BARCS competes in the 2012 ASPCA Rachael Ray $100K Challenge

They're one of 50 nationwide shelters hoping big increases in adoptions will lead to big prize money.

The race is on to save animal lives, one adoption at a time.

The 2012 ASPCA Rachael Ray $100K Challenge kicks off Aug. 1. It's a 3-month competition among 50 animal shelters across the nation. Each shelter's goal is to increase their adoptions so they'll win some of the more than $500,000 in prize grants to be given away, including a grand prize of $100,000.

Baltimore Animal Rescue and Care Shelter is one of the 50 contestants. They'll try to save at least 300 more cats and dogs during the months of August, September and October than they did during that same time period last year.

Learn more about the competition at the ASPCA's site.