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December 2025 + January 2026 Giveaway: What's a win you're celebrating from this past year?

  • 1.  December 2025 + January 2026 Giveaway: What's a win you're celebrating from this past year?

    Posted 23 days ago

    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)

    ------------------------------
    Maddie's Pet Forum Admin
    Maddie's Fund
    ------------------------------


  • 2.  RE: December 2025 + January 2026 Giveaway: What's a win you're celebrating from this past year?

    Posted 23 days ago

    What a great question. This past year has been a rollercoaster ride for us. In the last quarter of 2024 our sanctuary was hit hard by three hurricanes, Milton, Debby and Helene. We were still repairing from Ian two years prior. Our main goal in January was to make the property 100% usable again and to allow for educational tours. 2025 started out as one of those one step forward two steps back situations. With 80% of our perimeter fence down, unusable pastures, roof leaks in our small animal and feed buildings, coupled with a rise in requests for help and the medical needs of some of our older residents we were starting to feel like thinks would never turn around. To top it off we had to put our Critter Connection animal outreach education program on hold for a few months while we spent time on repairs.  A few months ago we saw the light at the end of the tunnel when we were awarded a grant to cover the cost of replacing/installing the perimeter fence, replacing the secondary safety fences and topping off our pathway. We have been trying for grants all year for this purpose with no luck. We are so excited because this will allow us to open up again for private tours and most importantly give the horses, cow, donkey and goats more space again. A huge weight has been lifted with this grant. On the small win side of things we have started attending events again with our animal outreach bus. We are only visiting one school, business or event each month for now but word is spreading and we are getting a lot of requests. 



    ------------------------------
    Lisa Burn
    Co-founder/VP
    Farmhouse Animal & Nature Sanctuary
    Myakka City, FL
    https://farmhousesanctuary.org
    ------------------------------



  • 3.  RE: December 2025 + January 2026 Giveaway: What's a win you're celebrating from this past year?

    Posted 13 days ago

    Hi Lisa - What a comeback.  So glad things are slowly getting better.  Have you tried reaching out to fence companies and asking them to donate a portion of a replacement fence?  Or other companies/contractors and asking them to donate a small portion of what you need.  If you tell them their donation is tax deductible you can get several entities to come together as a group to help make repairs.   

    At Just Giants, we were recently selected to have our rescue featured on a news segement.  They asked us for information on the rescue, stats, and our fundraising efforts so they can help is continue to thrive into 2026.  Maybe you could get your rescue on tv like that as well  -  if you haven't already.  

    Good luck rebuilding!!!

    ------------------------------
    Nancy Kaniewski
    Donation Coordinator
    Just Giants Rescue, Inc.
    IL
    ------------------------------



  • 4.  RE: December 2025 + January 2026 Giveaway: What's a win you're celebrating from this past year?

    Posted 23 days ago

    Birdie crunched the numbers (very seriously, with her paws)…

    and she discovered that helping 252 community cats last year prevented 1,596 surprise kittens from popping into the world. 😹📉 💞🐾

    That's what I'm most proud of this year.



    ------------------------------
    Deana Seigler
    President
    Friends of Rescue Animals
    Rowlett TX
    ------------------------------



  • 5.  RE: December 2025 + January 2026 Giveaway: What's a win you're celebrating from this past year?

    Posted 6 days ago

    Hey neighbor, I'm in Rockwall, TX! Preventing that many surprise kittens is a huge win!!



    ------------------------------
    Monica Portillo
    Capture Volunteer
    Duck Team 6
    TX
    ------------------------------



  • 6.  RE: December 2025 + January 2026 Giveaway: What's a win you're celebrating from this past year?

    Posted 23 days ago

    A small shift that made. big difference
    - We are able to open up boarding which will help us continue our rescue mission and further our community programs! 



    ------------------------------
    Kallie Laity
    Owner
    Kitty Kisses Rescue of Reno
    NV
    ------------------------------



  • 7.  RE: December 2025 + January 2026 Giveaway: What's a win you're celebrating from this past year?

    Posted 23 days ago

    I think one of the biggest things we have done is get a lot of our long time residents adopted. These animals kept getting overlooked, but as a team we worked hard to find the right people for each animal to help them find their forever homes. We are also the only rescue in our city to deal with cruelty cases and even though we had a lot more this year which is heartbreaking, we were able to collect a lot of evidence from each animal case to give all these animals a voice and many went on to find safe, forever homes.



    ------------------------------
    Stefanie Schmidt
    Animal Welfare Specialist
    Hearts Alive Village
    NV
    ------------------------------



  • 8.  RE: December 2025 + January 2026 Giveaway: What's a win you're celebrating from this past year?

    Posted 13 days ago

    Hi Stefanie - The cruelty cases are the worst.  I can't imagine hurting an animal.  Unfortunately not every community puts a priority in this area.  We had one of our dogs adopted that ended in charges against the adopter.  It just breaks my heart.  Thank you for the work you do with these cases.



    ------------------------------
    Nancy Kaniewski
    Donation Coordinator
    Just Giants Rescue, Inc.
    ------------------------------



  • 9.  RE: December 2025 + January 2026 Giveaway: What's a win you're celebrating from this past year?

    Posted 23 days ago

    On the personal side, I was able to install kennel mounted water bowls for all of our cat kennels this summer. Previously our bowl options were either a plethora of different sized bowls that sit on the base towel and constantly were knocked over or food or litter was constantly getting knocked into it, or we had wire brackets you could set certain bowls into but when there wasn't one of those bowls available (or a particularly frustrated cat was in the kennel) cats were getting stuck in the brackets. The new bowls cost over $8000 to get enough for all of our stray and isolation kennels and took me months to split it up on my card and get them installed. But now every cat has better access to clean drinking water that can't get knocked over.

    I also recently got some small 30in curtains, tension rods, and some stick on curtain rod hooks, and now we have the option to add additional visual barriers in our adoption space for some of our more fearful kitties. It has really helped them be more confident in exploring and utilizing the whole space available to them and coming out of their shell.

    As a whole shelter, one of our biggest wins this year was opening our animal medical department back up, allowing us to soon open up our low cost spay and neuter center again. About 2 and a half years ago a pipe burst and our entire medical department was flooded and the foundation ruined. Along with some staffing shortages we had to officially close down our low cost spay and neuter clinic so that we could continue to operate and prefer surgeries on the animals coming into the shelter, much the dismay of the public who many thought, despite our very clear communication about the situation, that we were just lazy and didn't want to provide for the community. After years of discussions with insurance, builders, our medical team, and months of construction, our medical department is officially back up and running. We haven't reopened our spay and neuter clinic back up quite yet but we hopefully will be soon for a few months and then that building is also going to be getting renovated if everything goes to plan!



    ------------------------------
    Laurel Wilton
    Feline Welfare Supervisor
    Nebraska Humane Society
    ------------------------------



  • 10.  RE: December 2025 + January 2026 Giveaway: What's a win you're celebrating from this past year?

    Posted 23 days ago

    I think for PAWS one of the biggest successes of the year was adopting out Taylor, our longest resident of nearly 2 years to her forever home. It was even in the news! Bing Videos Dog named after Taylor Swift gets adopted after almost 2 years – NBC 7 San Diego



    ------------------------------
    Mali Hinesley
    Fund Development
    PAWS of Coronado
    Coronado CA
    ------------------------------



  • 11.  RE: December 2025 + January 2026 Giveaway: What's a win you're celebrating from this past year?

    Posted 23 days ago

    I think our biggest win at "LAB" (Ludar Animal Behavior) is holding fast to our anti/de-colonial values during a time of immense fascism taking over the country. We are continuing to stay open as an organization and community movement with all odds stacked against us. Our free pantry has been restocked regularly. We have been trying to get funding for almost 5 years now to little success but we at least got one small Maddie's Fund grant to keep us open. 



    ------------------------------
    Melinda Trueblood-Stimpson
    Founder; scientist
    Ludar Animal Behavior
    OH
    ------------------------------



  • 12.  RE: December 2025 + January 2026 Giveaway: What's a win you're celebrating from this past year?

    Posted 22 days ago

    I had a lot of big wins this year! Started my financial aid nonprofit last November to help pets with chronic illnesses, so this year - went through an entire year of operations, received our first foundation grants, had successful fundraising events, and learned more how we can better help pets and their people next year. Here's to 2026!



    ------------------------------
    Sarah Fuqua
    Director
    The Bobo Fund
    ------------------------------



  • 13.  RE: December 2025 + January 2026 Giveaway: What's a win you're celebrating from this past year?

    Posted 21 days ago

    Sarah, wow, what is your secret? that is amazing! We are starting our third year. We support 4 no kill shelters and the county shelter. First year we were able to give away $11,500 and this past Oct we gave away, $18,500. Hoping to beat that in our 3rd year.



    ------------------------------
    Carol Bridges
    President
    Winding River Paws for a Cause
    NC
    ------------------------------



  • 14.  RE: December 2025 + January 2026 Giveaway: What's a win you're celebrating from this past year?

    Posted 12 days ago

    Sarah  -  Starting your non-profit is awesome.  We've rescued a few dogs that needed a lot of medical attention and there were days where all the coordinators got together to discuss next steps for these pups.  Funding is a major concern for all AWOs and I'm so glad you found a way to help pets in need.  Best wishes in 2026.



    ------------------------------
    Nancy Kaniewski
    Donation Coordinator
    Just Giants Rescue, Inc.
    ------------------------------



  • 15.  RE: December 2025 + January 2026 Giveaway: What's a win you're celebrating from this past year?

    Posted 22 days ago

    We gave sanctuary to a 'special needs' dog named Oreo on Aril 20th, Easter Sunday. She had been diagnoised as being paralysed in her rear legs.  After working withher using our therapeutic nutrtion and holistuc care, she has REGAINED feeling in both of her rear legs. We expect to get her walking again.

    Oreo, our special needs dog.

    Another nutritional miracle.



    ------------------------------
    Leslie Moran
    Executive Director
    Emerald Ark
    NV
    ------------------------------



  • 16.  RE: December 2025 + January 2026 Giveaway: What's a win you're celebrating from this past year?

    Posted 12 days ago

    Leslie - Your story made me cry a little.  I'm so glad you didn't give up on Oreo.  All dogs deserve a chance for recovery.



    ------------------------------
    Nancy Kaniewski
    Donation Coordinator
    Just Giants Rescue, Inc.
    ------------------------------



  • 17.  RE: December 2025 + January 2026 Giveaway: What's a win you're celebrating from this past year?

    Posted 22 days ago
      |   view attached

    Thank you for this question that encourages us to reflect and take pride in what we do!

    I'm really proud of how this year, we pivoted our grant focus from primarily supporting rescues to more of a 50/50 split between supporting rescues AND advocacy and aid organizations. We are still very devoted to helping save shelter pitties from euthanasia, but this year we also heavily supported the equally important work of keeping owned pets with their families and keeping them healthy. It's crucial to address the root causes of the shelter crisis as well as the symptoms. I'm proud to say we helped sponsor over 150 low cost or free spay/neuter surgeries through our partners Emancipet, My Pit Bull Is Family, A Purposeful Rescue, The Pittie Project, and Positive Tails. We also helped Pet Unity Project keep pets with their families and provide resources like microchips to the community in Prince George's County, MD, where they just succeeded in repealing a 30-year pit bull ban!

    In addition to funding these efforts, I got to attend several events hands on and check families in, put cones on dogs, and do whatever I could to help on the ground. As a grantmaking organization, the moments we get to see our impact IRL and meet amazing people and pets is the absolute best.

    Below is Titan, my gentle giant buddy from our clinic with My Pit Bull Is Family at Access Vet Care in MN!



    ------------------------------
    Katy Herman
    President
    The Hansel Foundation
    IL
    ------------------------------



  • 18.  RE: December 2025 + January 2026 Giveaway: What's a win you're celebrating from this past year?

    Posted 12 days ago

    OMG - What a handsome boy.  I've never owned a Pittie, but my cousin will only have Pitts.  They are beautiful dogs.  

    Katie - Thank you for the work you do for the advocacy and aid organizations.  Without them, animal rescues and shelters wouldn't be able to thrive.



    ------------------------------
    Nancy Kaniewski
    Donation Coordinator
    Just Giants Rescue, Inc.
    ------------------------------



  • 19.  RE: December 2025 + January 2026 Giveaway: What's a win you're celebrating from this past year?

    Posted 22 days ago

    2025 was a big year for our young organization! We celebrated our first adoption in January 2025. We also have been more active in events and developing our own fundraisers.  This is an essential launch year for us and we are excited for the next chapter of growth years. We look forward to celebrating everyone else's wins!



    ------------------------------
    Melissa Martie
    Founder & Director
    Rescue330
    Akron, Ohio
    ------------------------------



  • 20.  RE: December 2025 + January 2026 Giveaway: What's a win you're celebrating from this past year?

    Posted 21 days ago

    Our Home for the Holidays campaign is in full swing.  Our big win this year: First time since we started 6 years ago, a ferret was the first pet adopted!  Our campaign is for Colorado homeless pets 3 years or older or those with special needs, working with rescue and shelters across Colorado.  From Thanksgiving to Christmas, our goal is 200 pets into loving homes.   The real win is when we get over 200 this year!



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    Davyd Smith
    No Kill Colorado
    ------------------------------



  • 21.  RE: December 2025 + January 2026 Giveaway: What's a win you're celebrating from this past year?

    Posted 21 days ago

    This year we have been excited to have received the funding to renovate our kennels making them even better then before. We were also able to add a second play yard and improve the previous one. We received a donation of some amazing toys for our dogs that absolutely love and enjoy them. The best part #thankstomaddie we were able to afford more vetting and being able to give more care that is needed. To end the year at our last adoption event we had the majority of our dogs adopted into their forever homes! This has been a wonderful year and hopefully 2026 we are able to do even more!



    ------------------------------
    Pamela Gilcrease
    Advocate/Volunteer
    Grant Parish Animal Care and Control
    LA
    ------------------------------



  • 22.  RE: December 2025 + January 2026 Giveaway: What's a win you're celebrating from this past year?

    Posted 21 days ago

    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!



    ------------------------------
    Jessica Barber
    Social Impact Specialist
    Homeward Bound Pets Humane Society
    OR
    ------------------------------



  • 23.  RE: December 2025 + January 2026 Giveaway: What's a win you're celebrating from this past year?

    Posted 12 days ago

    Jessica - You are right, not everyone is made for animal rescue work.  We have taken in some sever cases and when I see these dogs and hear what they survived, it just tears me apart.  It is unbelieveable what people do to animals.  There's days I want to quit because my heart can't handle the disappointmetn and fear in a dogs eyes, but I stay strong because they need us...all of us doing the hard work to keep them safe.  Thank you for all you do for your community.



    ------------------------------
    Nancy Kaniewski
    Donation Coordinator
    Just Giants Rescue, Inc.
    ------------------------------



  • 24.  RE: December 2025 + January 2026 Giveaway: What's a win you're celebrating from this past year?

    Posted 21 days ago

    Our kennel attendant took over our Volunteer Program a little under a year ago, and to date has grown our regular volunteer base from about 5 to 30! We have even more volunteers on record, but many come during specific times of the year or as their schedule allows. She has also developed and grown our Enrichment Program, improving the daily life of animals in our shelter. 

    Also, I accepted an Instructor position at our local community college for the Veterinary Assistant Program. Not only do I get to teach and train the next wave of assistants, they also complete their clinical hours at our shelter, which helps them learn tasks, but also helps reduce workload on staff!



    ------------------------------
    Tabitha Briggs
    Shelter Manager
    Person County Animal Services
    NC
    ------------------------------



  • 25.  RE: December 2025 + January 2026 Giveaway: What's a win you're celebrating from this past year?

    Posted 21 days ago

    Our rescue did a re-brand this year. We are under a new name, and I am the new Executive Director. I am incredibly proud of the progress we've made in the three short months since our re-brand, but one thing I am most excited about is our new community program! We recently repaired a relationship with a local spay and neuter clinic, and in January we are doing our first low-cost S/N transport clinic! I am beyond excited to help the community with something that can often be a financial hurdle for pet owners--not to mention that this is a small step that works towards the local overpopulation problem within out cat community. 



    ------------------------------
    Olivia Wertz
    Executive Director
    Catty Corner
    PA
    ------------------------------



  • 26.  RE: December 2025 + January 2026 Giveaway: What's a win you're celebrating from this past year?

    Posted 21 days ago

    Our foundation opened our emergency grant programs in June of this year and so far we have awarded $3,900 to economically disadvantaged families.  We have prevented five cases from economic euthanasia, assisted with four emergency surgeries, covered the costs for seven cases needing critical diagnostics and supported ten families with maintaining economic mobility with estimates ranging from $2,000 - $5,000. It is a big win overall for all we have accomplished in the past 7 months of having 501c3 status and now operating in seven states, but the biggest win for this year would be the conversations with grateful owners. No feeling compares to knowing you helped an animal and their family breathe easier. Veterinary medicine is a very hard field to work in, especially emergency/specialty, but it truly is those moments that make it all worth it. The veterinary professionals we've had the pleasure of working with have shown an immense of gratitude for our resources as well and have greatly helped expand our mission! We look forward to 2026. 



    ------------------------------
    Maria Putnam
    Founder/CEO
    All About the Animals Foundation
    ------------------------------



  • 27.  RE: December 2025 + January 2026 Giveaway: What's a win you're celebrating from this past year?

    Posted 21 days ago

    I'm so glad this is being asked - 10 Lives has had a tough year with some really tough and weird medical cases - including 3 (possibly 4) cases of congenital rickets in a litter of kittens and 2! cases of Atresia Ani. It can be easy to feel bogged down and sad in the face of these tough cases so our wins include:

    • Helping over 600 cats and get fixed this year. As a little organization, this is NO JOKE!
    • Finding forever homes for over 100 cats!
    • Starting some incredible new partnerships - including recruiting a veterinarian for our board, meeting an incredible grant making org through this forum, and partnering with some awesome companies like Pacagen and 10th Life Window screens. 
    • Growing our behind the scenes volunteers and recruiting new folks into this work. When we first started it was many "vets" who love the work but getting new excited fresh faces has been wonderful. 


    ------------------------------
    Farrah Goff
    President
    10 Lives Rescue NY Inc
    NY
    ------------------------------



  • 28.  RE: December 2025 + January 2026 Giveaway: What's a win you're celebrating from this past year?

    Posted 20 days ago

    This year, our work in a small Texas coastal town reminded us that progress happens in time - not all at once. We committed to realistic, meaningful goals, focusing heavily on expanding spay and neuter access for pets in our underserved community. Even when confronted by heartbreaking cases of neglect and cruelty, we stayed grounded in the belief that every small step forward creates lasting change.

    One of our most unforgettable moments was reuniting a dog with his grieving owner. Her husband had passed away earlier in the year, and the dog - his beloved companion - had been stolen from her backyard. After months of searching, the dog was placed in foster care with our organization, we were able to locate the owner. We were able to bring her safely back home.  Witnessing that reunion reminded us why we do this work: reunifying a family, restoring hope, and reminds of us of why we continue to help. Every success proved that our work matters. And every animal we helped reaffirmed our commitment to keep moving forward. 



    ------------------------------
    Jessica Wade
    Director
    Bay Area Pawsitive Support
    TX
    ------------------------------



  • 29.  RE: December 2025 + January 2026 Giveaway: What's a win you're celebrating from this past year?

    Posted 20 days ago

    Such a great question! We've been so busy this year making progress in several areas that I haven't been able to participate with Maddie's as much as I'd like to. I hope to get back to it in 2026!

    Our biggest wins:

    1. Board of Directors restructuring - We had several ineffective and difficult Board members that were preventing us from moving forward in many areas and made an unwelcome environment when trying to attract new Board members.  We now have an active, talented and results-driven Board and hope to add a few more members in 2026.
    2. Low-Cost Community Dental Program - We have developed a low-cost dental program targeting financially challenged owners of cats and small dogs. The cost of living in the Denver, CO  area is high and routine extractions are unaffordable for many households. We hope our program allows pet owners to get treatment faster, delaying suffering and reducing future complications. 
    3. Grants - Due to the ineffective Board of the past and a small staff, this was an overlooked area for a few years. We now have a renewed focused on researching and applying for grants. We hope the extra funding we receive can offset expenses that have risen due to the high cost of living and local economy. 


    ------------------------------
    Jenna Ricci
    Volunteer
    Rocky Mountain Feline Rescue
    CO
    ------------------------------



  • 30.  RE: December 2025 + January 2026 Giveaway: What's a win you're celebrating from this past year?

    Posted 19 days ago

    Our win this year is reaching and maintaining a 90% or higher live-release rate since this summer. We struggled a lot this summer, with an overwhelming number of dogs and cats coming into the shelter every day. Things didn't slow down for us until October. We have finally started getting more adoptions, return-to-owners, and TNR cats released. Plus, we have a new rescue coordinator who is helping us to send around 15 dogs a month to rescues up North!



    ------------------------------
    Lauren Rider
    Grant Coordinator
    Care Humane Society
    AL
    ------------------------------



  • 31.  RE: December 2025 + January 2026 Giveaway: What's a win you're celebrating from this past year?

    Posted 19 days ago

    A WIN for us in 2025, I would have to say was being a part of the FOSTER 50 and focusing on our foster program. Over the week of Thanksgiving, we decided to have our floors re done. In order to do that, all of the animals needed to be out of the building. Our newly appointed Foster Coordinator was able to place EIGHTEEN animals into foster homes for the week. Several of them turned into adoptions.....along with our longest resident of 469 days! That was a BIG WIN!



    ------------------------------
    Stacy Pyrek
    President t
    Project hope animal rescue
    IL
    ------------------------------



  • 32.  RE: December 2025 + January 2026 Giveaway: What's a win you're celebrating from this past year?

    Posted 18 days ago

    What is the foster 50?



    ------------------------------
    Lisa Kitchens
    Pet Central Helps!
    ------------------------------



  • 33.  RE: December 2025 + January 2026 Giveaway: What's a win you're celebrating from this past year?

    Posted 18 days ago

    In the first month of the year we had two devastating floods (thankfully neither of which reached our animals) that wiped our our humane education room, public restrooms, our back dog kennel hallway and ceiling, as well as the entirety of our administrative offices. Even with strong financial and emotional support from our community, it took over 6 months to complete all renovations and get the shelter back to sort-of working order.  I'm happy to report that we had a successful summer filled with summer camps, birthday parties, free microchipping clinics, and many, many adoptions. We even had our longest resident, a dog named Skeever, find his forever home after being here for nearly 8 months. 
    We maintained our live release rate at 97% or above even without having an on-site veterinarian since just before the January floods. Despite needing to outsource the majority of our procedures (spay and neuter being the most), we are still  managing to keep our costs low as possible and stay strong to find the nearly 1,500 pets that will pass through our doors by the end of this year find their home.

    It's been a crazy year for us buy we're staying strong for our nearly 60th year of operation!



    ------------------------------
    Bailey Evans
    Grant Writer
    Animal Allies Humane Society
    MN
    ------------------------------



  • 34.  RE: December 2025 + January 2026 Giveaway: What's a win you're celebrating from this past year?

    Posted 18 days ago

    The shift that made a big difference for us was getting a veterinarian that is an HQHVSN specialist. She can come to our facility during the day and do 30 spay/neuter surgeries. Due to this positive change, we have also been able to implement public spay/neuter for cats. We'll be adding dogs soon! It feels good to help the community in this way.

    Lisa Kitchens

    Executive Director

    Pet Central Helps!



    ------------------------------
    Lisa Kitchens
    Pet Central Helps!
    ------------------------------



  • 35.  RE: December 2025 + January 2026 Giveaway: What's a win you're celebrating from this past year?

    Posted 10 days ago

    Hi Lisa - It's awesome you can do this for your community.  Where  I live, spay/neuter surgeries cost a fortune  even with a rescue discount.  There are a few spay/neuter clinics, but since we are a foster based rescue, not everyone has access these clinics.  It would be nice if there were one or two of these clinics in each county here.  Our medical fund takes a huge hit every year paying for these surgeries.



    ------------------------------
    Nancy Kaniewski
    Donation Coordinator
    Just Giants Rescue, Inc.
    ------------------------------



  • 36.  RE: December 2025 + January 2026 Giveaway: What's a win you're celebrating from this past year?

    Posted 17 days ago

    We celebrated 10 years with our rescue this year which is huge! Our work will continue strong and we're looking forward to the next 10!



    ------------------------------
    Kendra Swindler
    Grants Lead
    RESCUEDohio
    OH
    ------------------------------



  • 37.  RE: December 2025 + January 2026 Giveaway: What's a win you're celebrating from this past year?

    Posted 16 days ago

    Big Canoe Animal Rescue is celebrating several small wins building to more collaboration and openness to new ideas for expanding the rescue in the near future. We have worked hard to go out into the community and have conversations with local businesses in order to grow partnerships that are supportive of BCAR's success, including moving toward a new shelter building in the next 1-2 years. What we've brought back from these conversations has been better than a bucket of gold! We have been able to bring back direct quotes of support for our volunteers and board members so they can know how much BCAR's work is appreciated and supported in the North Georgia Mountains. We aren't the only game in town, so getting to hear all of the ways BCAR stands out as an organization that does great work is so motivating. 

    BCAR Board members have been open to the reviewing and refining the shelter budget so that we can work to improve the efficient use of funding and eliminate unnecessary waste. This conversation has ultimately brought us to the space of making sure our overall rescue goals are still relevant, abandoning goals that don't support the overall mission and redirecting resources to new goals that support all of our dog and cat fur friends as the number one priority each day. Our fundraising efforts have been good so far and have already built to some strong momentum as we head into the new year. We have also had a lot of good new interest from volunteers in wanting to help with our fundraising efforts - more hands make for light work. 😊

    I continue to be deeply appreciative of everyone here at Maddie's Pet Forum and for all of the ideas and resources everyone so willingly shares. It's awesome to know we are all working from the same place of love for our fur friends no matter where we are across the country. 



    ------------------------------
    Patti Denny
    BCAR Volunteer
    Big Canoe Animal Rescue
    ------------------------------



  • 38.  RE: December 2025 + January 2026 Giveaway: What's a win you're celebrating from this past year?

    Posted 16 days ago

    Hiii 🐶 So heartwarming to see everyone's responses! 

    I'm very proud to share that this year our biggest accomplishement is that we built a wall! It doesn't seem much but it now allows our dogs to run freely and safely. 

    To add a little bit of context, we are Pawsitive Sanctuary, a rescue shelter founded 5 years ago from the ground up by a Punjabi-Canadian animal lover. We are giving free treatement and spaying/neutering to any animal in distress and wevare not taking care of more than 425 dogs daily (and 5 cats!) Where we live the amount of road accidents and cruelty towards street dogs is astonishing and our numbers of rescues is increasing rapidly ( we receive more than 80 calls a day to signal animal in distress..). 

    That's why we decided to expand our shelter and buy the land next door 🥳 We used the money we had left to build a small wall all around it so now our injured and paralyzed dog can run (with the help of their little wheelchairs). 

    Next year's challenge will be to raise funds to continue the expansion of the shelter, but for now we are happy to celebrate this victory! 

    Thank you for taking the time to read us, I wish all the shelter a very pawsitive new year 💙 

    - Manon on behalf of our team and our rescues 🐾

    * Here is Aashi, our superhero shelter manager and our puppies enjoying their new space 


    ------------------------------
    Manon Cazenave
    Volunteer
    Pawsitive Sanctuary
    WI
    ------------------------------



  • 39.  RE: December 2025 + January 2026 Giveaway: What's a win you're celebrating from this past year?

    Posted 16 days ago

     In 2018 we had to shut down our TNR program but we were able to restart it again in 2024. This year we are celebrating a huge achievement, we more than doubled the number of cats TNR'd, from 487 in 2024 to 1,060 in 2025. Excited to see what we can do in 2026.



    ------------------------------
    Brooke Smith
    Animal Health Manager
    Saving Grace Humane Society
    Roseburg
    ------------------------------



  • 40.  RE: December 2025 + January 2026 Giveaway: What's a win you're celebrating from this past year?

    Posted 16 days ago

    Excited to be a new contributor to the forum! We are excited to have finally invested in a formalized CRM system to better track our grants, donations and generous supporters. This is already making a huge difference in the management of our giving campaigns and grant asks. A big win for 2025! 



    ------------------------------
    Sara Scoville-Weaver
    Grants Manager
    Everglades Angels Dog Rescue
    FL
    ------------------------------



  • 41.  RE: December 2025 + January 2026 Giveaway: What's a win you're celebrating from this past year?

    Posted 16 days ago

    Things looked bleak for us 6 months ago:

    • Two beloved community cats had died, one of advanced kidney failure and the other simply didn't wake up after anesthesia
    • A personal tragedy struck one of our 3 board members
    • Tensions had grown among our 3  international partner groups
    • Lack of goal setting (causing some of our tensions with partners ) led to a decline in funding and in the number of spay-neuter surgeries.

      This fall a sense of renewal arose from several changes we had no control over, such as government monetary policy.  That provided a needed boose that led to confronting some of the intra-group tensions, setting new goals without participation of our partner groups, and turning attention to cultivating individual donors with the following recent success:

      • Our first true "campaign", for Giving Tuesday, blew past our original goal AND  our revised goal.  We ended up raising  just shy of $8,000!
      • Our partner vets will spay our 16,000th cat this week
      • We'll still top 2,500 sterilization surgeries this year

      So it was definitely a roller-coaster year for us, but we're entering 2026 with renewed optimism. 

      Wishing everyone here a relaxed and joy-filled holiday season,



      ------------------------------
      April King
      Volunteer and Board Member
      Kotor Kitties
      +1 206 407 5336
      http://www.kotorkitties.org
      ------------------------------



    • 42.  RE: December 2025 + January 2026 Giveaway: What's a win you're celebrating from this past year?

      Posted 16 days ago

      A big win for us was our fundraising! It was an area we focused on a lot this year, and we saw our hard work pay off, which was very encouraging for us! 



      ------------------------------
      Danielle Chassen
      Board Member, Lead Development
      Newborn Kitten Rescue
      AZ
      ------------------------------



    • 43.  RE: December 2025 + January 2026 Giveaway: What's a win you're celebrating from this past year?

      Posted 16 days ago

      Our big win for this year, even with all the setbacks and roadblocks, was completing our 1st large building to house medium and large sized dogs. Our primary building construction volunteer said, "let's get it done", and he did. Not only did he complete the interior, but he also built the solar panel stand and hung the exterior unit of our mini split system. And that's not all. He also finished the interior build-out of the back half of our 2nd large building (additional dog housing)! We ran out of insulation and T-11 to finish the front half, or it would have been completed but a win is a win!



      ------------------------------
      Kathy McCloskey
      President
      Paws, Claws, and Hooves Animal Rescue & Sanctuary
      Snowflake AZ
      ------------------------------



    • 44.  RE: December 2025 + January 2026 Giveaway: What's a win you're celebrating from this past year?

      Posted 15 days ago

      Our win for 2025 was renovating our community cat room. This room holds 20-25 cats on average waiting for their forever homes after they have been fully vetted. This renovation's focus was to give our cats more space to climb, hammocks to sleep in, vibrant colors, and replaced all the cat trees with washable materials to help maintain a clean/sanitary environment.  We did it all in one day with a wonderful team! All our Board Members physically participated to make this happen. 



      ------------------------------
      Vanessa Cruz
      President
      For Pet's Sake Rescue
      MS
      ------------------------------



    • 45.  RE: December 2025 + January 2026 Giveaway: What's a win you're celebrating from this past year?

      Posted 15 days ago

      Looks great!!!!



      ------------------------------
      Brooke Smith
      Animal Health Manager
      Saving Grace Humane Society
      Roseburg
      ------------------------------



    • 46.  RE: December 2025 + January 2026 Giveaway: What's a win you're celebrating from this past year?

      Posted 15 days ago

      We are a small organization with not much funding so looking back at the year I think we had 2 big wins. First was adopting out one of our long term residents. She is finally in a good home after coming to us with such a tragic past. Second is we have really been working on our fundraising and have done better this year than past years. Puts a nice foundation to build on in the future.



      ------------------------------
      Amy Letizio
      Volunteer
      Great Lakes Humane Society
      MI
      ------------------------------



    • 47.  RE: December 2025 + January 2026 Giveaway: What's a win you're celebrating from this past year?

      Posted 15 days ago

      We are very proud to have worked on our training materials including implementing clear SOP's, training binders, and starting on Phase training that will more clearly train each employee so we are all working off of the same information!  While this may seem small, we have gone through several supervisors/managers of late and protocols have gotten cloudy in our shelter.  This has already helped immensely in allowing us to offer consistent information to citizens and our staff.



      ------------------------------
      Cassandra Padilla
      Supervisor, Pet Support
      Dallas Animal Services
      TX
      ------------------------------



    • 48.  RE: December 2025 + January 2026 Giveaway: What's a win you're celebrating from this past year?

      Posted 15 days ago

      I'm not sure if this is what you were looking for but our biggest win is creating Ninja's Woof Haus and getting our 501c3! We are opening doors in January and it's been exhausting, exciting and overwhelming as we get ready to intake our first dogs! We learned so much about the giant undertaking of starting a rescue and about ourselves and who we want to be within the rescue. Our team has been phenomenal! 



      ------------------------------
      Nicole Poell
      President
      Ninja's Woof Haus
      WA
      ------------------------------



    • 49.  RE: December 2025 + January 2026 Giveaway: What's a win you're celebrating from this past year?

      Posted 15 days ago

      This past year I Picked up a kitty that was extremely sick. I named him Mattie he was 16 with severe stomatitis and upper respiratory. Sadly Mattie was too far gone and we had to say goodbye. I have started a hospice program in his name in hopes of no seniors get left behind since a lot of rescues will reject them. This year I have placed 7 senior cats none of whom stayed in our care for more than 72 hours. My seniors are vetted and we wont prolong life if suffering. I am hoping to grow this program and give it a real name in honor of Mattie. Thinking about 7 cats all were rejected by different rescues/shelters in my area now have safe spots at homes makes me incredibly proud. Might not seem like a large number but that was 7 more lives saved! 



      ------------------------------
      Rachel Aune
      Board Member
      Friends of Mobile animal shelter
      AL
      ------------------------------



    • 50.  RE: December 2025 + January 2026 Giveaway: What's a win you're celebrating from this past year?

      Posted 15 days ago

      That is amazing! I think a lot of organizations get caught up in numbers of animals vs the quality of care they're providing. We are in our first year as well and we've funded 10 cases in 8 months. Some may say that's small but we've given out over $4k in grants to families who otherwise would have went into severe debt, surrendered the animal or faced euthanasia for emergencies that could be fixed. 
      Keep leading with your heart - you're filling a gap that decreases suffering and that's what is most important in my opinion. Feel free to reach out as well, I'm happy to see if we can be of resource for you in any way! 



      ------------------------------
      Maria Putnam
      Founder/CEO
      All About the Animals Foundation

      ------------------------------



    • 51.  RE: December 2025 + January 2026 Giveaway: What's a win you're celebrating from this past year?

      Posted 14 days ago

      We primarily rescue stray and in-need dogs from the South and transport them to the Northeast. 

      Our win this year started with tagging two sweet stray dogs. After a short time, the foster said that the two are bonded.  They won't  go



      ------------------------------
      Tammy Fabian
      Executive Director
      Friends For Life Animal Rescue
      ------------------------------



    • 52.  RE: December 2025 + January 2026 Giveaway: What's a win you're celebrating from this past year?

      Posted 14 days ago

      Wow 2025 has been a year. My family and I adopted a rescue/neglected dog back in May from the Belmont County Hoof and Paw rescue. My coworker is a member of this organization and a few months ago explained that the shelter had rescued 8 severely neglected/abused horses and needed volunteers to help feed, walk and show them love. Without hesitation my family and I became volunteers and started to care for the animals (horse's, dogs and cats) at this farm. We have since became members of this organization and donate time and feed as often as we can. Upon doing so we fell in love with two of the horses and have adopted them. They reside at the farm, but we provide all the time and funds we can, when we can. We assist in care of the rest of the animals and help with farm chores after work and school. Our goal for this rescue and from here on out is to devote our time and love to any animal in need and those that are placed in our path and spread the word to others that just because an animal has been rescued does not mean they can't love again.  Julie, the owner/creator of this organization receives donations to help feed the animals but mostly covers the cost on her own. Julie and the committee have voted myself in as secretary for the organization and I would like to contribute to this rescue for as long as possible and with an open heart. I want to make people aware it's not always about money but more love and trust.



      ------------------------------
      Alinza Morris
      LPN
      Belmont County Hoof and Paw
      OH
      ------------------------------



    • 53.  RE: December 2025 + January 2026 Giveaway: What's a win you're celebrating from this past year?

      Posted 14 days ago

      One of our biggest accomplishments here at AniMeals is that we are on track to distribute over 10,000 pounds of pet food to community members in need! All of the food that we distribute is donated by community members and local companies. It is incredible to see the community show up so consistently.

      We are also very proud to say that we have adopted out over 300 cats so far this year. We vet and interview our potential adopters very thoroughly to ensure that our cats are going to safe and happy home, so it is a huge win for us to have found so many loving homes for our little buddies. 



      ------------------------------
      Spencer McNamara
      Development Associate
      AniMeals
      MT
      ------------------------------



    • 54.  RE: December 2025 + January 2026 Giveaway: What's a win you're celebrating from this past year?

      Posted 14 days ago

      We took an idea of providing foster care to pets of people who are seeking in-patient care for medical, mental health or substance abuse, to a reality in less than a year!

      We have developed contracts and forms and contracted with dog walkers and others for support, and have solicited and brought on board a group of foster homes not associated with any rescue of shelter. 

      This will allow people to seek treatment when they often refuse because they have no one to care for their pets. In some cases the animals would be put up for adoption or euthanized but now they can go back to their loving families after their person is healthy. 



      ------------------------------
      Roxane Fritz
      Fostering Wellness Program Coordinator
      San Mateo County
      ------------------------------



    • 55.  RE: December 2025 + January 2026 Giveaway: What's a win you're celebrating from this past year?

      Posted 14 days ago

      Hello! I am new to this page, and I am in the beginning stages of a business plan. My dog Dream, a beautiful pitbull, passed over the rainbow bridge this past October. I have been eager to combine my mental health background (I am a Licensed Clinical Social Worker) with my passion for animal welfare. With Dream's passing, I feel a greater energy to honor her life and continue to invest in the dog rescue community. I would like to simultaneously focus on shelter enrichment and animal-assisted therapy. My idea is to partner with a local rescue (ideally where I adopted Dream) by offering therapy services on-site. I would like to put a container office or a tiny-home on the property and allow my therapy clients the option to have an adoptable dog in their session. The intention is for dogs to have an hour to decompress from the shelter, interact with humans, and be exposed to a "living room" style environment where they develop the skills necessary to relax in a home environment. As for the human benefits, my clients will benefit from the coregulation of having an animal in sessions. Similar to a "dog day out concept," I will showcase each animal in the therapy space to market them to potential adopters. I would also offer walk and talk sessions to allow dogs more opportunities for fresh air. I hope to launch this concept in early 2026!

      Alyssa Fatigato

      Chicago , IL 



      ------------------------------
      Alyssa Fatigato
      Psychotherapist
      Break the Lease Therapy Practice, LLC
      IL
      ------------------------------



    • 56.  RE: December 2025 + January 2026 Giveaway: What's a win you're celebrating from this past year?

      Posted 14 days ago

      I am so very sorry about your loss Alyssa. The loss of a pet is truly so hard. You are doing great work and Dream would be so proud to see you helping other dogs in her honor! Keep up the great work and I hope you have a happy holiday! 

      Sara Saylor

      Wildlife Education Director 

      Bridges for Brain Injury/Wildlife Rockstar 



      ------------------------------
      sara saylor
      Wildlife Education Director
      Bridges for Brain Injury/ Wildlife Rockstars
      NY
      ------------------------------



    • 57.  RE: December 2025 + January 2026 Giveaway: What's a win you're celebrating from this past year?

      Posted 14 days ago

      Hi Alyssa Fatigato, what an awesome idea you have and wonderful way to honor Dream! I wish you all the best in this endeavor



      ------------------------------
      Carol Bridges
      President
      Winding River Paws for a Cause
      NC
      ------------------------------



    • 58.  RE: December 2025 + January 2026 Giveaway: What's a win you're celebrating from this past year?

      Posted 14 days ago

      This year has been challenging for our organization. One thing we are very proud of for this past year is we provided over 180 educational presentations to the public to raise awareness for animal conservation and traumatic brain injury awareness. One of our animal care staff passed away unexpectedly last month and while the entire team is grieving and short staffed, it has been amazing to see the team come together and provide the best care for the animals while dealing with such a hard loss. I hope you all have a wonderful holiday and thank you all for what you do! 

      Sara Saylor

      Wildlife Education Director

      Bridges for Brain Injury/Wildlife Rockstars

      Farmington NY 

      www.bridgesforbraininjury.org 



      ------------------------------
      sara saylor
      Wildlife Education Director
      Bridges for Brain Injury/ Wildlife Rockstars
      NY
      ------------------------------



    • 59.  RE: December 2025 + January 2026 Giveaway: What's a win you're celebrating from this past year?

      Posted 14 days ago

      Our organization is very small. We are comprised of animal lovers in just our community of around 1100 homes. Our first year we were able to give each of 4 no kill shelters $2500.00 and the county shelter, $500 in new enrichment toys. this past October celebrating our 2nd year at our annual HOWLERWEEN, we presented $4000 to each no kill shelter and $2500 to the county shelter medical fund! We are a small but might group, fundraising for these organizations. 



      ------------------------------
      Carol Bridges
      President
      Winding River Paws for a Cause
      NC
      ------------------------------



    • 60.  RE: December 2025 + January 2026 Giveaway: What's a win you're celebrating from this past year?

      Posted 13 days ago

      What a year 2025 has been!  I started volunteering with Pawfect Life Rescue in 2025 and have since become Treasurer of The Board.  I'm so thankful to have found this amazing organization, it has quickly become my "happy place".  We also were incredibly fortunate to have received a $2500 grant from Maddie's Fund for attending The Community Conversations!  And thanks to some advice I've seen in other threads we were able to secure another grant as well!



      ------------------------------
      Melissa Fitzgerald
      Volunteer
      Pawfect Life Rescue
      MA
      ------------------------------



    • 61.  RE: December 2025 + January 2026 Giveaway: What's a win you're celebrating from this past year?

      Posted 13 days ago

      We have so many things to be proud of, but I am most proud of our At-Risk Committee who has perfected a process to help us ensure our most at-risk shelter dogs are getting the most resources leading to 88% save rate for our most vulnerable dogs while keeping our staff safe.  



      ------------------------------
      Jill Henke
      ------------------------------



    • 62.  RE: December 2025 + January 2026 Giveaway: What's a win you're celebrating from this past year?

      Posted 13 days ago

      A win we are celebrating at Just Giants Rescue, Inc. is we increased our intakes and adoptions in 2025.

      In 2024, we rescued 116 dogs and adopted 112.  Our goal for 2025 was to adopt 125 dogs.  To date, we have rescued 189 dogs and adopted 163 with 3 more pending adoption by the end of next week.  We couldn't do it without the support of our foster homes and they really stepped it up this year.  Some even took in multiple rescues at the same time. 

       We also added another volunteer to our social media team and she has been fabulous at creating engaging posts for our available fosters. 

      As the donaiton coordinator, I have been doing a lot of research on available grants and organizing  the data I need to complete applications as well as made a list of fundraising ideas I got from other posts in this forum to help replenish our medical fund.  I hope we can keep the momentum going into 2026.



      ------------------------------
      Nancy Kaniewski
      Volunteer Fundraising Coordinator
      Just Giants Rescue, Inc.
      IL
      ------------------------------



    • 63.  RE: December 2025 + January 2026 Giveaway: What's a win you're celebrating from this past year?

      Posted 13 days ago

      It is wonderful reading about all the successes of so many amazing organizations..  Lives of pets are certainly being made better....   This year was big for our organization due to us celebrating 45 years of being in the community.  What started as a grassroots effort, we focus on spay/neuter with our longest running program our clinic, then expanded to community outreach for vaccinations and dog/cat food which this year we will distribute close to 9,000 pounds of food to pet parents that need help. 45 years we have grown to support our mission  ~~  We believe every pet deserves a healthy life, and every owner deserves access to compassionate support. Beesley Animal Foundation exists to raise awareness and provide affordable care, education, and outreach that promotes responsible pet ownership-and in turn a stronger community.

      This year we made a project that had been on our wish list a reality.   We erected a 24/7 microchip scanning station outside our building so the community can check for microchips for found pets during evening and weekend hours.   This box also works as a dog/cat food blessing box.  



      ------------------------------
      Dawn Roberts
      Executive Director
      Beesley Animal Foundation
      Murfreesboro TN
      ------------------------------



    • 64.  RE: December 2025 + January 2026 Giveaway: What's a win you're celebrating from this past year?

      Posted 10 days ago

      Hi Dawn  -  I love the 24/7 scanning station.   I volunteer for a rescue so something like that wouldn't work for us, but I'm so glad you were able to do that for your community.



      ------------------------------
      Nancy Kaniewski
      Donation Coordinator
      Just Giants Rescue, Inc.
      ------------------------------



    • 65.  RE: December 2025 + January 2026 Giveaway: What's a win you're celebrating from this past year?

      Posted 13 days ago

      At Paws for a Cause, connection with other similar type organizations in our area is key. We have a great relationship with Paws-Ability and one of their programs is teaching children in schools how to "care for their pets". When covid hit that program disappeared. they have had trouble connecting with schools in this area because the principals are moved around a lot. I had a chance to meet one of the grade school principals local to us at another event. I told him about this program and was able to get an introductory meeting with Paws-Ability president. We now have an introductory class on April 15th scheduled for 4th and 5th graders and will subsequently have a 6 week program in the fall as well. We are very excited to see this take place.



      ------------------------------
      Carol Bridges
      President
      Winding River Paws for a Cause
      NC
      ------------------------------



    • 66.  RE: December 2025 + January 2026 Giveaway: What's a win you're celebrating from this past year?

      Posted 13 days ago

      One of the biggest wins-and honestly one of the most meaningful moments for our rescue and clinic-this past year was seeing Paw Project of Georgia move into our very first freestanding building, a place we were finally able to purchase after years of renting. Walking through those doors for the first time felt like stepping into a dream we'd been working toward for so long. The new building is twice the size of our old space, and that growth means more animals rescued, more spay and neuter surgeries performed, more patients vaccinated in our wellness clinic, and twice the doctor space to keep up with the need! This move wasn't just a change of address; it's a huge step for our small little rescue and clinic to save and serve more animals than ever before.



      ------------------------------
      Jessica Nelson
      Administrative Director and Co Founder
      Paw Project of Georgia, Inc
      GA
      ------------------------------



    • 67.  RE: December 2025 + January 2026 Giveaway: What's a win you're celebrating from this past year?

      Posted 11 days ago

      Congratulations!  What a wonderful goal to achieve!



      ------------------------------
      April King
      Volunteer and Board Member
      Kotor Kitties
      +1 206 407 5336
      http://www.kotorkitties.org
      ------------------------------



    • 68.  RE: December 2025 + January 2026 Giveaway: What's a win you're celebrating from this past year?

      Posted 13 days ago

      The B and Let Liv Project celebrated a "win" with the launch of our free "Foster 101" Zoom Webinars.

      However, we have an unexpected, urgent need. We recently took in a new foster, Max, who was cruelly neglected by an adopter who decided a dog "poops too much."  Max lost over 20 pounds in just two months and suffered unimaginable trauma as the adopter did not want to take the time to take him outside to the bathroom, so not feeding him was the solution.  We could not let him be euthanized for a human's actions.  The unrestricted gift would make a huge difference right now, helping us afford the special behavior trainer and insulate his designated foster area for the harsh Northeast winter. Max has a soul and deserves to feel unconditional love and thrive again.



      ------------------------------
      Tina Seidel
      [Professional Connector]
      Kalei Connections
      ------------------------------



    • 69.  RE: December 2025 + January 2026 Giveaway: What's a win you're celebrating from this past year?

      Posted 12 days ago

      Tina,

      I would look into grant opportunities for neglected dogs who need emergency medical attention. I recommend-

      -Bow Wow Buddies Foundation

      -The Onyx and Breezy Foundation

      -Petfinder (opens January 1st)

      -Greater Good Charities

      These are just a few but I think you would benefit greatly from looking into these if you weren't aware of them already. I hope this helps!



      ------------------------------
      Bailey Evans
      Grant Writer
      Animal Allies Humane Society
      MN
      ------------------------------



    • 70.  RE: December 2025 + January 2026 Giveaway: What's a win you're celebrating from this past year?

      Posted 12 days ago

      We are celebrating staring over in a new facility that was donated to us! For many years, we had city contracts which of course were a tremendous help, but politics played a roll as it often does and the city decided to manage the shelter themselves. We were gracious enough to have amazing supporters who donated an old hangar to us with a few acres. Slowly but surely, we are growing and doing things our way to give each cat and dog we save more meaningful where they may not have made it out of a regular shelter. We take the time to address the behavioral problems and the social anxiety. We are a small team of four, but we are mighty. With a supportive community, we have created a surgical room in this warehouse and put in restrooms. We have six cat kennels and four dog kennels. We have hosted seven low-cost vaccine and preventative clinics and will host our first spay/neuter clinic at this facility in January 2026, where we will spay/neuter 150 animals free of charge to our community and will host another 100 shortly after. Our goal for 2026 is 3,000 spay and neuter surgeries for our community.

      Because of the facility donation, we were able to spay and neuter 99 cats/dogs. We had 281 adoptions, 33 pets returned to owners, and 281 cats/dogs go to rescues. We are rebuilding our network, as many people thought we had to close our doors, but we strive to make our region a safer place for pets and do everything we can to help control the overpopulation of stray cats and dogs on our streets.

      We named our facility after the couple that donated it to our organization because without their help, these amazing cats/dogs wouldn't be in warm and loving homes. 



      ------------------------------
      Jennifer Vasquez
      Director of Development
      Rio Grande Valley Humane Society
      Harlingen TX
      ------------------------------



    • 71.  RE: December 2025 + January 2026 Giveaway: What's a win you're celebrating from this past year?

      Posted 12 days ago

      An example of a win I witnessed this year was with our Safety Net foster program. This program is to help owners in our community that are experiencing a temporary crisis that causes them to not be able to care for their pet. The last thing the owner wants to do is surrender their beloved pet and our safety net program helps keep their family together by fostering the pet until they can care for it again. We have had a number of "wins" with our safety net program, but one in particular this year stood out to me. There was an owner that had always given back to her community by fostering both animals and children, along with raising her own child and having owned pets. She experienced a few misfortunes that led to her losing her housing. He child had a place to stay, but she was living out of her car to be with her pets. This was less than ideal for the both of them. We were able to find a foster home for the time it took for the owner to acquire new pet friendly housing. The foster parent ended up benefiting from this program in a beautiful way. The foster parent was experiencing some major grief at that time and the dog she fostered helped her through that in ways that never expected, providing some much needed comfort at the time. Both the safety net owner and foster parent were grateful for each other. Of course, my favorite part was seeing the pet reunited with its owner! It is stories like these that make it all worth it! 



      ------------------------------
      Laura Kniffen
      ------------------------------



    • 72.  RE: December 2025 + January 2026 Giveaway: What's a win you're celebrating from this past year?

      Posted 11 days ago

      @Laura Kniffen What a great story and positive outcome for all involved. Thank you for sharing. I also love the idea of offering a safety net for people that need temporary help with their pets during a life transition. 



      ------------------------------
      Deeann Harper
      Shelter & Rescue Volunteer - Dog Behavior
      Mount Dora, FL
      ------------------------------



    • 73.  RE: December 2025 + January 2026 Giveaway: What's a win you're celebrating from this past year?

      Posted 11 days ago

      We moved from an off site adoption center to onsite so cats don'thaveto move from one location to another. Seems to have lessend stress.  Also the 3 season Catio is complete and we added heat for NE winter.  Also the quarantine and isolation rooms are seperate from the main building so I expect less transfer of ilness though out he population!!  SO happy it is done and plan an open house in the spring, as we expect snow already and I know some places are already digging out this winter.



      ------------------------------
      Sue Webb
      Stray Pets In Need of Mass.
      Natick MA
      ------------------------------



    • 74.  RE: December 2025 + January 2026 Giveaway: What's a win you're celebrating from this past year?

      Posted 9 days ago

      Hi Jennifer - What you have accomplished is awesome. It stinks when politics gets involved with animal rescue and I'm so grateful you were able to get out of that siutation.  I can't imagine having that much space to rescue cats and dogs.  Best of luck to you in your future endeavors.



      ------------------------------
      Nancy Kaniewski
      Donation Coordinator
      Just Giants Rescue, Inc.
      ------------------------------



    • 75.  RE: December 2025 + January 2026 Giveaway: What's a win you're celebrating from this past year?

      Posted 12 days ago
        |   view attached

      The organization I volunteer with hit a huge goal recently by spaying and neutering 19,000 cats.  Yes that's right.  19 THOUSAND cats have been spayed/neutered since the inception of our organization in late 2022.  It is a huge number and we are very proud of our small organization for getting this done!  We estimate we'll hit 20,000 by early 2026.  It just goes to show how volunteers on a shoestring budget and partnering with other non profit organizations can make big things happen. 



      ------------------------------
      Juliet Doty
      Grant Writer/Volunteer
      Fresno TNR
      CA
      ------------------------------



    • 76.  RE: December 2025 + January 2026 Giveaway: What's a win you're celebrating from this past year?

      Posted 11 days ago

      That is an incredible number.  We have two free S/N clinics that performed nearly 10,000 surgeries in 2024. One clinic has numerous vets, the other just one. The numbers are impressive.. Super human even. I have witnessed the process and it is a well oiled machine. We owe these vets enormous gratitude. We should start to see a reduction in the over population in a couple of years. Here in NM there are a few areas where there is a serious problem.  We have county ordinances but no real enforcement. I can't wait to see a change. We send most of our puppies to Colorado where there is strict enforcement. So much so that they request our pups. The dark side of that puppies are S&N at 8 weeks. 



      ------------------------------
      JUDITH PEARSON
      President
      The Dixon Animal Protection Society
      NM
      ------------------------------



    • 77.  RE: December 2025 + January 2026 Giveaway: What's a win you're celebrating from this past year?

      Posted 10 days ago

      Hi Judith - Congrants on the spay/neuters.  That is HUGE!!!  Can you offer some insight on who you partner with to make this happen.  Our foster is based in Illinois, focusing on rescuing giant breed dogs in the Mid-West.  We do have some fosters outside our target area which really helps when we get contacted by a shelter in that area looking for a foster home.  Our problem is in Illinois, spay/neuter costs are outrageous even with a rescue discount.  There area a few spay/neuter clinics we use, but the foster home has to be within a radius to use their services.   The rest end up with crazy bills for the alteration.  Our rescue's medical fund takes a huge hit every year altering dogs.  If we could partner with other organizations, or better yet - convince some vets to charge a much lower fee, it would a great help.  



      ------------------------------
      Nancy Kaniewski
      Donation Coordinator
      Just Giants Rescue, Inc.
      ------------------------------



    • 78.  RE: December 2025 + January 2026 Giveaway: What's a win you're celebrating from this past year?

      Posted 10 days ago

      Though there are a lot of resources lacking here in northern New Mexico both Taos County and Rio Arriba County have free spay neuter clinics. When you bring a pet in, it includes vaccinations and a free microchip. The clinic in Taos County is Spay Taos and they are funded through donations and grants, and here in Rio Arriba County, the clinic at the Espanola Humane Society, is also funded with donations and grants. Both clinics also serve the surrounding Pueblo's and neighboring counties.



      ------------------------------
      JUDITH PEARSON
      President
      The Dixon Animal Protection Society
      NM
      ------------------------------



    • 79.  RE: December 2025 + January 2026 Giveaway: What's a win you're celebrating from this past year?

      Posted 11 days ago

      Our biggest 2025 win was obtaining our 501c3 and insurance so we could start taking in dogs! We started working on everything in March, got our nonprofit status in Sept, insurance in October, and we have just admitted our 20th pup into the program here at Lilac City Pup Project!



      ------------------------------
      Rebecca Bigelow
      Volunteer Coordinator
      Lilac City Pup Project
      WA
      ------------------------------



    • 80.  RE: December 2025 + January 2026 Giveaway: What's a win you're celebrating from this past year?

      Posted 11 days ago

      Congratulations! Here in NM it is the little non profits carrying the load. You will make a difference!



      ------------------------------
      JUDITH PEARSON
      President
      The Dixon Animal Protection Society
      NM
      ------------------------------



    • 81.  RE: December 2025 + January 2026 Giveaway: What's a win you're celebrating from this past year?

      Posted 10 days ago

      Rebecca - Congrats on obtaining your non-profit status and insurance.  The best part, well second best part, is all funds received are non-taxable.  The first best part is taking in dogs.  I'm in the midst of planning an online auction for our rescue, so if  you need  help getting doantions for any fundraising efforts, please reach out.  I'm happy to help  you get started.



      ------------------------------
      Nancy Kaniewski
      Donation Coordinator
      Just Giants Rescue, Inc.
      ------------------------------



    • 82.  RE: December 2025 + January 2026 Giveaway: What's a win you're celebrating from this past year?

      Posted 11 days ago

      A huge win for Humane Society Silicon Valley comes with mixed emotions as we reach the one year anniversary of our shelter fire (12/16) next week. While all people and animals were safe, the impact to our shelter building was and continues to be significant. What appeared at first glance to be 2-3 months of repairs turned into years. Our staff are here because of their desire to have mission impact, faced with capacity challenges with only partial use of the shelter. As leadership, management, and staff - everyone had to pivot on the spot and not only right after the fire but every day since then. A fire can also trigger personal emotions, being there as an organization to support wellness has been essential. I am amazed all the time of how within days our team was back to performing surgeries, turned conference rooms into adoption floors and workspace - never missing a beat to push our mission forward. As we faced one foot forward with the rebuild, we found one foot back..but our step is getting quicker...! We have an amazing rebuild team, incredible plans for the future, and ongoing communications through monthly Town Halls and other forums to ensure staff are aware of not just the challenges, but the progress. Next week on the anniversary of the fire, we're gathering our staff together and taking a moment to pause and reflect on the emotions of the past, present, and wins we've had along the way.

      The answer and WIN for our shelter: resiliency.



      ------------------------------
      Kristi Mack
      Senior Director, HR and Community Engagement
      Humane Society Silicon Valley
      ------------------------------



    • 83.  RE: December 2025 + January 2026 Giveaway: What's a win you're celebrating from this past year?

      Posted 10 days ago

      Hi Kristi - I am so sorry you experienced such a great tragedy.  A shelter in our area experienced a fire a couple years back as well.  Everyone was safe, but I don't think anyone ever fully recovers on an emotional level from a fire.  Especially when animals are involved.  It's amazing how quickly we can pivot when faced with adversity.  My dad always said, learn to make the best out of what you have and you will always succeed.  Congrants on having an awesome team to get through this with.



      ------------------------------
      Nancy Kaniewski
      Donation Coordinator
      Just Giants Rescue, Inc.
      ------------------------------



    • 84.  RE: December 2025 + January 2026 Giveaway: What's a win you're celebrating from this past year?

      Posted 10 days ago

      Thank you Nancy, wise quote that your Dad always said. 



      ------------------------------
      Kristi Mack
      Senior Director, HR and Community Engagement
      Humane Society Silicon Valley
      ------------------------------



    • 85.  RE: December 2025 + January 2026 Giveaway: What's a win you're celebrating from this past year?

      Posted 11 days ago

      I love this question and it forces me to think back over the year and congratulate myself on all of the small (and big) wins instead of just feeling bogged down by a looming 2026. It took months, but we finally received confirmation of 501(c)3 status and I was presented with the incredible opportunity to purchase a property with 14 acres on which to start the sanctuary. 

      We still have a long road ahead with the new NY Companion Animal Care Standards Act going into effect this month, but I am optimistic that we can meet the guidelines and provide safe haven and sanctuary for senior dogs in Central New York!



      ------------------------------
      Olivia Wilhelm
      Founder/Director
      Friends of Felix Senior Dog Rescue and Sanctuary
      New York
      www.friendsoffelix.org
      ------------------------------



    • 86.  RE: December 2025 + January 2026 Giveaway: What's a win you're celebrating from this past year?

      Posted 10 days ago

      In July 20 24, our executive Director of 43 years, surprised us by resigning. We had a challenging transition that I wasn’t sure if we were going to make through. It took about six months of hard work with all board members involved. We have implemented new accounting practices, new programs, particularly supporting those were struggling and the unhoused. We’re in a much better place! Judy



      ------------------------------
      JUDITH PEARSON
      President
      The Dixon Animal Protection Society
      NM
      ------------------------------



    • 87.  RE: December 2025 + January 2026 Giveaway: What's a win you're celebrating from this past year?

      Posted 10 days ago

      One win we're especially proud of this past year is strengthening Ziva Dog Rescue's fundraising  efforts. We hosted community-driven fundraising initiatives like our pet portrait fundraiser and Giving Tuesday campaign, which not only raised critical funds but also helped deepen engagement with our supporters in a meaningful way.

      Another major win has been becoming more intentional and confident in applying for grants and building partnerships. Joining networks like Maddie's Fund and Best Friends Animal Society has been a game changer for us - opening doors to education, resources, and funding opportunities that help us operate more strategically as a rescue. Being awarded grant support through these efforts reinforced that we're moving in the right direction and gave us the confidence to keep improving our processes.

      As a 100% volunteer-based rescue, these wins may seem small individually, but together they've made a big difference in our ability to care for more dogs and set them up for successful forever homes. This year reminded me that progress isn't just about the funds raised - it's about learning, adapting, and building a stronger foundation for the future.



      ------------------------------
      Julie Beatty
      Grants Coordinator
      Ziva Dog Rescue
      ------------------------------



    • 88.  RE: December 2025 + January 2026 Giveaway: What's a win you're celebrating from this past year?

      Posted 9 days ago

      I love this question - life has been busy, and I am behind planning for 2026.  Taking a moment to pause and look back is a valuable part of moving forward.  
      We added new volunteers, only a few, but a few is better than none. 
      We had several great adoptions.
      We strengthened our partnership with a municipal shelter. This opened adoptions for their organization and helped us with some of our rescues. 

      Our biggest worry for 2026 is financial concerns.  I have maintained a part-time job to offset the expenses not covered by donations, and that part-time job is going away. We are looking for ways to strengthen the organization's finances.  

      We are excited to see what doors open in 2026.



      ------------------------------
      Connie Ash
      Director
      Mended Paws Sanctuary
      AR
      ------------------------------



    • 89.  RE: December 2025 + January 2026 Giveaway: What's a win you're celebrating from this past year?

      Posted 9 days ago

      We are celebrating and increase in revenue from even more supporters, but also some diversitying revenue streams!  As a young non-profit, we are super excited to share this win this year - despite having a significant leadership challenge this year!  We can help more pets get life-saving veterinary care to be able to stay with their families that love them.



      ------------------------------
      Julie Smith
      Founder, Board Member
      Sage Compassion for Animals
      CA
      ------------------------------



    • 90.  RE: December 2025 + January 2026 Giveaway: What's a win you're celebrating from this past year?

      Posted 5 days ago

      Hi Connie -  I'm sorry to hear about you losing your part-time job.  Do you have a donation/fundraising team?  There are so many different ideas to help ease the burden of running a non-profit and financial worries.  Some examples are:

      you can start an internship for  your Sanctuary for high school and college students that includes collecting resumes, interviews, and teacher recommendaiton.  The students would volunteer for a minimum one year commitment (or whatever time frame you deem appropriate) and work side by side with and under the supervision of your current volunteers.  They can do social media posts, manage your website, help with the day-to-day operations, stuff like that.  It gives them real world expeience while easing the burden of your volunteers.  Once that commitment is fulfilled, they can use you as a reference for college/job applications. 

      You can also utilize the junior high and high school students to conduct donation drives for your most needed items.

      ABC Fundraising has scratch cards you can use to raise money.  I believe each card raises $200 for your organization. 

      In the Chicago area, a popular trend is bars and restaurants doing in-house fundraising where we get a percentage of the proceeds during a specific time frame.  We have to do all the marketing for the event, but it's a pretty easy couple hundred dollars.  

      My rescue is planning a dog wash fundraiser in 2026.  There are several public dog wash facilites and one has agreed to allow us to use two of their stations.  People bring in their dog and we will do the work.  We haven't worked out all the details yet, but that's the next thing on my list to schedule after our on-line auction in April.

      Good luck with your fundraising goals.



      ------------------------------
      Nancy Kaniewski
      Donation Coordinator
      Just Giants Rescue, Inc.
      ------------------------------



    • 91.  RE: December 2025 + January 2026 Giveaway: What's a win you're celebrating from this past year?

      Posted 9 days ago

      As we take time to reflect on the achievements and struggles of 2025, we are proud to report that it was our first year as a nonprofit organization and we are full to the brim with extraordinary achievements. Thanks to the unwavering support of the community of animal advocates, our donor base  and incredible adopters, Gatos Borincoon, Inc., has navigated its 1st full year.

      Deep into kitten season, we continued focusing in TNVR community cats in Puerto Rico and electing our Board of Directors.   We have straightened the commitment to local leaders in TNVR,  creating 2 programs. Community Cats TNVR and the foster program of colony kittens. We speared important conversations about how to tackle the pressing issues of cat overpopulation and increasing number of abandoned of cats in Puerto  Rico.  For 2026 focus will be evolving to involve more the community

      Our wins

      • 121 spay and neuters of community cat as part of the TNVR program. 
      • 54 kittens rescued from the colonies this year
      • 65 adoptions

       2025 has overwhelmed us as but has fueled our determination to  continue to plow the way and make lasting impact in the communities we serve while inspiring others. 

      The biggest win this year for us was to to get the first grant!

      We won the Maddie's Pet Forum Cuddly Prize this year and the First Steps by Binky Foundation. That was amazing to us.



      ------------------------------
      Wendy Montanez-Ortiz
      Founder
      Gatos Borincoon
      MA
      ------------------------------



    • 92.  RE: December 2025 + January 2026 Giveaway: What's a win you're celebrating from this past year?

      Posted 9 days ago

      So happy and relieved that we found a heathy and wonderful placement/forever home for a medically and behaviorally difficult to place dog! She deserves to live happily ever after. 



      ------------------------------
      Kim Hamel
      Veterinarian
      NMDOG
      NM
      ------------------------------



    • 93.  RE: December 2025 + January 2026 Giveaway: What's a win you're celebrating from this past year?

      Posted 8 days ago

      One of the biggest wins for our rescue this year was successfully saving a special needs pug, Pickles, that needed a lot of medical support for his health. We gave him the nickname the $20,000 pug because of his high medical costs. He was very sick and with lots of vet appointments and testing, learned that he had PLE and IBD and also needed a special diet. But because we were able to raise funds and receive donations, the rescue was able to pay the $20K to save his life, care for him, keep him comfy in foster care and find him the perfect furever home!

      Pickles the pug wearing a gray slouchy beanie and red hoodie after one of his vet appointments


      ------------------------------
      Hali Fortuna
      Foster Coordinator
      Mid Michigan Pug Club and Rescue
      MI
      ------------------------------



    • 94.  RE: December 2025 + January 2026 Giveaway: What's a win you're celebrating from this past year?

      Posted 5 days ago

      Hi Hali - What a wonderful story.  Here are  some links to medical grants just incase you were not aware of them.  Read through each one carefully because not all cases qualify for funding.  If needed in the future, I hope you get one.

      https://www.bissellpetfoundation.org/grant-information/#

      https://americanhumane.jotform.com/form/240244829861158

      https://www.bowwowbuddies.com/apply-for-grant/

      https://www.onyxandbreezy.org/grant-application-faqs.html

      https://www.grantinterface.com/Opportunity/Catalog/Index?urlkey=petfinder 

      Petfinder grants are closed until 2026, but they do have some good opportunities.  One stipulation is you must list your available dogs on their website.  Petfinder can be a bit of a pain to navigate, once your dogs are listed, it's worth the aggravation to be able to apply for grants.

      Good Luck and keep doing the good work.



      ------------------------------
      Nancy Kaniewski
      Donation Coordinator
      Just Giants Rescue, Inc.
      ------------------------------



    • 95.  RE: December 2025 + January 2026 Giveaway: What's a win you're celebrating from this past year?

      Posted 8 days ago

      In 2025 we took the first steps to broaden the support our organization is able to offer people and their pets!

      This year, Blanchet House started a partnership with SPCAI and its PAWsitive Recovery program to bring recovery dog fostering to Oregon. The program will provide short-term boarding and foster care support to pet owners who are seeking treatment for addiction. The primary goal is to improve reunification outcomes for people and pets by preventing the unnecessary surrender of companion animals to shelters and rescues.  

      Thanks to SPCAI we have received the first lead gift that will help fund this new program. 

      As we move into the new year, we will be converting a modular unit on our property into safe and secure enclosures for the dogs that will be fostered through this program. Building improvements include installing four 4'x10' indoor kennels and one large outdoor dog run for daily exercise and play. We will also be connecting with local veterinarians, behaviorists, and other animal welfare organizations to build a network of support. 

      We are new to the animal welfare space, as Blanchet House & Farm is a human services organization. We appreciate Maddie's Forum and the resources, insights, and community it is providing as we add recovery dog fostering into our program offerings. 

      If anyone would like to connect further and learn more, please feel free to email me at gthuilliler@blanchethouse.org



      ------------------------------
      Gabby Thuillier
      Social Enterprise Manager
      Blanchet House & Farm
      OR
      ------------------------------



    • 96.  RE: December 2025 + January 2026 Giveaway: What's a win you're celebrating from this past year?

      Posted 7 days ago

      This probably won't seem like a big deal to many of you in light of the fantastic accomplishments I see in this thread, but as a very small, foster-based rescue, we're pretty thrilled that we finally managed to get enough volunteer coverage to have our kitties in a Petsmart habitat. We accomplished this by partnering with another small local rescue to share the space and the volunteers needed. This has led to an increase in adoptions for us, which we are extremely pleased about, as we have struggled with adoptions because of not having anywhere that people could just come browse and meet several kitties at once.



      ------------------------------
      Julie Sims
      Kudzu Cat Alliance
      Cobb County GA
      ------------------------------



    • 97.  RE: December 2025 + January 2026 Giveaway: What's a win you're celebrating from this past year?

      Posted 6 days ago

      Julie, that is a big deal. We are very much the same a rural small Foster based Rescue. Without a shelter or central location other than my house, and I can only keep so many animals and it's inconvenient to have people just show up and it's loud because I have 10 foster dogs. So it's not a good set up at all for cat adoptions. Like you, we partner with a local pet store. For us it's Petsense by tractor supply and the manager used to manage Petco in Santa Fe but he has a whole lot more control in his current position and it's closer to us. The manager actually lives in our community. I don't know what we would do with all the kittens we had this year as we adopted dozens out through Petsense. And I am glad these retailers are available to you and us. I hope they know what a difference they are making. Congrats on the partnership and the adoption opportunities. It's so different for our small Foster based rescue groups. Keep up the good work.



      ------------------------------
      JUDITH PEARSON
      President
      The Dixon Animal Protection Society
      NM
      ------------------------------



    • 98.  RE: December 2025 + January 2026 Giveaway: What's a win you're celebrating from this past year?

      Posted 5 days ago

      Hi Julie - Getting your kittens in PetSmart is HUGE.  Congrats on that. 



      ------------------------------
      Nancy Kaniewski
      Donation Coordinator
      Just Giants Rescue, Inc.
      ------------------------------



    • 99.  RE: December 2025 + January 2026 Giveaway: What's a win you're celebrating from this past year?

      Posted 6 days ago

      Good morning, all!  While this may not seem like a very big deal, but our biggest goal for 2025 was to be prepared and in compliance with the new NYS Companion Animal Standards Act that went into effect 12/15/25.  I am happy to report that we were able to officially adopt our complete Policy and Procedures Manual that covers every required topic.  Are there still a couple of areas that need tweaking?  Absolutely!  But, should we have our first visit tomorrow, we are ready.  Phew.  



      ------------------------------
      Diane Metz
      Board of Directors, Volunteer, and Foster Mom
      Orange Street Cats, Inc.
      Albany NY
      ------------------------------



    • 100.  RE: December 2025 + January 2026 Giveaway: What's a win you're celebrating from this past year?

      Posted 6 days ago

      We are excited that we were able to get 60 elusive dogs off of the streets into safe, loving homes this year! Duck Team 6 is a small organization in the Dallas area made up of 100% volunteers. Our capture team has about 5 volunteers. The dogs we capture are so elusive that even animal control  is unable to catch them. When we receive a request about a scared street dog, we immediately look for a foster and rescue, because we do not take any dogs to shelters. While we look for a foster and rescue, we set out a locked trap, food, and a trail camera to monitor when the dog comes and simultaneously get them conditioned to eating at the back of the trap. Once we find a foster, a rescue, and the dog is eating out of the back of the trap, we set a capture date. On capture day, we unlock the trap and sometimes wait for hours for the dog to come. Once the dog gets in the trap, we take them directly to the foster's house. Sometimes it might take several capture day attempts before we are successful. Most cases from the day of the request to getting into the foster's home takes several weeks and many times, even several months. While 60 captures may seem  like a small number, to those 60 dogs their lives have completely changed for the better! Additionally, most of the dogs we capture are intact. So, each one taken off the streets prevents unplanned litters, another win! Attached is one the 60, Elsie!

      Elsie after capture



      ------------------------------
      Monica Portillo
      Capture Volunteer
      Duck Team 6
      TX
      ------------------------------



    • 101.  RE: December 2025 + January 2026 Giveaway: What's a win you're celebrating from this past year?

      Posted 6 days ago

      In September 2025, Wrinkles & Wigglebutts Rescue stopped being a dream and became a little family with paperwork: our 501(c)(3) was approved, we seated our board, and we confirmed a veterinary partner here in Bullhead City, AZ.

      In October we pulled our first rescue, Arlove (Short for Our Love Bug), a French Bulldog Mix from a California shelter. She looked so miserable and infected that we sprang into action. About six years old, found as a stray with three pups and pregnant, she clearly had been bred too many times. She also arrived with bilateral cherry eye, severe allergies and a skin infection, major ear damage and infections in both ears, spine discomfort, and cage sores. The shelter had just aborted her pregnancy, and she was in rough shape.

      We paid $383.96 that day to stabilize her. Most recently, we put $506.69 on CareCredit to finally get her skin under control-and it gave her something small that felt enormous: an itch-free morning. If you've watched a dog wake up scratching herself raw, you know what that means.

      The road ahead-for our rescue and for Arlove-is real. Pre-op diagnostics are $615–$676.50; cherry-eye repair and medications are $1,690–$1,859 (total $2,305–$2,535.50). After surgery, the everyday work continues: daily ear medication and cleaning, monthly allergy injections, long-term skin management, and possibly future ear surgery if her canals don't stay healthy. We'll say the quiet part out loud to people who understand: dogs like Arlove are hard to place. She's sweet as sugar, a total love bug, but most adopters don't sign up for daily care and forever allergies.

      We have raised some funds, not much but it a start and participated with a vendor in a fundraiser selling coffee. A $1,000 gift to a brand-new rescue with a high-cost case would mean so very much. To to clear the $506.69 visit so her meds don't skip a beat, and then to pre-op testing so we can schedule her cherry-eye repair.

      Our win this year isn't flashy; it's standing up a tiny rescue that can turn paperwork and persistence into one dog's comfort-and, if we keep showing up, a repeatable path for every bulldog who comes after her in 2026.

      Arlove after 1st Vet visit


      ------------------------------
      Vanessa Robertson
      President
      Wrinkles & Wigglebutts Rescue Inc
      AZ
      ------------------------------



    • 102.  RE: December 2025 + January 2026 Giveaway: What's a win you're celebrating from this past year?

      Posted 6 days ago

      Vanessa, bless you for taking on such an enormous challenge. What a sweetheart she is. Thank you and keep up the faith. Have you done a gofundme campaign?



      ------------------------------
      Carol Bridges
      President
      Winding River Paws for a Cause
      NC
      ------------------------------



    • 103.  RE: December 2025 + January 2026 Giveaway: What's a win you're celebrating from this past year?

      Posted 6 days ago

      Thank you, its defiantly a little learning curve and i am so thankful I found this forum which so much information; truly helpful and inspirational.  

      We have setup a PayPal donation link for Arlove: https://www.paypal.com/donate?campaign_id=25PE5E9PKREDW



      ------------------------------
      Vanessa Robertson
      President
      Wrinkles & Wigglebutts Rescue Inc
      AZ
      ------------------------------



    • 104.  RE: December 2025 + January 2026 Giveaway: What's a win you're celebrating from this past year?

      Posted 5 days ago

      Hi Vanessa - What a wonderful story.  Arlove is lucky to hae found you.  Here are some links to medical grants you can apply for just in case you are not aware of them.  Read the requirements carefully because not all cases qualify for funding.  

      https://www.bissellpetfoundation.org/grant-information/#

      https://americanhumane.jotform.com/form/240244829861158

      https://www.bowwowbuddies.com/apply-for-grant/

      https://www.onyxandbreezy.org/grant-application-faqs.html

      https://www.grantinterface.com/Opportunity/Catalog/Index?urlkey=petfinder 

      Petfinder grants are closed until 2026, but they do have some good opportunities.  One stipulation is you must list your available dogs on their website.  Petfinder can be a bit of a pain to navigate, once your dogs are listed, it's worth the aggravation to be able to apply for grants.

      Good luck and thank you for stepping up for Arlove.



      ------------------------------
      Nancy Kaniewski
      Donation Coordinator
      Just Giants Rescue, Inc.
      ------------------------------



    • 105.  RE: December 2025 + January 2026 Giveaway: What's a win you're celebrating from this past year?

      Posted yesterday

      I love this question! I started a non profit called FLUTD Fighters Foundation to pay for emergency unblocking and treating cats with urethral obstruction. We provide the funding when owners cannot come up with the high cost of treatment. We have saved 50 cats since May 2025. I am incredibly proud of how much we have done in such a short time. 50 cats we prevented from being euthanized or ending up in the local shelters. 50 families that got to keep their beloved fur baby. I am thankful to have been able to be a part of that. 



      ------------------------------
      Michelle Stange
      Veterinarian
      FLUTD Fighters Foundation
      TX
      ------------------------------



    • 106.  RE: December 2025 + January 2026 Giveaway: What's a win you're celebrating from this past year?

      Posted 9 hours ago

       The cost of unblocking is extremelyhigh. My baby Luther started getting crystals this year at the young age of 2. I brought him in and they catheterized him and flushed his bladder but it inflammed his ureter. It happened again a week later on a weekend so I brought him to the Universities emergency room hoping for the latest tech to help him. Several thousand dollars later they did essentially the same thing, only they left the catheter there for 2 days. I picked him up shaking, terrified, and exhausted. Then 2 weeks later it happened again. I had his bladder flushed again. During this time I changed his food I had him on pain meds and I even tried antidepressants that I heard had worked for another lady's cat. The fourth time it happened I put him to sleep. He was suffering and in pain and it broke me. I'm crying as I type this but I know it was the right choice because he couldn't go on with that daily pain. But he was my best friend and was there for a lot of rough times with me. I wish you all the success with this program because it will save cats and the people who love them.



      ------------------------------
      April Cannizzaro
      CEO
      San Diego Last Chance Ranch
      CA
      ------------------------------



    • 107.  RE: December 2025 + January 2026 Giveaway: What's a win you're celebrating from this past year?

      Posted yesterday

      The beginning of 2025 marked a season of change for our rescue/clinic. We had several key staff members move on to tackle new challenges and adventures. We accepted that our rescue numbers would be lower this year as we add new staff members and begin training/acclimating to their new roles. We lost our HQHV surgeon, Adoption Center Manager, Dog Manager, and Operations Manager this past year to retirement, medical concerns, and several other very reasonable, understandable life changes. We entered the season of change with positivity and optimism for fresh ideas and renewed enthusiasm about our mission. Our new team is young and had very little experience in their new roles but they are mighty!! Just yesterday I realized that we have already surpassed last year's rescue numbers and are on track to have the second best year in our twenty-year history. I'm incredibly proud of our new, young team!! ❤️



      ------------------------------
      Tanya Jonda
      Executive Director
      One Of A Kind Pet Rescue
      OH
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    • 108.  RE: December 2025 + January 2026 Giveaway: What's a win you're celebrating from this past year?

      Posted 9 hours ago

      A win I am celebrating for this past year is the number of successful adoptions that have happened at the rescue. Also the number of street cats that were at deaths door that we were able to save through trapping and medical treatment. We also were able to trap and fix almost all the adult cats and some of the kittens in a colony across the street. Still working on trapping more, in an attempt to stop the constant kitten brigade we see every spring.



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      April Cannizzaro
      CEO
      San Diego Last Chance Ranch
      CA
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    • 109.  RE: December 2025 + January 2026 Giveaway: What's a win you're celebrating from this past year?

      Posted 8 hours ago

      A big win for me this year was turning an idea into something real. My husband and I self-taught ourselves how to develop a 10-acre property from raw land - permitting, grading, stormwater, and all - to support The Good Stay, a nonprofit providing temporary care for dogs during family medical crises. It's been hard, humbling, and incredibly rewarding to build something with our own hands that will serve others. 



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      Amber Lewis
      Director
      The Good Stay
      MD
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