November 22, 2010
Contact:
Sharon Fletcher, Director of Marketing & Communications
925.310.5458
fletcher@maddiesfund.org
The largest foundation in the world focused strictly on dog and cat welfare intends to get into the animal sheltering business.
Maddie's Fund®, which has given nearly $100 million to animal welfare organizations and colleges of veterinary medicine, is now looking for a site in Alameda County to build its own animal shelter.
Maddie's Fund Founder, Dave Duffield, explains the new direction: "The Foundation started 11 years ago collaborating with many SPCAs and animal shelters throughout the U.S. to save the life of every healthy, sick and injured shelter dog and cat. We've invested our resources in building community collaborations where animal welfare organizations come together to develop successful models of lifesaving; in veterinary colleges to help shelter medicine become part of the veterinary curriculum to train veterinarians to save the lives of sick and injured dogs and cats in animal shelters; and in the implementation of a national strategy to promote accountability and transparency in animal shelter operations.
"We've now reached a point where we need to take the next step. We'll be combining the latest developments in lifesaving with advances in technology to create a new concept in animal sheltering. And we'll be sharing the results, both challenges and successes, with the rest of the world.
"We expect to begin by collaborating with local shelters in Alameda and Contra Costa Counties to make it an optimum situation for the animals and people."
Maddie's Fund anticipates the new shelter will open before 2014.
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.