Known by fans of detective fiction for penning page turners, New York Times bestselling author Martha Grimes will help cats in need start a new chapter in their lives through her nonprofit organization Best in Shelter, which will unleash its 2014 virtual cat competition “Meow Madness” on June 5th.
Taking place during Adopt-A-Shelter-Cat Month, “Meow Madness”– a tongue-in-cheek take on the NCAA’s “March Madness”– is a four-week elimination tournament, with animal lovers casting their votes for their favorite feline from eight participating animal shelters and rescue organizations.
In all, 16 purring opponents– each at least one year old– will face off in one of eight polls, with a new round of voting on the Best in Shelter website via Facebook each successive Thursday, leading up to the “Meow Madness” championship between the final two felines remaining in the game on June 26th.
Regardless of which cat turns out to be the competition’s top dog (so to speak), all of the animals from each participating shelter/rescue will be the real winners, as every organization taking part will be awarded a $1,000 grant. Winning cats of the first, second, and third rounds will receive $2,000, $4,000 and $10,000, respectively for their organizations.
At the contest’s conclusion Best in Shelter will award a total of $103,000 to the competing animal shelters and rescues, including $17,000 for the organization featuring the contest’s runner-up and $52,000 for the shelter or rescue who entered the cat who claims victory.
Facilities competing in the battle for the Best in Shelter title are:
- Animal Welfare League of Arlington
- Animal Welfare League of Montgomery County
- Last Chance Animal Rescue
- Lost Dog and Cat Rescue Foundation
- Madison Greene Humane Society
- Seniors for Seniors
- Washington Humane Society
- Washington Animal Rescue League
“Meow Madness” follows in the footsteps of Best in Shelter’s 2012 canine-themed online competition, which distributed $110,000 to four shelters.
Each shelter or rescue organization has chosen two four-pawed competitors who have posed for photos and videos which can be viewed by voters at www.bestinshelter.org.
Photo courtesy BestinShelter.org
- Tyler Bass Fans Donate to Cat Adoption Group - January 24, 2024
- Saint Gertrude of Nivelles, Patron Saint of Cats - January 19, 2024
- Offensive Tackle Daniel Faalele’s Defensive Play for Animal Rights - December 27, 2023