Maddie inspired a whole generation of people to stop accepting "that's just how it is" and start asking "what if we did this differently?"
That question is what led me to build the Animal Welfare Resource Network. I was watching families lose their pets to problems that had solutions, shelters running on separate systems that never talked to each other, and partners doing great work in isolation. The Shift to Prevention guide came directly from asking Maddie's question: what if we stopped waiting for animals to end up in the system and started preventing it?
Every time I see a family keep their pet because someone answered the phone at the right time, or a stray gets matched back to their owner because two organizations finally shared data, I think about the little dog who made all of us believe the system could change.
Happy birthday, Maddie. We're still building what you started.
#ThanksToMaddie
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BJ Adkins
Founder/Director
Animal-Angels Foundation
Pinson, AL
bjadkins@animal-angels.organimal-angelsfoundation.org
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Original Message:
Sent: 04-22-2026 10:44 AM
From: Brittany Ransonet
Subject: Happy birthday, Maddie! Tell us how she's inspired you!
Today, we're celebrating a very special birthday – Maddie, the little dog who sparked a big revolution! (Her actual birthday is April 26). She was spunky, full of heart and the inspiration behind everything we do.
We'd love to hear how Maddie has inspired you. Share your favorite #ThanksToMaddie story below!
#MarketingandSocialMedia
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Brittany Ransonet
Marketing Communications Project Manager
Maddie's Fund
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