An online survey of animal welfare organizations in the United States was done to learn about programs run by shelters and rescue organizations to explore the factors they believe contribute to canine relinquishment and help dog owners keep their pets.  There were 111 responses included in the analysis of the survey.  On Thursday, September 12,… Learn More

Twenty-three national animal welfare organizations came together for the 2024 Open Arms Challenge. The goal of the Challenge was to encourage animal shelters, rescue organizations and organizations working to keep people and pets together to pilot new approaches that increase inclusivity for new adopters and volunteers and provide a welcoming environment for all community members.… Learn More

This post originally ran in 2022 during the Return to Home Challenge. The ideas are still very helpful in returning pets home. Looking to get more lost pets back home with their families? Two ideas that you can start using right now were shared during the 2022 Return to Home Challenge Huddle with Bobby Mann,… Learn More

Join us on Thursday, August 15, 2024 at 12PM PT / 3PM ET for the webcast “Protecting Kittens from Feline Panleukopenia: Essential Strategies for Animal Shelters and Rescues.” Animal shelter and rescue organizations across the country often struggle to protect cats and in particular kittens from the infectious diseases that tend to rise as kitten… Learn More

Research in U.S. shelters shows that short-term foster programs like field trips and overnights are powerful tools for increasing dogs’ chances of adoption. Dogs who go on a field trip are five times more likely to be adopted than those who don’t, while those who go on a sleepover are an astounding 14 times more… Learn More

Please note: The application period for this opportunity has closed.  If you are looking to join a new team and work within a dynamic environment, this is your opportunity. Maddie’s Fund® is looking to hire an experienced Senior Education Specialist who will become part of the Education Team within the Foundation. If you are interested in… Learn More

How often should your organization be talking about foster if you want to grow your program? The answer might surprise you. “Talk about your foster program all the time,” says Maddie’s Fund® Senior Community Solutions Specialist Kelly Duer. “Informal research on the organizations with the largest foster programs found that they are talking about foster on… Learn More

The blog was originally published in 2021.  The language we use is important because it is the lens through which potential adopters see the pets in our care. In an effort to keep communications brief, we may use as few words as possible when describing pets, but everything these subtle changes communicate to the wider world may not be obvious to us.… Learn More

This post originally ran in 2021. We are republishing today because we think it’s as applicable as ever!  Traditionally in many shelters, only select pets have been eligible for foster care. Those sent to foster homes have typically been neonates and pets with medical needs. Due to lack of time and the seasonal nature of… Learn More

Celebrate National Animal Control Officer Appreciation Week this April 14-20, 2024! It’s a week when communities are encouraged to learn about what the job of animal control really entails and to be grateful for those who do them. We thought it fitting to highlight the excellent Maddie’s® University course authored by National Animal Care &… Learn More