What’s better than being part of America’s largest no-kill city? Sharing your expertise with others around the country to help increase animal lifesaving in their communities! That’s why we’re thrilled to award a three-year $4 million grant to Austin Pets Alive! to support Maddie’s^® Lifesaving Academy at Austin Pets Alive! and Austin Animal Center in Texas.

Over the next three years, the grant will provide nearly 2,000 animal welfare workers across the country the opportunity to learn on-site from leaders in Austin through 18 apprenticeships and three master classes. The goal is for students to take what they’ve learned at this training academy and apply it in their own communities. An array of learning topics offered will cover everything from medical and behavior, to foster care and fundraising and more.

“The City of Austin is a model city for lifesaving and is important to both our movement and the country,” said Lisa Ward, Co-Director of Education at Maddie’s Fund. “The ripple effect of lifesaving education spreading to communities across the U.S. will be exponential. This is just one more step in our goal to help ensure all of the dogs and cats in America find a loving home or habitat.”

Learn more, and see what Dr. Ellen Jefferson, Executive Director at Austin Pets Alive!, and Lee Ann Shenefiel, Interim Chief Animal Services Officer at the City of Austin Animal Services Office, had to say, in the full press release.