Save the date for the Open Arms Challenge! This Challenge is all about opening our hearts and minds to more accessible and inclusive practices. Twenty-two national organizations are joining forces to encourage animal shelters and foster-based organizations to pilot new approaches that welcome your entire community during the month of April.

And as if increased inclusivity and community engagement weren’t incentive enough, there’s also $420,000 in grant prizes available!

Save the date: Registration will open on January 23 and close on January 30.

The goal of this Challenge is to increase inclusivity and provide a welcoming environment for all community members. What that looks like is different for every organization. It can be as simple as providing literature in multiple languages or returning voicemails in a timely manner to overhauling the adoption application, undertaking bias training or focusing on neighborhoods where adoption events are not held.

This Challenge is funded by Adopt a Pet, California for All Animals, Maddie’s Fund®, Michelson Found Animals Foundation and Ryan Animal Rescue Foundation and in collaboration with Adoptimize, American Pets Alive!, ASPCA, The Association for Animal Welfare Advancement, Best Friends Animal Society, The Community Cats Podcast, Companions and Animals for Reform and Equity (CARE), Cuddly, Greater Good Charities, HeARTS Speak, Humane Society of the United States, Maddie’s® Million Pet Challenge, National Animal Care and Control Association, Petco Love, Petfinder Foundation, PetSmart Charities and Shelter Animals Count.