Thursday, March 7, 2019
Contact:
Sharon Fletcher, Director of Marketing & Communications
925.310.5458
fletcher@maddiesfund.org
Pleasanton, Calif., March 7, 2019 - Maddie's Fund®, a national family foundation established by Dave and Cheryl Duffield to revolutionize the status and well-being of companion animals, has created a special PSA to encourage kitten fostering ahead of the hectic kitten season at animal shelters.
Hamilton Pug and his brother Rufus have fostered several kittens and cats this past year in their New York City apartment, which they lovingly refer to as the #pugbnb. By providing a safe and warm environment, Hamilton and Rufus get these tiny felines ready for adoption by socializing them to the activity of everyday life in a home with humans, and possibly other animals.
"Kitten season is stressful for even the most experienced animal shelters, and foster homes help to relieve the pressure that is put on animal shelters each spring and summer," said Kelly Duer, Foster Care Specialist at Maddie's Fund. "Fostering not only helps the individual animal, but frees up space in the shelter, allowing organizations to save even more lives."
The adventures in kitten fostering have been well documented on social media and demonstrate how fun and rewarding fostering can be, so the PSA was a natural extension. This short video can be used by animal shelters to help promote their individual foster care programs, as well as to encourage the general public to seek out fostering opportunities in their local area.
"We think fostering is a job for just about anyone," says Mary Ippoliti-Smith, Executive Leadership Team at Maddie's Fund. "Foster care is the gold standard in lifesaving, and foster caregivers are VIPS of our movement. There are many types of foster programs to choose from. So whether you prefer kittens or puppies, live in a studio apartment or a large home, have a few days or a few months, there is a foster program that's right for you."
Watch the PSA, then contact your local shelter or rescue organization to get started.
About Maddie's Fund
Maddie's Fund® is a family foundation established in 1994 by Dave and Cheryl Duffield and is the fulfillment of a promise to their inspirational dog, Maddie. She provided them much joy from 1987 – 1997 and continues to inspire them today.
The Foundation has awarded over $265 million in grants toward increased community lifesaving, pioneering shelter medicine education and establishing foster care as a standard across the U.S.
Maddie's Fund proudly offers the industry a national voice, important funding opportunities for bold ideas, learning resources and access to collaborate and share innovative solutions. The Foundation invests its resources in a commitment to keeping pets and people together, creating a safety net of care for animals in need and operating within a culture of inclusiveness and humility. #ThanksToMaddie.