Hi fellow animal-lover friends,
2025 was a wild ride for all of us, but our tiny (yet mighty) animal shelter and spay/neuter clinic was able to rise to the occasion in many ways.
Despite having our shelter team work in very difficult surroundings, including working from portable buildings (including using a port-a-potty in the Pacific Northwest for more than a year(!!!), caring for our dogs and cats in majorly modified spaces while our new shelter building is being completed, we were able to meet whatever challenges met us with grace. In the last several years, we raised over $4.4 million through grassroots efforts and are extremely proud of what that means for our community and the services we will be able to provide for many years to come.
When we learned about the impending SNAP benefit cuts, we acted fast: we launched a countywide pet food and supply distribution system. With the help of our amazing community, we stocked our local food bank warehouse with essentials - food, litter, supplies, toys, and treats - so pantries across the county could help families care for their pets. At the same time, we created mini pet pantries in local pet-related businesses for anyone who might not visit a food bank but still needs support. Each mini pantry includes a microchip scanner for lost pets and basic pet care resources.
It's one of the accomplishments we're most proud of, making sure pets stay fed, cared for, and with the people who love them. I'm so glad to be part of such a kind and caring community, both locally, and within Maddie's Fund.
🫶Keep up the good work, everyone. Not everyone is made for this work and the animals and people you serve are lucky to have you on their side!
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Jessica Barber
Social Impact Specialist
Homeward Bound Pets Humane Society
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Original Message:
Sent: 12-01-2025 09:51 AM
From: Maddie's Pet Forum Admin
Subject: December 2025 + January 2026 Giveaway: What's a win you're celebrating from this past year?
As we wrap up 2025 and look ahead to a new year, it's a natural moment to pause and reflect on the progress we've made, both the milestones we planned for and the unexpected victories that showed up along the way.
Back at the beginning of January 2025, many of you shared your goals for the year in our 2025 Goals Giveaway thread. Community members shared goals aimed at growing your foster network, strengthening community partnerships, expanding pet support services, improving shelter medicine protocols, or building a healthier team culture.
Now, almost twelve months later, we'd love to hear:
What's one win (big or small) you're proud of from this past year?
Your win could be:
• Something you achieved from your January goals
• A goal that evolved into something better
• A new partnership, improved process, or reduced barrier
• A small shift that made a big difference
• A story of a pet or family you'll never forget
Whether you hit your goals, adapted them, or discovered new priorities along the way, your progress is worth celebrating. These reflections help all of us learn, grow, and recognize the impact this community makes every day.
Share your win on this thread in December 2025 or January 2026 and you'll be entered in a giveaway to receive $1,000 in unrestricted funds for your organization to use in whatever way will make the biggest difference.
We're so glad you're part of this community, and we can't wait to celebrate your 2025 wins, no matter how big, small, or unexpected they turned out to be. Here's to ending the year on a high note and carrying that energy into 2026!
#Maddie'sFund30Years
#FundraisingandDevelopment
#OrganizationalManagement
#PeopleManagement(includingVolunteerIntegration)
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Maddie's Pet Forum Admin
Maddie's Fund
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