July 13, 2017
Contact:
Sharon Fletcher, Director of Marketing & Communications
925.310.5458
fletcher@maddiesfund.org
Pleasanton, CA, July 13, 2017 -- Maddie's Fund®, a national family foundation established by Dave and Cheryl Duffield to revolutionize the status and well-being of companion animals, has developed and launched a new online platform called Maddie's® Pet Forum. This Forum is an online community developed to increase collaboration, transparency and engagement within the animal welfare industry and with pet caregivers and the general public, all in the name of lifesaving.
The digital forum is the first of its kind within the animal welfare movement, and is a prime example of how technology is being used to lift an entire industry. It offers support and resources to shelter and rescue organization staff and volunteers, research scientists, as well as current and prospective adopters and foster caregivers. Shelter and rescue organization professionals and volunteers from all over the country can communicate, collaborate on projects, ask questions and share expertise; while providing pet guardians, adopters and foster caregivers with support and training in caring for and keeping their pets, and engaging these people in lifesaving.
"So much more can be accomplished by supporting each other and working together than by working alone," said Lars Rabbe, Chief Information Officer at Maddie's Fund. "This is a perfect example of how harnessing the power of technology can achieve a common goal within an industry, which in our case is to save more lives."
Plans are in place to activate forum groups for single topics or groups to broad topics or wide-ranging projects or collaborations across several working groups. The Maddie's® Pet Forum will continue to update and evolve in a phased approach. Best Friends Animal Society is the first group to beta test this forum. The groups currently in beta testing are expected to join the forum in early 2018 with adopters and pet caregivers invited to join after that.
Dr. Sheila D'Arpino, Director of Research at Maddie's Fund added, "While there are so many individual organizations throughout the country - it's important to remember we are all in this together. There is some fantastic and innovative work being done to save lives, and the more we can share and collaborate, the quicker we can find homes for all homeless pets."
To receive updates on the latest on the Maddie's® Pet Forum join the Maddie Network.
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 $275.7 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.