Maddie's Lifesaving Award in Charlottesville & Albemarle County, Virginia 

The Charlottesville-Albermarle SPCA has achieved no-kill status for its community for shelter dogs and cats and has maintained it for two years. The community consists of the City of Charlottesville and County of Albemarle, Virginia.

The shelter takes in approximately 4,700 dogs and cats per year. In 2006, the annual live release rate community-wide was 90%. In 2007, the live release rate was 87%.

In recognition of this outstanding achievement, Maddie's Fund gave the SPCA its Lifesaving Award and an unrestricted grant of $412,050.

Grant funds have been put to good use, according to Executive Director, Susanne Kogut. "The money went to underwrite growing medical costs related to providing an adoption guarantee for treatable pets, into all our existing programs, towards capital improvements, such as drainage and flooring, and to increase spay/neuter surgeries. We also used it to expand marketing efforts to boost adoptions. We had a number of adopt-a-thons, including a pirate themed one with the slogan 'Find Your Hidden Treasure at the SPCA.' The staff dressed as pirates, and we had lots of games for the kids. We like to make it fun."