SAVANNAH, Ga. (AP) -- An animal welfare group is awarding $25,000 to the Humane Society for Greater Savannah for its work saving dogs and cats brought to its animal shelter.

The American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals says the Savannah shelter won the grant after it saved 739 animals in a three-month period from August through October.

The money was awarded as part of a competition between 49 animal shelters in 33 states with a grand prize of $100,000, which went to a shelter in Austin, Texas. Winners were announced Wednesday.

The ASCPA said the Savannah Human Society's animal rescues were more than double the number it saved in the same period last year. The national group said competing shelters saved a total of
52,484 animals during the contest period.

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