Empty Shelters in Two Days, Thanks to Maddie

Over 5,000 pets find loving homes at 2015 Maddie's Pet Adoption Days

June 2, 2015

Contact:
Sharon Fletcher, Director of Marketing & Communications
925.310.5458
fletcher@maddiesfund.org

PLEASANTON, Calif., June 2, 2015 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Thanks to Maddie, over 5,000 dogs and cats found homes this past weekend at the nation's largest fee-waived pet adoption event, Maddie's^® Pet Adoption Days, sponsored by Maddie's Fund^®.

Now in its sixth year, Maddie's Pet Adoption Days^® took place in over 100 locations in 6 counties and three States. Eighty-nine shelters and rescue groups worked tirelessly over the two days to give homeless pets a second chance. Communities in Dane County, WI, Washoe County, NV and Alameda, Contra Costa, Santa Clara and San Francisco Counties, CA were buzzing with excitement, and many locations had people lined up hours before their doors opened.

"We are on the one-yard line to achieving our goal of a no-kill nation. Events such as this help bring attention to the amazing companions who are waiting to find their wonderful homes in our nation's shelters. And we are thrilled at the sheer number of people who visited all of the locations over the weekend," said Maddie's Fund President Rich Avanzino. "We congratulate the groups on a successful event, and applaud the thousands of people who opened their hearts and homes to a shelter pet this weekend."

Inspired by one family's love for a Miniature Schnauzer, Maddie's^® Pet Adoption Days has found homes for more than 35,000 homeless dogs and cats since 2010. For each pet adopted, Maddie's Fund gives participating shelters from $200 to $2,500 to help cover the true costs of those adoptions. This funding enables the shelters and rescue groups to save and treat more animals throughout the year.

"Each year, Cheryl and I see the spirit of Maddie at every adoption location we visit," said Maddie's Fund founder Dave Duffield. "It's a tribute to her legacy and the power of one little dog to inspire a movement and bring communities together to find thousands of animals loving homes."

Maddie was a beloved four-legged family member of Dave Duffield, founder of Workday^®; and his wife, Cheryl. For the last six years, Maddie's Fund, their family foundation, has sponsored Maddie's^® Pet Adoption Days to honor her memory.

For more information about Maddie's Fund visit www.maddiesfund.org.

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.