In mid-December, we launched our first-ever CultureMap Austin Charity Challenge in order to shine a light on the city’s much-needed nonprofits. Highlighting eight local organizations and their impact on Austin, we released a series of mini-profiles to help you, our readers, decide which of them deserved to be our 2016 charity partner.

The poll has been tallied, and the organization that came out on top was Austin Pets Alive! (APA) with over 50 percent of the vote. By winning the 2016 Charity Challenge, APA will receive a CultureMap advertising package worth $10,000.

APA maintains comprehensive, innovative programs designed to save animals most at risk for euthanasia. Since 2008, APA has saved more than 30,000 pets and found them forever homes.

APA has created programs like The PASS Program (Positive Alternative to Shelter Surrender), which provides assistance to pet owners who may be unable to house their pets, significantly reducing the number of animals that enter the shelter system.

Through developing innovative programs for at-risk animals, APA has helped Austin become and maintain its status as the largest no-kill city in the country. We at CultureMap look forward to this Charity Challenge partnership and helping to further the nonprofit’s important work in our community.

For more information on Austin Pets Alive! and how you can get involved, visit the website.