(Alameda, California) On May 15th, Maddie's Fund and the California Veterinary Medical Association (CVMA) will complete both their multi-year feral cat altering program and their pet altering program for low-income caregivers. By the time the last stitch is sewn, the programs will have exceeded their combined one year goal of 90,000 surgeries (60,000 feral cats; 30,000 dogs and cats of low-income caregivers).
"In less than three years, over 200,000 spay/neuters have been performed on a targeted population of dogs and cats that have historically been underserved. That's a phenomenal accomplishment unprecedented in the history of animal welfare," according to Maddie's Fund President Rich Avanzino. "This achievement raises the bar and sets a new standard for the country. And it brings us one step closer to reaching our no-kill nation goal."
The $12 million in grant monies that Maddie's Fund has awarded to the CVMA exceeds the total amount given by all foundations to perform spay/neuter surgeries since the animal welfare movement began in this country.
"Maddie's Fund dollars got the ball rolling," said Avanzino, "but this extraordinary outcome was made possible by the leadership of the California Veterinary Medical Association, the widespread support and participation of over one thousand private practice veterinarians, and the dedication of animal lovers and feral cat caregivers throughout the state."
These programs wouldn't have started if it weren't for a dog named Maddie.
Maddie was a Miniature Schnauzer with an indomitable spirit who gave so much joy and happiness to Dave and Cheryl Duffield, they started a $200 million foundation in her name. Because of the influence of this one small dog, millions of abandoned animals throughout the nation will be given a better life.
Thanks to Maddie,
- 162,000 feral cats will be spayed or neutered by May 15th, as will
- 46,000 dogs and cats belonging to low-income caregivers.
It's estimated that one unspayed female cat, her mate and all of their offspring producing two litters per year with 2.8 surviving kittens per litter can total 370,000 kittens in just seven years. Clearly, Maddie's Fund, the CVMA and its member veterinarians have prevented the births of countless numbers of unwanted offspring, most of whom would end up in animal shelters. Without having to face this wave of abandoned animals, California animal shelters are now in a unique position to lower their death rates by focusing their resources on finding more homes for the animals in their care.
The California Veterinary Medical Association is exploring the possibility of submitting a proposal for a fourth program to be funded by Maddie's Fund. The just completed spay/neuter programs have certainly laid the foundation for the next step, which will incorporate private practice veterinarians into the collaborative process of building safety nets of care for companion animals community by community.
About Maddie's Fund: Maddie's Fund, the Pet Rescue Foundation, is a family foundation endowed through the generosity of Cheryl and Dave Duffield, PeopleSoft Founder and Board Chairman. The foundation is helping to fund the creation of a no-kill nation. The first step is to help create programs that guarantee loving homes for all healthy, adoptable shelter dogs and cats. The next step will be to save the sick and injured pets in animal shelters. For more information about Maddie's Fund, visit www.maddiesfund.org.
