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JEFFERSON PARISH, La. (WGNO) –The American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals presented the Jefferson Parish Animal Shelter with a $150,000 grant as part of the ASPCA’s “150 Days of Rescue” campaign.

The campaign launched earlier this year in honor of the ASPCA’s 150th anniversary and was a nationwide initiative aimed at uniting the country to make a difference in the lives of animals. The campaign encouraged animal lovers from across the country to nominate their favorite shelter or rescue group for the opportunity to win a $150,000 grant.

For 150 days, between April 10 and September 7, animal lovers were encouraged to visit ASPCA150.org and pledge their time to help animals in need, toward an ultimate goal of 150,000 acts of compassion through September 7, 2016. Possible actions included volunteering at a local shelter, fostering and adopting homeless animals, and advocating for stronger animal welfare laws.

Listed below are the five winning shelters of the ‘150 Days of Rescue’ contest:

$150,000 Grand Prize Winner:

Jefferson Parish Animal Shelter, Harahan, La.

$15,000 Prize Winners:

BARCS (Baltimore Animal Rescue and Care Shelter), Baltimore, Md.

Cat Adoption Team, Sherwood, Ore.

Equine Rescue and Adoption Foundation, Palm City, Fla.

Idaho Humane Society, Boise, Idaho

Jefferson Parish SPCA also held a buddy break today for office dwellers to take shelter dogs on a  lunch time stroll. For more information on those adoptable pets contact 504-931-4777, info@jeffersonspca.org, or online at www.jeffersonspca.org