ASPCA Awards $5,000 to Coastal Humane Society of Brunswick, Maine

NEW YORK — The ASPCA® (The American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals®) today announced a grant of $5,000 to be awarded to the Coastal Humane Society of Brunswick, Maine, in connection with their participation in Subaru of America Inc.'s "Share the Love Event" with Evergreen Subaru of Auburn, Maine.

"We are thrilled to recognize Coastal Humane Society for their work on behalf of the community's homeless pets," said Elysia Howard, Vice President of Marketing & Licensing for the ASPCA.  "The support of organizations across the country has shown us how truly dedicated Americans are to supporting the vital work of our nation's animal shelters."

This year, the ASPCA conducted a contest, in conjunction with the "Share the Love Event," to find the most compelling events and activities created by local animal welfare agencies and Subaru dealerships.  Five winners were selected for their inspired entries, dedicated to promoting animal shelters as the best places to adopt, while finding loving homes for their adoptable pets.  The winners who received the $5,000 donation included: Coastal Humane Society, Delaware Humane Association for their event at Delaware Subaru in Wilmington, Del., the Humane Society of Bay County for their event at Buzz Leonard Subaru in Panama City, Fla., Kent County SPCA who partnered with Dover Volkswagen Subaru in Dover, Del., and Oklahoma Alliance for Animals for their event at Ferguson Subaru in Tulsa, Okla.

Coastal Humane Society partnered with Evergreen Subaru to host an adoption event at the dealership on January 2.  The two organizations also participated in Subaru's national "Share the Love Event," a campaign designed to allow new Subaru vehicle owners to help worthy causes.  From November 21, 2009 through January 4, 2010, customers who purchased or leased a new Subaru were able to select from five charities to receive a $250 donation from Subaru of America.

Coastal Humane Society's contest entry also included a video of the event, which promoted winter-time adoptions, which was then posted to their website and youtube.com, and featured in their e-newsletter and Facebook page.

During the "Share the Love Event", the ASPCA helped match Subaru dealers with local animal welfare agencies around the country, which resulted in more than 350 adoptions and raised $28,000 for local agencies.