What is your shelter’s biggest resource? If you didn’t say “our community,” then let’s talk. On our next Maddie’s® Monthly Foster Connection presentation on June 4, Williamson County Regional Animal Shelter’s Animal Services Director, Misty Valenta, will explore how your community can transform the way you look at your intake counter. Building a community-based team… Learn More

Resource guarding is a common behavior seen in dogs entering rescue and shelter environments, often arising from stress, uncertainty and past experiences around scarce or valuable resources. “Sharing Isn’t Easy: Resource Guarding in Rescue and Shelter Dogs” presentation explores the current research on resource guarding and how it applies to real-world rescue settings. Join us… Learn More

Happy Monday. Below is a brief roundup of resources added over the past week. The April Weekly Community Conversations grant giveaway winners are… Earlier this week, Maddie’s Fund® gave four organizations at random a $2,500 grant for attending the April Weekly Community Conversations for a total of $10,000 in grants. Join us in congratulating the… Learn More

Earlier this week, Maddie’s Fund® gave four organizations at random a $2,500 grant for attending the April Weekly Community Conversations for a total of $10,000 in grants. Join us in congratulating the four people who won a grant for their organization: Debra DeVries, K9 Battle Buddies (Hinesville, GA) Carol Fleming, Upper Valley Humane Society (Enfield,… Learn More

The webcast recording from “Foster Spotlight: Lessons from Award-Winning Programs” is now available now on Maddie’s® University. This webcast focuses on winning strategies from the 2025 Foster 50 Challenge. Through a series of short videos and Q&A, you’ll learn how grant funding helped spark new ideas, expanded foster programs and created measurable change for communities… Learn More

Happy Monday. Below is a brief roundup of resources added over the past week. Does your animal organization need more foster caregivers? These 6 questions can help Having trouble finding foster caregivers? These six questions can help guide you toward a successful strategy.  1. Is it easy to become a foster caregiver at your rescue… Learn More

This post originally ran in 2023.  Having trouble finding foster caregivers? These six questions can help guide you toward a successful strategy.  1. Is it easy to become a foster caregiver at your rescue organization? Research shows that the organizations with the biggest foster programs have quick and easy onboarding processes. Organizations that require things like… Learn More

Meeting both the physical and psychological needs of dogs living in animal shelters is a challenging proposition. Negative environmental inputs, such as excessive noise, restrictive kenneling, and social isolation, contribute to compromised canine welfare. Human-animal interaction, such as a temporary stay in a caregiver’s home, has been shown to reduce dogs’ cortisol levels and increase… Learn More

Happy Monday. Below is a brief roundup of resources added over the past week. Get this free activity book for kids, #ThanksToMaddie! Summer is just around the corner and we have just what you need to keep the kids entertained (for a little while anyways). Maddie’s® Tail Wag activity book is available for two different… Learn More

Summer is just around the corner and we have just what you need to keep the kids entertained (for a little while anyways). Maddie’s® Tail Wag activity book is available for two different age groups and is designed to spark empathy, creativity and a love for animals. Children six and under will find these fun… Learn More