August 31, 2016
Contact:
Sharon Fletcher, Director of Marketing & Communications
925.310.5458
[email protected]
PLEASANTON, CA--(August 31, 2016) - Maddie's Fund®, a national family foundation based in Pleasanton, CA, awarded Austin Pets Alive!, in partnership with Austin Animal Center, $442,250 to support the beginning of an Austin-based Training Academy to teach other organizations a systematic method for achieving no-kill in their home communities.
"Thanks to Maddie, more communities will have the education and resources to implement and run successful lifesaving programs, which will help us achieve our goal of a no-kill country," said Dr. Ellen Jefferson, Executive Director of Austin Pets Alive!. "We are excited to share what we have learned so that other leaders can prevent recreating the wheel and can have immediate positive impact in areas they may be currently struggling with."
The No-Kill Training Academy at Austin Pets Alive! will enable organizations and people to develop systematic methods for saving shelter animals' lives. It will start as a pilot to assess demand and to develop and measure the training's effectiveness. The funds will be concentrated in the development of standard operating procedures as well as the hiring of several key leadership positions: Maddie's Director of Education, Maddie's Assistant to Programs Austin Pets Alive! Cat Programs, Maddie's Assistant to Programs Austin Pets Alive! Dog Programs, and Maddie's Executive Assistant Austin Pets Alive!
"This is a huge step toward making America a no-kill nation," said Laurie Peek, Executive Leadership Team, Maddie's Fund. "By sharing knowledge and resources with others, both in-person and online, the No-Kill Training Academy at Austin Pets Alive! will help ensure organizations across the U.S. have what they need to guarantee all animals a healthy home or habitat."
About Maddie's Fund
Dave and Cheryl Duffield established Maddie's Fund®, their family foundation, in 1994. It is the fulfillment of a promise to their dog, Maddie, who provided them much joy over ten years and continues to inspire us today.
The Foundation has awarded over $313 million in grants toward increased community collaborations and live outcomes, pioneering shelter medicine education, establishing foster care as a standard across the U.S. and driving innovation in access to care. 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, removing barriers and operating within a culture of inclusiveness and humility. All Thanks to Maddie.
Maddie's Fund is part of The Duffield Foundation Family, which also includes Liberty Dogs and Dave & Cheryl Duffield Foundation.