Another round of Innovation Grant recipients have come up with another inspiring list of ideas for growing foster care and adoption at their organizations.
“It was fun to see the creativity these groups came up with for their programs in the October 2017 grant application cycle,” said Kelly Clardy, Maddie’s Fund Senior Grants Specialist. “Applications for the ‘Removing Barriers to Adoption’ category included ideas like reduced or waived adoption fees, opening shelters additional hours during the week for increased adoptions and implementing Adopters Welcome and Adoption Ambassadors programs. Clay County Animal Rescue and Shelter in Illinois is expanding their hours to include Saturday afternoons in the hopes of increasing adoptions.”
In the “Innovative Foster Care” category, she said, “We saw ideas like foster kits, foster sleepover programs and foster programs for specific medical cases like kennel cough and surgical recovery. Grand Strand Humane Society in South Carolina is creating a fospice (foster hospice) program for terminally ill animals.”
Check out the recipients and their superstar ideas below.
| Organization Name | State | Project | Category |
|---|---|---|---|
| A Pathway to Hope | NJ | Temporary boarding at a doggy daycare and boarding facility | Removing Barriers to Adoption (Adoption Ambassadors, Adopters Welcome, Open Adoptions, etc.) |
| Angel’s Rest Animal Sanctuary | OH | Elder Paws foster program | Innovative Foster Care |
| Animal Care Centers of NYC | NY | Hosting Mobile Foster Events | Innovative Foster Care |
| Animal Compassion Team of CA | CA | “Weekend Warriors” – weekend foster program | Innovative Foster Care |
| Animal Welfare League of Arlington | VA | Hire a Kitten Foster Coordinator to run their Kitten Academy Foster Program | Innovative Foster Care |
| Arizona Humane Society | AZ | Develop, launch and promote a new an online foster-orthopedic training module | Innovative Foster Care |
| Athens Area Humane Society | GA | Training for their vet student fosters | Innovative Foster Care |
| Augusta Animal Services | GA | Create a foster program for puppies, kittens and adult pets who need socialization | Innovative Foster Care |
| Baltimore Animal Rescue and Care Shelter | MD | Create foster bottle baby kits | Innovative Foster Care |
| BestPals Animal Rescue Center | MI | Yoga to draw the public to the shelter to help showcase the cats in a free-roaming setting | Removing Barriers to Adoption (Adoption Ambassadors, Adopters Welcome, Open Adoptions, etc.) |
| Boone Area Humane Society | IA | Expand their foster program to include adult cats | Removing Barriers to Adoption (Adoption Ambassadors, Adopters Welcome, Open Adoptions, etc.) |
| Brookhaven Animal Rescue League | MS | Provide the public with an opportunity to adopt a cat for $10 | Removing Barriers to Adoption (Adoption Ambassadors, Adopters Welcome, Open Adoptions, etc.) |
| Brother Wolf Animal Rescue | NC | Training for fosters and foster teams of special needs animals | Innovative Foster Care |
| Burbank Animal Shelter | CA | Purchase portable tablets to place outside the kennels of long term animals | Removing Barriers to Adoption (Adoption Ambassadors, Adopters Welcome, Open Adoptions, etc.) |
| Cache Humane Society | UT | Implement a Seniors to Seniors adoption program | Removing Barriers to Adoption (Adoption Ambassadors, Adopters Welcome, Open Adoptions, etc.) |
| Caring for Canines | AZ | Assign a mentor and a behavior modification specialist to evaluate each dog | Removing Barriers to Adoption (Adoption Ambassadors, Adopters Welcome, Open Adoptions, etc.) |
| Carroll County Animal Shelter | GA | Reduce the adoption fee for large, adult dogs | Removing Barriers to Adoption (Adoption Ambassadors, Adopters Welcome, Open Adoptions, etc.) |
| Castaway Cats | DE | Implement live streaming videos in foster homes to showcase cats to potential adopters | Innovative Foster Care |
| Cat Adoption Team | OR | “Maddie’s Adoption Packages” – including: medications, supplies, food, litter, toys | Removing Barriers to Adoption (Adoption Ambassadors, Adopters Welcome, Open Adoptions, etc.) |
| Cat Around Town Project | SC | Build outdoor enclosures for third-trimester pregnant cats (friendly ferals) their kittens | Innovative Foster Care |
| Central Oklahoma Humane Society | OK | Behavior Foster Pilot Program | Innovative Foster Care |
| Chesapeake Animal Services | VA | Boarding/fostering at vet hospitals for animals undergoing medical treatment | Innovative Foster Care |
| Cheyenne Animal Shelter | WY | Fosters for neonatal kittens and nursing mothers | Innovative Foster Care |
| City of Fort Worth Animal Care and Control | TX | Heartworm treatment for heartworm positive dogs to help make them more adoptable | Innovative Foster Care |
| Clay County Animal Rescue and Shelter | IL | Open the shelter to the public on Saturday afternoons | Removing Barriers to Adoption (Adoption Ambassadors, Adopters Welcome, Open Adoptions, etc.) |
| Clermont Animal CARE Humane Society | OH | Implement targeted adoption | Removing Barriers to Adoption (Adoption Ambassadors, Adopters Welcome, Open Adoptions, etc.) |
| Crafty Cat Rescue | MI | Foster Care Kits and Foster Library | Innovative Foster Care |
| Department of Animal Care and Control | CA | Mobile adoption application | Removing Barriers to Adoption (Adoption Ambassadors, Adopters Welcome, Open Adoptions, etc.) |
| Department of Animal Services of El Paso | TX | Support for foster dogs with kennel cough | Innovative Foster Care |
| Doxie Rescue of Bucks County & NJ | PA | Create an online foster portal | Innovative Foster Care |
| EASEL Animal Rescue League | NJ | Starter Kits for kitten fosters | Innovative Foster Care |
| East Ridge Animal Services | TN | Offer Adoption Packages, including food and supplies | Removing Barriers to Adoption (Adoption Ambassadors, Adopters Welcome, Open Adoptions, etc.) |
| Foothills Animal Rescue | AZ | Create an app to send notifications to foster families of new animals looking for fosters | Innovative Foster Care |
| Foster Dogs Incorporated | NY | Overhaul their “Foster Roster” database | Innovative Foster Care |
| Franklin County Humane Society Inc. | VA | Adding open hours at the adoption center on Sunday afternoons and Thursday evenings | Removing Barriers to Adoption (Adoption Ambassadors, Adopters Welcome, Open Adoptions, etc.) |
| Friends of Austin Animal Center | TX | Create a mobile app to help streamline dog playgroups | Removing Barriers to Adoption (Adoption Ambassadors, Adopters Welcome, Open Adoptions, etc.) |
| Friends of Austin Animal Center | TX | Neighborhood fee-waived adoption events including collar,ID tag and supplies | Removing Barriers to Adoption (Adoption Ambassadors, Adopters Welcome, Open Adoptions, etc.) |
| Friends of Colleton County Animal Shelter | SC | Provide crates and kennels to fosters of medium and large adult dogs | Innovative Foster Care |
| Friends of the Palm Springs Animal Shelter | CA | Create Behavior Foster Kits to help fosters provide training for behaviorally challenged dogs. | Innovative Foster Care |
| Grand Strand Humane Society | SC | Fospice program for terminally ill animals | Innovative Foster Care |
| Haile’s Angels Pet Rescue | FL | Create “Elite Freedom Foster” team to promote and finalize adoptions and recruit new fosters | Removing Barriers to Adoption (Adoption Ambassadors, Adopters Welcome, Open Adoptions, etc.) |
| Half the Way Home Cat Rescue | GA | Implementing a no-fee pet adoption program for the first three months of 2018 | Removing Barriers to Adoption (Adoption Ambassadors, Adopters Welcome, Open Adoptions, etc.) |
| HART for Animals, Inc. | MD | Create a kitten URI isolation room | Removing Barriers to Adoption (Adoption Ambassadors, Adopters Welcome, Open Adoptions, etc.) |
| Home for Good Dog Rescue, Inc. | NJ | Provide CPR and first aid training to foster families | Innovative Foster Care |
| Homeward Bound WV, Inc. | WV | Purchase wifi cameras for foster homes to showcase adoptable animals | Innovative Foster Care |
| HOPE Animal Shelter | AZ | Foster program specifically for dogs with “Valley Fever” | Innovative Foster Care |
| Humane Society of Boulder Valley | CO | Provide support for seniors including pet deopsits, vet care, adoption fees | Removing Barriers to Adoption (Adoption Ambassadors, Adopters Welcome, Open Adoptions, etc.) |
| Humane Society of Sedona | AZ | Training program and post-adoption support for dogs with the longest LOS at the facility | Removing Barriers to Adoption (Adoption Ambassadors, Adopters Welcome, Open Adoptions, etc.) |
| Humane Society of Southern Wisconsin | WI | Create foster program for dogs with severe illnesses like parvovirus or distemper | Innovative Foster Care |
| Humane Society of Union County | NC | Monthly meetings for fosters with a local animal behaviorist | Innovative Foster Care |
| Humane Society Silicon Valley | CA | Create a “fast-track” foster program for highly adoptable dogs | Innovative Foster Care |
| KittyKind, Inc | NY | Expand foster program to include fosters for select populations of animals | Innovative Foster Care |
| Lewisburg Animal Shelter Volunteers | TN | Pilot program to intake cats, provide medical care, fostering and adoption | Removing Barriers to Adoption (Adoption Ambassadors, Adopters Welcome, Open Adoptions, etc.) |
| Lucky Dog Animal Rescue | VA | Create “Puppy Foster Starter Kit” Program and recruit 15 new puppy litter fosters | Innovative Foster Care |
| McKamey Animal Center | TN | Create a binder with advice/training and increase advertisement for the foster program | Innovative Foster Care |
| Meow Parlour Cats | NY | Create a foster program to improve operations of their café | Innovative Foster Care |
| Michigan Pet Fund Alliance | MI | Provide a Behavior Specialist to work with shelters and rescues | Removing Barriers to Adoption (Adoption Ambassadors, Adopters Welcome, Open Adoptions, etc.) |
| Missy’s Haven | TX | Implement hospice foster homes | Innovative Foster Care |
| Paris Animal Welfare Society | KY | Implement Adoption Ambassador program | Removing Barriers to Adoption (Adoption Ambassadors, Adopters Welcome, Open Adoptions, etc.) |
| Paw Works, Inc. | CA | “Sunday Sleepover” foster program | Innovative Foster Care |
| Pawsitively Furever Dog Rescue | NJ | Streamline their adoption process; volunteer education | Removing Barriers to Adoption (Adoption Ambassadors, Adopters Welcome, Open Adoptions, etc.) |
| People Helping Paws | MO | Create foster mentor program | Innovative Foster Care |
| Pets In Need | CA | Create a Foster Program for animals with behavioral challenges | Innovative Foster Care |
| Pets Lifeline | CA | Implement new 8-week specialized foster training | Innovative Foster Care |
| PetsEmpower | RI | Fostering dogs of domestic violence survivors | Innovative Foster Care |
| Pivot Educational Outreach | CA | Pair shelter dogs with individuals in sober living locations and public charter schools | Innovative Foster Care |
| Prairie Paws Animal Shelter | KS | Reduce adoption fees for long-term shelter dogs | Removing Barriers to Adoption (Adoption Ambassadors, Adopters Welcome, Open Adoptions, etc.) |
| Project Hope Humane Society | IL | Provide basic obedience and house training for dogs in foster care | Removing Barriers to Adoption (Adoption Ambassadors, Adopters Welcome, Open Adoptions, etc.) |
| Rainbow Rescues Inc | MA | Materials for their Rainbow Rescues Foster Program | Innovative Foster Care |
| Ramona Humane Society | CA | Empower fosters to market their foster animal and process adoptions | Innovative Foster Care |
| Ready for Rescue | NY | Partnership with a senior organizationfor fostering senior cats | Innovative Foster Care |
| Rebound Hounds ResQ | CT | Orientation/training sessions via videos/video calls; Professional dog training; Foster mentors | Innovative Foster Care |
| Rescue Pit, Inc. | NY | Temporary boarding for victims of domestic violence | Innovative Foster Care |
| Ruff Start Rescue | MN | Marketing animals to customer base that isn’t internet-savvy | Removing Barriers to Adoption (Adoption Ambassadors, Adopters Welcome, Open Adoptions, etc.) |
| Sacramento SPCA | CA | Expand foster care base to include animals with behavioral challenges | Innovative Foster Care |
| San Antonio Pets Alive | TX | “Sleepover Foster” program – short term housing for animals selected from the city shelter | Innovative Foster Care |
| San Francisco SPCA | CA | Form a short-term foster program for ringworm kittens | Innovative Foster Care |
| Santa Paula Animal Rescue Center | CA | Pilot project to “rebrand” their dogs as “Mixed Breed”; Create marketing material in Spanish; Implement Adoption Ambassadors for kittens. | Removing Barriers to Adoption (Adoption Ambassadors, Adopters Welcome, Open Adoptions, etc.) |
| Save A Rescue, Inc. | CA | Send trainers to foster homes, PetSmart and Senior Centers to educate and recruit fosters | Innovative Foster Care |
| Shores of the Mitten Animal Rescue and Transport | MI | “Catify” their foster homes | Innovative Foster Care |
| Silicon Valley Animal Control Authority | CA | “The Happy Meower Program” to help socialize “hissy, spitty” kittens | Removing Barriers to Adoption (Adoption Ambassadors, Adopters Welcome, Open Adoptions, etc.) |
| SPCA of Anne Arundel County | MD | Create an online Foster Portal | Innovative Foster Care |
| Springfield Humane Society | VT | Expand their foster program to include high school students, the elderly and weekend fosters | Innovative Foster Care |
| St. Francis Society, Inc. | FL | Funding for KittyCon adoption and education event | Removing Barriers to Adoption (Adoption Ambassadors, Adopters Welcome, Open Adoptions, etc.) |
| St. Mary’s Animal Welfare League | MD | Foster mentor program | Innovative Foster Care |
| Surfcat Cafe & Adoptions | CA | Implement a team of foster caregivers for special-needs cats | Innovative Foster Care |
| TANKS, Inc. | FL | Begin a foster-to-adopt program for special needs cats | Innovative Foster Care |
| The City of Madison Animal Control | Ga | Expand foster program to include cats/kittens | Innovative Foster Care |
| The Louisiana SPCA | LA | Adoption Ambassador program for the cats in their care | Innovative Foster Care |
| The Meow Mission Inc. | IN | Purchase supplies, flyers and yard signs soliciting barn homes | Removing Barriers to Adoption (Adoption Ambassadors, Adopters Welcome, Open Adoptions, etc.) |
| The National Kitten Coalition | VA | Provide consultations with Foster Program Coordinators at rescues/shelters around the country | Innovative Foster Care |
| The Society for the Improvement of Conditions for Stray Animals | OH | Foster program for adult cats and dogs including short-term fosters and foster leads | Innovative Foster Care |
| Topeka Spay Neuter Project | KS | Turning kitten surrender-ers into kitten fosters homes | Innovative Foster Care |
| Town Cats of Morgan Hill | CA | Senior program – pay for lifetime vet care, provide food and help with vet transports | Innovative Foster Care |
| Town Cats of Morgan Hill | CA | New signage; Create a “Meet and Greet” space for adopters | Removing Barriers to Adoption (Adoption Ambassadors, Adopters Welcome, Open Adoptions, etc.) |
| Tri City Animal Sanctuary | TX | Provide “Adopt Me” vests for the dogs | Removing Barriers to Adoption (Adoption Ambassadors, Adopters Welcome, Open Adoptions, etc.) |
| University of Wisconsin-Madison | WI | Temporary boarding for pets whose families are in transition | Innovative Foster Care |
| Upper Peninsula Animal Welfare Shelter | MI | Program to waive the adoption fees of 25 senior dogs and 25 senior cats | Removing Barriers to Adoption (Adoption Ambassadors, Adopters Welcome, Open Adoptions, etc.) |
| Utah Valley Animal Rescue | UT | Cover adult cat adoption fees and reduce the price of kitten adoption fees | Removing Barriers to Adoption (Adoption Ambassadors, Adopters Welcome, Open Adoptions, etc.) |
| Valley Oak SPCA | CA | Travel to area shelters, pull animals for the day and take them to offsite adoption events | Removing Barriers to Adoption (Adoption Ambassadors, Adopters Welcome, Open Adoptions, etc.) |
| Vancouver Humane Society & SPCA | WA | Create “Puppy Foster Kits” for puppy fosters and pregnant or nursing dogs | Innovative Foster Care |
| Volunteers for Animals | NY | Dog foster program at local Prison | Innovative Foster Care |
| Wadena County Humane Society | MN | Start a Free Adoption Barn Cat program (adoption fees waived for barn cats) | Removing Barriers to Adoption (Adoption Ambassadors, Adopters Welcome, Open Adoptions, etc.) |
| Wagging Dog Rescue | CA | Taking sheltered dogs into temporary 2-3 week foster care | Innovative Foster Care |
| Wags and Walks | CA | Develop a foster training program for large dogs | Innovative Foster Care |
| Wigglin’ Home Boxer Rescue | WA | Connect fosters with local dog trainers | Innovative Foster Care |
| Wild Cat Foundation | LA | Provide treatment to heartworm positive dogs | Removing Barriers to Adoption (Adoption Ambassadors, Adopters Welcome, Open Adoptions, etc.) |
| Willamette Humane Society | OR | Transition to a more conversational and paperless adoption process | Removing Barriers to Adoption (Adoption Ambassadors, Adopters Welcome, Open Adoptions, etc.) |
| Young-Williams Animal Center | TN | Implementing an Adoption Sleepover program (overnight fostering) | Removing Barriers to Adoption (Adoption Ambassadors, Adopters Welcome, Open Adoptions, etc.) |