Press Room

Contact:

Rich Avanzino
President
Maddie's Fund
(510) 337-8979

DOG AND CAT ADOPTIONS UP 32%;
SHELTER DEATHS DOWN 18%
IN ALACHUA COUNTY, FLORIDA

Achievement triggers second year grant

(Alameda, CA – September 2003) In its first year of operation, a coalition of animal control, rescue agencies and veterinary clinics in Alachua County, Florida, has produced impressive lifesaving results.

As of July 31st, Maddie's® Pet Rescue Project in Alachua County, Florida, had increased total dog and cat adoptions by 32% over the baseline Year 2000. Adoptions at no-kill organizations rose 145% over baseline. The project exceeded its Year One above baseline adoption goal by 11%.

In the same one-year time period, overall shelter deaths declined 18%. Euthanasia of healthy, adoptable pets declined 54% from the baseline year.

The impressive statistics triggered the first installment of a $413,000 second year grant from Maddie's Fund. As goals are achieved, Maddie's Fund intends to provide as much as $2.3 million over five years to end the killing of healthy, shelter animals in Alachua County by 2007.

"Every one of our funded projects has had its unique challenges and Maddie's® Pet Rescue Project in Alachua County is no exception," commented Maddie's Fund President, Rich Avanzino. "But you can't argue with success. This collaboration has truly done an outstanding job of reaching goals and saving lives. Many people have given 110% to make this project work. Congratulations are in order to everyone involved."

Partners in Maddie's® Pet Rescue Project in Alachua County include Alachua County Animal Services, Gainesville Pet Rescue, Alachua County Humane Society, Puppy Hill Farm, Haile Plantation Veterinary Hospital and Helping Hands Pet Rescue at West End Animal Hospital.

A Change in Direction

Midway through the Project's first year, Maddie's Fund changed its policy for funding spay/neuter surgeries. The decision was made to shift from a voucher program to a project administered by local veterinarians.

On July 1, 2003, the Alachua County Veterinary Medical Association received the first installment of a one year, $220,000 Maddie's Fund grant to administer Maddie's® Spay/Neuter Project.

With a first year goal of 3,665 surgeries, participating member veterinarians are offering dog spays and neuters for $20 and cat surgeries for $10 to low-income county residents receiving Medicaid assistance. Maddie's Fund is contributing between $20 and $90 per surgery depending upon species and gender. Veterinarians will contribute the remainder of the cost by reducing their fees to help more low-income pet owners spay/neuter their companion animals.

To follow the progress of Maddie's® Pet Rescue Project and Maddie's® Spay Neuter Project in Alachua County, Florida, log on to the Maddie's Fund website.