PAWS Wakefield Named Winner of ASPCA’s Share the Love Shelter Incentive Contest

The following was submitted by PAWS:

Protection of Animals in Wakefield Society, Inc. (PAWS) has been selected as the first prize winner of ASPCA's (American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals^®) nationwide Share the Love shelter incentive contest.  PAWS will be awarded a $20,000 grant that will be used to assist the charity in its ongoing effort to promote and protect the rights and well-being of all domestic animals and wildlife.

“We are thrilled and honored to be named the winner of this year’s Share the Love shelter incentive contest,” said PAWS president and Reading resident Sue DiMeo. “The $20,000 award is much needed and will be put to good use as we continue to care for the many local animals in need.”

For every new Subaru vehicle sold or leased during the Share the Love promotion, which ran from November 19, 2011 through January 3, 2012, Subaru, Inc. pledged to donate $250 to the customer’s choice of one of several charities.  Those funds donated to ASPCA were then distributed by ASPCA to the winners of their national shelter incentive contest. 

The contest paired animal welfare organizations with local Subaru dealers and encouraged the shelters to hold a year-end event that would promote pet adoptions as well as raise funds and donations for their organizations. 

Subaru of Wakefield partnered with PAWS to sponsor the annual adoption awareness event, which generated a record-breaking number of end-of-year adoptions for the all-volunteer animal organization, and created the winning entry in the ASPCA contest. 

DiMeo expressed the organization’s gratitude to Subaru of Wakefield for hosting the event and to the many volunteers, donors, and local businesses that helped make the event successful, especially the event-day participants: VCA Wakefield Animal Hospital, A Touch of Solitude, AdopTeesonline.com, Boston Sports Club, Dr. Beth Innis of Sleepy Dog Acupuncture & Holistic Home Care, Echo Dogs, Mix 104.1, and MUSH, Inc.

PAWS is celebrating their 30th anniversary this year and has assisted more than 10,000 local animals during that time.  For more information about PAWS, adopting a pet, or volunteering, contact PAWS at 781-246-6111 or pawswakefield@yahoo.com or visit their website.