This post was contributed by a community member. The views expressed here are the author's own.

Community Corner

Cobb Animal Control Begins Race to $100,000 with Adopt-A-Thon

The organization is one of 50 nationwide competing for grants from the ASPCA, which will award money to those who improve their adoption rates the most.

Vendors, animal rescue groups, volunteers and people looking to adopt filled the lawn of the Cobb County animal shelter on Saturday to kick off the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals’ Save More Lives $100K Challenge.

Out of the 50 shelters competing in the challenge nationwide, the ones with gains of at least 300 adoptions from 2010 to 2011 will qualify for prize money from a pool of $300,000. The ASPCA compares adoptions from August to October from both years.

The shelter with the biggest increase will receive $100,000, while second place gets $25,000. Grants of $20,000 each will be awarded to five regional winners.

Find out what's happening in Mariettawith free, real-time updates from Patch.

Originally, there were 95 shelters contending for the money, but only 50 got to move on after a round of online voting in April. Cobb from citizens, putting it in 21st place among the 50 contestants.

Saturday's Adopt-A-Thon averaged 10 adoptions per hour, which is a vast increase from a typical day's rates, volunteers said. The event included music, food, police K-9 demonstrations, raffle prizes and special adoption rates.

Find out what's happening in Mariettawith free, real-time updates from Patch.

There will be two other Adopt-A-Thon events: one on Sept. 10 and another on Oct. 8.

Download the movie

We’ve removed the ability to reply as we work to make improvements. Learn more here

The views expressed in this post are the author's own. Want to post on Patch?