at the Pet Adoption Center with loving homes.”

During the $100K Challenge, which runs from June 1 through August 31, RASKC will hold a number of special events at the Pet Adoption Center in Kent and throughout King County, hoping to get more pets into forever homes. There is also a $25,000 Community Engagement Award that will go to the shelter that gathers the most votes online from August 15-31. Facebook and Twitter users can get involved in the Challenge by posting using the hashtag #100KChallenge, and by “liking” RASKC on Facebook at www.facebook.com/KCPetsRegionalAnimalShelter, or by following @kcpets on Twitter at www.twitter.com/KCPets.

Last year, Regional Animal Services found new homes for 2,500 animals and returned 752 stray pets to their owners. In addition, RASKC lowered its euthanasia rate to just 13.6 percent, a decrease from 17.6 percent in 2009. This is among the lowest rates in the nation for shelters like the King County Pet Adoption Center.

“We’re already winning by lowering our euthanasia rate and finding great homes for wonderful pets,” added Dr. Mueller. “While collecting the big prize in the $100K Challenge would be wonderful, Regional Animal Services and the pets of King County will win regardless as we work with our residents and our partner cities to save even more pets’ lives this summer.”

For more information about the 2013 ASPCA Rachael Ray $100K Challenge, visit www.aspca.org/100KChallenge. For more information about RASKC, visit www.kingcounty.gov/pets or call 206-296-PETS (7387).