Animal shelter has chance of winning $100,000

The Animal Services Center of the Mesilla Valley has a chance to win $100,000. The animal shelter is ranked 10th in a nationwide challenge to get animals into homes.

The 2013 ASPCA Rachael Ray $100,000 Challenge looks at how shelters across the country improve from last year.

So far, the Dona Ana County shelter has helped 540 cats and dogs, 156 more than last year.

The shelter is ranked ahead of bigger cities like Washington, D.C., and Salt Lake City.

Shelter director Dr. Beth Vesco-Mock said if the shelter wins, the money will go toward “something big.”

Whether or not they win, shelter employees told ABC-7 they’re glad to save more animal lives everyday.

“It’s a really sad fact to see how many animals do come into the shelter, how many unfortunately do have to be euthanized. So the more people who come and reclaim their animals or come and adopt, that’s one more animal we don’t have to see a sad ending for,” said Bernice Navarro, the shelter’s challenge coordinator.

The contest ends next month.

This weekend there are several events planned, including dog and cat adoptions at the Las Cruces Farmer’s and Crafts Market downtown from 8:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. and at PetCo on East Lohman from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.

For more information on adoption, microchipping or affordable spay/neuter procedures, contact the Animal Services Center of the Mesilla Valley at 575-382-0018.