Maddie's Matchmaker Adoptathon

2,312 Adoptions in One Weekend

On June 4^th and 5^th, the San Francisco Bay Area saw unprecedented rain, but that didn't stop thousands of people from coming out to adopt 2,312 shelter dogs and cats in two East Bay counties during the second annual Maddie's^® Matchmaker Adoptathon.

The most exciting news was the adoption of 671 dogs and cats (29%) who were either age seven or older, had been treated for a medical condition, or were both senior and treated for a medical condition. 193 adoptions were of pets over the age of seven.

Forty-five shelter and rescue organizations participated in this year's adoption event, and pets were available at more than 70 locations throughout Alameda and Contra Costa Counties.

Families came from all over Northern California to find a new pet - others came from as far as Oregon and Nevada! Tony La Russa's Animal Rescue Foundation in Walnut Creek reported the first adopter at 4:30 a.m., five hours before their doors opened. The Alameda Animal Shelter had people waiting for two hours in the pouring rain before they opened at 10:00 a.m.

"The outpouring of support from the community was even larger than last year," said Rich Avanzino, Maddie's Fund^® president. "Not only did we see a big increase of adopters, but we also had the gift of generosity from local businesses that opened up their doors to us this year, including Stoneridge Shopping Center in Pleasanton. This event is generating public interest in adopting from shelters, and it's evident that people are taking action - one pet at a time."

Dogs and cats were free to qualified pet lovers, but Maddie's Fund  offered the organizations stipends ranging from $500 to $1,500, adding up to a total outlay for Maddie's Fund of $1.553 million. The Maddie's Fund  "stimulus package" was offered to ease the costs of providing care for harder to place pets.

"Over 20% of the cats that Maine Coon Adoptions rescues are senior or special needs kitties (or both) and this weekend has been invaluable in getting homes for those kitties and in offsetting the costs of rescue so we can save more of these needy cats. Thank You."

Maddie's^® Matchmaker Adoptathon was held in honor of the Foundation's namesake, a Miniature Schnauzer named Maddie.

"My family and I spent the Adoptathon weekend visiting many of the participating locations," said Dave Duffield, Maddie's Fund  founder. "The joy we saw in the animals, as well as the volunteers and the adopters, is the reason we created Maddie's Fund . Maddie gave us so much happiness - we wish all of our adopters a lifetime of love with their new companions."

Most Adoptions:

H.A.L.O.: 182
Oakland Animal Services: 159
Safe Cat Foundation: 132
Tri-Valley Animal Rescue: 102
Tony La Russa's ARF: 96
East Bay Animal Rescue and Refuge: 92