A Look Back at Petco Foundation's "Innovation Showdown"

Thanks to seed money won by animal welfare organizations across the nation during the “Innovation Showdown” competition, a better tomorrow is starting to blossom for cats and dogs in need at 10 shelters across the country.

Encouraging ideas that will help change the landscape of animal welfare, The Petco Foundation and the Jackson Galaxy Foundation teamed up to award a total of $190,000 to the organization that dreamed up the best life-saving idea. From the almost 200 entries which were submitted, two winners and eight runners-up were chosen to receive investments, with the competition’s ‘top dogs’ (Brandywine Valley SPCA and Animal Care Centers of NYC) explaining their ideas at The Petco Foundation’s annual gala, where the first ever “Innovation Showdown” took place.

Animal Planet personality Jackson Galaxy joined Suzanne Kogut, the Executive Director of the Petco Foundation, and Daymond John from Shark Tank as judges for the competition, which paid homage to the popular ABC series.

Brandywine Valley SPCA has been presented with $50,000 for the organization’s ‘Mama in the Box” idea, which will make the care of bottle-baby kittens both easier and safer due to its portable design, while Animal Care Centers of NYC received $100,000 for “The ACC Digital Shelter,” which will virtually bring adoptables directly to potential pet parents in The Big Apple through an interactive digital kiosk experience.

The following animal welfare organizations also took part in the challenge, with each receiving $5,000 in seed money– some for ideas which have already taken root, and others for original strategies which have the chance to flourish with proper funding.

- Animal Advocates of South Carolina: Inmates at a correctional facility are helping adoptable cats and dogs embark on a new life with forever pet parents thanks to a program which is already in place, and now has the opportunity to flourish thanks to the additional funds.
- Jackson Humane Society: The non-profit organization has deduced that controlling the feral cat population in the area would be easier with the efforts of a kitten private investigative team.
- Dallas Pets Alive: Giving new life as trendy pet adoption center to a recycled shipping container will also give a new lease on life to cats and dogs in need.

- Golden Paws Society: Tapping into a new generation’s passion for compassion by creating a volunteer army using the National Honor Society model for inspiration.
- Spay & Neuter Kansas City: The chances that a lost pet could be united with their parents would increase exponentially thanks to a universal microchip that prints labels.

Greenville County Animal Care: Educational videos that document the dedication of existing staff and volunteers could train animal welfare associates on a regional and national level.
For All Animals: A turnkey PR software system could be the key for all shelters to raise their profile, increase foot traffic, and get social media and adoption systems up to par.
Pima Animal Care Center: As people with Alzheimer’s and dementia strive to retain their memories they gain the friendship of a feline friend thanks to the center’s program which pairs patients with purring pals from the shelter– an initiative which will expand with help from The Petco Foundation, the Jackson Galaxy Foundation and the Innovation Showdown.

“The Innovation Showdown is a great way for us to support and foster big, positive change for animals,” the My Cat from Hell star stated. “Together, we can make a meaningful impact, which is why we encourage others to join us and support these amazing animal welfare organizations by investing in their lifesaving efforts.”

For news regarding future Innovation Showdowns and the Petco Foundation’s efforts to aid animal welfare work in communities across the country, visit www.petcofoundation.org, or follow the foundation’s via social media through Facebook, Twitter and Instagram. For information about the Jackson Galaxy Foundation, visit www.jacksongalaxyfoundation.org.

Photos courtesy PETCO Foundation

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Grace Sydney

Grace Sydney is the Assistant Editor of CatTipper.com and DogTipper.com, covering rescue-related celebrity activities.