Animal Welfare Professionals

As we continue celebrating Maddie's Fund's 30th anniversary with our friends at Cuddly, we're taking a moment this November to appreciate the knowledge and support that power our animal well-being (welfare) community. 

🧡 This month's giveaway theme is all about reflecting on the resources and discussions that have helped you make a difference! 

How to Enter: To enter this month's $1,000 Cuddly prize pack giveaway, simply comment on this thread during November and tell us about a resource, course or discussion from Maddie's University or Maddie's Pet Forum that's impacted your work. You'll be automatically entered to win a $1,000 Cuddly prize packed with goodies for the furry friends in your care! 🐾

Share Your Favorite Resource & Say Thanks! 🙏🏼
Is there a self-paced course, webcast, online instructor-led course, instructor-led course (formerly apprenticeships), Community Conversation, forum discussion or resource library entry that has made an impact on your work? How has it helped you tackle challenges, learn a new skill or grow in your role? And is there a community member or educator you'd like to thank? 

This is your chance to reflect, share insights and express gratitude for the resources and people who've been part of your learning journey. 🍁 Let's inspire each other by shining a light on the valuable lessons and connections we've made throughout the years #ThanksToMaddie!

Find More Details & Monthly Threads
Learn about the monthly Cuddly prize pack giveaways and explore all of our 30th anniversary threads here: forum.maddiesfund.org/30yearsgiveaway

Thank you for your dedication and the hard work you do each day! Here's to continuing to build relationships that support each other, the pets in our care, the people in our community – and to 30 years of making a difference, together! 🎉

#EducationandTraining
#PeopleManagement(includingVolunteerIntegration)

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

The Hospice for Cats and Dogs course through Maddie's University presented by Clara Showalter and Jessica Marsh was the most impactful to me. I am a relatively new user of this site and of rescue resources in general, so I have only scratched the surface of their wealth of knowledge.  My rescue was hiring a new CEO and I wanted to be prepared to bring up the topic of Fospice. Our rescue has a sanctuary that I believe could use a revamp and I wanted fospice to be a topic of discussion. I reached out to Jessica Marsh with questions on fospice for ferals and I was appreciative of her response. This course really opened up my eyes and will continue to help me discuss this with the leaders of my org. 

------------------------------
Erin Mader
Volunteer
Happily Ever After Animal Sanctuary
WI
------------------------------

I am so grateful for the data that is available! Specifically I live in a rural area. We have very limited access to veterinarians and even less financial support. The result is an overpopulation of community cats and all the associated problems. The research and data available through Maddie's University, in regard to the million cat challenge, will allow me to offer a fact based presentation to municipal authorities. I believe that a data driven approach will help me gain support and funding to ramp up TNR programs. Together we can find a better solution for the community and the cats! I would not have access to this data without this forum and Maddie's University. Thanks so much.

------------------------------
Jo Ottinger
Rescue coordinator
Meow Mission
MD
------------------------------

It would be impossible for me to name one thing about this site that has been useful for me - the entire site is. I've gained a lot of insight from others involved with rescue through the forum discussions - most useful to me have been grant opportunities and how to draft volunteers and keep them engaged. I have also gained a lot of useful information from the weekly videos - how to think outside the box and reminders to look at things from others' perspectives. Thank you for providing such important resources.

------------------------------
Gigi Zoltek
------------------------------

I've been part of Maddie's community for quite some time now, and I always find help and ideas, no matter what organization I am with

I took part as the foster apprentice for a week in Austin Pet Alive. That was An amazing experience that, 9 years after, I still have in my head, the learning and the shelter. 

Since then, I have been the foster coordinator and adoption coordinator and in 2021 we started our own small rescue.  Nowadays i manly use the resources for grants and donations and always interested in recruiting fostering ideas, which i found some.  

I was excited when the Small & Mighty Organizations started. That's a better fit for a small rescue since our issues and struggles are different or need different solutions. 

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

Original Message:
Sent: 11-02-2024 10:56 AM
From: Gigi Zoltek
Subject: November 2024 Giveaway: Thankful for Resources & Community!

It would be impossible for me to name one thing about this site that has been useful for me - the entire site is. I've gained a lot of insight from others involved with rescue through the forum discussions - most useful to me have been grant opportunities and how to draft volunteers and keep them engaged. I have also gained a lot of useful information from the weekly videos - how to think outside the box and reminders to look at things from others' perspectives. Thank you for providing such important resources.

------------------------------
Gigi Zoltek
------------------------------

I have to agree the last webinar on Introduction To Grant Funding was extremely helpful since I have just started as the Executive Director at our rescue and all future grant proposals I will be writing. I hope they do more webinars specifically relating to grants and best practices. 

------------------------------
Brittany Stautmeister
Executive Director
Highland Lakes Canine Rescue
TX
------------------------------

Original Message:
Sent: 11-02-2024 10:56 AM
From: Gigi Zoltek
Subject: November 2024 Giveaway: Thankful for Resources & Community!

It would be impossible for me to name one thing about this site that has been useful for me - the entire site is. I've gained a lot of insight from others involved with rescue through the forum discussions - most useful to me have been grant opportunities and how to draft volunteers and keep them engaged. I have also gained a lot of useful information from the weekly videos - how to think outside the box and reminders to look at things from others' perspectives. Thank you for providing such important resources.

------------------------------
Gigi Zoltek
------------------------------

I totally agree. Grant writing is entirely new to me and I had not a clue as to doing it successfully. The Grant Writing webinar was invaluable.

I must also add that the Camp Maddie presentation on Pet Inclusive Housing was a great source of information on the topic and a real eyeopener.

Thank you for both these opportunities to deepen my understanding.

------------------------------
Suzanne Ackley
Volunteer
Summit County Pet Food Pantry
CO
------------------------------

Original Message:
Sent: 11-12-2024 09:23 AM
From: Brittany Stautmeister
Subject: November 2024 Giveaway: Thankful for Resources & Community!

I have to agree the last webinar on Introduction To Grant Funding was extremely helpful since I have just started as the Executive Director at our rescue and all future grant proposals I will be writing. I hope they do more webinars specifically relating to grants and best practices. 

------------------------------
Brittany Stautmeister
Executive Director
Highland Lakes Canine Rescue
TX
------------------------------


Original Message:
Sent: 11-02-2024 10:56 AM
From: Gigi Zoltek
Subject: November 2024 Giveaway: Thankful for Resources & Community!

It would be impossible for me to name one thing about this site that has been useful for me - the entire site is. I've gained a lot of insight from others involved with rescue through the forum discussions - most useful to me have been grant opportunities and how to draft volunteers and keep them engaged. I have also gained a lot of useful information from the weekly videos - how to think outside the box and reminders to look at things from others' perspectives. Thank you for providing such important resources.

------------------------------
Gigi Zoltek

I just participated in the instructor lead Feline Lifesaving Course and absolutely loved it. I feel so inspired by all I learned and it definitely helped me with my career at the animal rescue. Thank you for offering such amazing courses that help me learn so much and connect me to such amazing people in the rescue world.

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

I am incredibly grateful for the invaluable support provided by Maddie's University. Their extensive range of free courses has been a tremendous asset to both me and the organization I volunteer with, Aiding 2 Adoption Rescue. Through these courses, I have gained knowledge in various aspects of the rescue world, including dog behavior, foster volunteer organization, and neonatal kitten care, among many others. Thank you, Maddie's University, for equipping me with the tools to make a difference!

------------------------------
Sabrina Hill
Aide 2 Adoption Rescue
------------------------------

I am specifically thankful for the online instructor-led course for Humane Education:  Tools and Techniques to Expand Your Reach. As I plan and prepare to try to start our Humane Education program back here at the Greenville Humane Society, I realized that I needed a fresh perspective. This course gave plenty of helpful information and resources that I can use! Each instructor for this course covered a different topic or tool, and I was really impressed and appreciative of the hard work that went into it!

------------------------------
Mishelle Gray
Volunteer Manager
Greenville Humane Society
SC
------------------------------

I'm new to the forum, but I've already been inspired by a couple of thought-provoking posts, such as one about mental health resources/coping tips for volunteers and another about how-to guides for foster volunteers. Both brought up issues/concerns that I hadn't thought of before, and both got me thinking of ways I could incorporate the ideas they generated into the organization I volunteer for. No doubt the more time I spend on the forum, the more I'll continue to be exposed to valuable ideas. This is the internet at its best!

------------------------------
Stef Mates
Seminole County TNVR
------------------------------

I've found the forum very helpful. Sometimes there are questions I have or I want to redo an existing program and I know I can check the forum to get great ideas/questions answered. I've been slowly working my way through various webinars offered through Maddie's as well and those have been super helpful as well as a great resource to share with my staff. 

------------------------------
Jodie Hearlson
Wellington Humane Society
------------------------------

I am so thankful for the Code Enforcement Officer Safety Foundation. They are providing a self-paced extremely low cost safety training course to code officials, and animal service providers. They then have turned around and taken the money they raise from those trainings  and provide ballistic vests to providers in the field that can not afford a vest. Providers who are walking into dangerous environments without backup and yet are being asked to stand up against people who are willing to hurt and even kill the providers who are there to help animals. They have become huge supporter of us frontline workers that too often go unnoticed by the public.  https://www.codeofficersafety.org/

------------------------------
Jeanette Loven
Senior Code Enforcement/Animal Control Officer/FTO
Telluride Marshals Office
CO
------------------------------

I recently started this position, which was added onto my Code Enforcement position. Without a police department, as we are very rural and have no immediate access to veterinary care (20 miles away), the role is one that I have to almost "re-invent" within our Village. It isn't easy to do as I have to compile information from different towns and cities in our state, in order to see what works best for our situation.  To help compile this information, I had found Maddie's University by accident! I am so lucky to have found this website! It is a plethora of information and everyone here is happy to help with their experiences and their own knowledge! I cannot name just "one thing", because it would be doing a disservice to the entire Maddie's website and it's community! 
Thank you all for doing your part !

------------------------------
Kyla Cotant
Code Enforcement Officer
Village of Hemingford
NE
------------------------------

I recently participated in the Maddie's U Feline Lifesaving Course with Monica. WOW - was it amazing! I not only work for a national shelter but also volunteer for a small  local grassroots cat rescue and EVERYTHING I learned benefits both of my roles. From learning about working cats, various diseases, marketing, working with the public - ALL TOWARDS THE GOAL TO GET ANIMALS ADOPTED - regardless of if they are healthy or need special acoomodations!

Thank you SO much. I highly recommend the course.

------------------------------
Franny Kent
Director of Volunteers
Bideawee
NY
------------------------------

All the free courses are such a great resource for those shelters that have a limited professional development. Thank you for offering those to us on an ongoing basis!

------------------------------
Ashley Mikulsky
ANIMAL RESCUE LEAGUE OF BERKS COUNTY, INC.
------------------------------

As the founder of Daisy's Legacy, a nonprofit dedicated to pet health and welfare, I've gained so much from the Weekly Community Conversations at Maddie's Fund. The knowledge and support shared have been invaluable as we work to make a difference for pets and their families. Thank you, Maddie's Fund, for 30 years of building such a wonderful resource for the animal welfare community! 🧡

Krasi Mircheva

Daisy's Legacy

------------------------------
Krasi Mircheva
President
Daisy's Legacy
VA
------------------------------

I have found the foster packets, and foster data and information, incredibly helpful in growing and informing our foster program. Having foster and adoption packets to look at has saved me so much time and helped us make new, cohesive, foster packets. 

------------------------------
Tina Casebeer
Marketing Manager
Haven Humane Society
CA
------------------------------

As a new professional in the animal welfare community, I've found the resources available through Maddie's Fund to be invaluable. Today's Community Conversation on grant writing was particularly helpful, as that is my role in my organization. I can't wait to spend each Monday with y'all!

------------------------------
Kris Holland
Grant Writer
IndyHumane
IN
------------------------------

I recently participated in the instructor led course Fostering4RockStars and it was amazing! Kristi Brooks did such a great job keeping class fun and engaging. There were so many aspects of the class that I loved, but there was a socialization video that Kristi had put together that was just amazing! Our shelter has always done the "forced love" on under-socialized kittens and so her video was really eye opening. There are so many less stressful ways to get kittens to become more trusting! I immediately shared the video with all of my fosters. I hope to create a whole training class using the video as inspiration. 

------------------------------
Erin Robinson
Foster Coordinator
Licking County Humane Society
OH
------------------------------

I am extremely appreciative for all the resources on Maddie's Pet Forum. The first thing to mention is that the discussion board is a great resource, because there are many times when I have questions about rescue and this forum offers  a quick way to get in contact with other members of the rescue community who can help find answers. I also love the Kitten Season resources. When kitten season hits there is always something new that pops up and things are moving at such a fast pace. It is so helpful to have access to reading material and webinars. I think that information about Panleukopenia is extremely helpful so that our rescue can stay up to date on new protocol's and  following the recommended cleaning approaches. I have also gone back and reviewed the feeding schedules for neonates and provided these resources for others who are bottle feeding kittens. Our rescue is also involved in TNR and I must say Stacy Lebron is so helpful! I found her through an online post and have seen her resources in the library!  

------------------------------
Kendall hotmer
Founder
Appalachian Feline Foster Network
OH
------------------------------

Our shelter is the only open admission shelter in a midsized community with very few other animal welfare resources.  There are other shelters in towns and cities an hour (ish) away and some people commute but we tend to hire people who like animals but don't have animal sheltering or animal welfare experience.  The learning curve for new hires is significant.  One of the ways we are addressing that is  creating a standard onboarding template for all departments that are primary animal contact with department specific specialized training.  We are still polishing the time table and accountability but one of the common items for all is creation of a Maddies University account and then taking tailored course.  For example Adoptions Staff take the Adoption Counseling course  in weeks 2 and 3 after the basic onboarding and orientation in the first week.  All public facing staff watch Crazy Awesome Customer Service for Animal People from the 2018 conference (which I would love to see a refresh on, and maybe a specialized sub-topic for Animal Control/Admissions staff which tend to be faced with more challenging and angry people).

------------------------------
Dylan Moore
------------------------------

I cannot say enough about Maddie's Fund and ALL of the resources that this organization offers.  I am a co-founder of Spayed and Aid of KY.  Our group was started in January 2024 (only this year) and has relied heavily on the training, the forums, the community forms and resources available through the organization.  The other co-founder and I have full time jobs and started this organization in our "spare time".   Our non-profit is twofold -- a free pet food pantry and free spay/neuter services for those who are experiencing financial hardship.  We have been relying heavily on the resources available here (both paper and people) since Day #1 since we do not have any resources of our own to turn to as volunteers starting from scratch.  My first interaction was with the Community Resources Manager at San Diego Humane Society about processes to put in place for our pet food pantry.  This kind individual shared resources with me and even had his staff person talk to me over the phone with advice.  I would not have met this individual if not for Maddie's Fund Forum. And I can most definitely say he inspired me with thoughts of where we can take our organization.  Next we had the opportunity to participate in the Open Arms Challenge.  We filled out the application form to participate in the activity but never in a million years thought we would be chosen to join the competition since we were so new -- only 3 months into the start of our organization.  The Open Arms Challenge was pivotal to the success of our organization.  Definitely pivotal.  The challenge laid out for us thoughts and ideas that had not even entered our minds.  It caused us to move up our activities and reach out into the community months before we had planned to.  But - in doing so - we met an enormous amount of people and organizations that have been helpful to us in our growth and also in development of a network of non-profit staff who we have come to rely on for local issues.   Then the Kentucky Chapter of the Humane Society of the US heard about our involvement in the Challenge (through local media and our FB page) and we received the opportunity to partner with them and Chewy to receive a truckload of pet beds for distribution to our local community.  

https://www.facebook.com/share/r/9pH4shvvi44ranrF/

https://www.facebook.com/share/r/MdQpJiKGufdRe1xm/

https://www.facebook.com/share/r/R7o45FWH9PXUwvo6/

Because of all our efforts during the Open Arms Challenge in April, we had the names of contacts of several organizations and people in town who we were able to reach out to and get help to unload and distribute this truck. (See previous note about related organizations.)  With all the outreach we did during the Challenge we had over 40 volunteers show up to help us with this effort.  As I think back about this, this would have been ABSOLUTELY IMPOSSIBLE if we had not done all the things we did during the Open Arms Challenge and expanded out outreach to everyone in our community.  It was heartwarming --- and a big "AH HA MOMENT".   We would have never done any of it had we not been in the program.  We continue to participate in Maddie's Fund programming as we are able and definitely try to contribute our resources, so others do not have to re-invent the wheel.   Another resource we took advantage of was the racial equity program (forgive me but I can't remember the full name of it).  This was extremely eye-opening for me personally since as noted above we live in a very small rural town which is anything but diverse.  We made small changes to our website and other marketing as a result of the course and we hope to become more inclusive as we begin to grow in 2025.    It's been a rollercoaster of a ride - and one that we could not have foreseen in January.  As of October 31, our group has fed more than 3,000 animals and spay/neutered more than 100 cats/dogs in our small rural county with a population of 23,000.    https://spayedandaid.org 

------------------------------
Karen Kirsch
Founder
Spayed and Aid
KY
------------------------------

#ThankstoMaddie - The Community Conversations are always great, but there's two from this past year that I think about a lot, and that shape the work I do daily. Those two are:

• Building Community Trust at No-Cost
• Shaping the Future of Vet Care (VetRedi)

My role at the shelter is to coordinate resources for people who are struggling to care for their pets, but being able to help people depends greatly on our ability to set aside judgment, bias (and to be aware of our bias!), and to truly do the work to understand where people are, where they are coming from, and how that shapes their approach (and concerns) to pet care. I've taken these learnings and shared them with other shelters, too. So many shelters don't have physical and financial resources to help pet owners in need, but something EVERYONE can do for free that greatly impacts our ability to help pets, is to better understand the people who love them, and build a foundation of trust.

------------------------------
Alicia Curley
Program Coordinator
Humane Society of Huron Valley
MI
------------------------------

After attending "Beyond Spay/Neuter: Models for Expanding Access to Veterinary Care" offered through Maddie's University it became clear I was seeing some of the barriers mentioned by the presenters when organizing Spay/Neuter events in Puerto Rico.  The counter effect for scarcity chart gave me more insight on how to overcome the transportation barriers. Early on I understood it was the main reason for low attendance of the communities living in poverty in rural areas with no access to veterinary care. They also experience overwhelming overpopulation of community cats. 

As of today, I partnered with another non-profit locally, to do weekly "Spay/Neuter and Vaccines" events targeted to low income people . By combining resources we are able to add distemper and rabies vaccines during spay/neuter at reduced costs. We want to add some basic extra services like flea/tick preventatives.  The participants will receive a free dose of preventatives.  In addition, once funding is available, I would like to provide free transport to the Spay/Neuter clinic for communities that are not participating due to the barrier.

------------------------------
Wendy Montanez-Ortiz
Director
none
MA
------------------------------

Where to start?! Maddie's University and Maddie's Pet Forum have become my go to whenever I encounter something in the shelter that I either don't have an answer for, or that I want to learn more about.

The On-Demand webinar "Moving Trough Adversity" really came in handy a couple months ago when we had to let a staff member go, and she took to social media to defame me personally. As did both parts of Compassionate Lifesaving: Taking Care of You and Your Team. I don't think I would still be in this industry if it weren't for those courses.

So thank you Linda Harper, Faith Maloney, Paula Powell, and Kristen Hassen-Auerbach!

------------------------------
Zoe Johnson
Operations Manager
Pope County Humane Society
MN
------------------------------

Hi Zoe,

I can only imagine how tough that was for you. You are so kind to tell us that those on-demand recordings made a difference!  We will be sure to let Linda , Faith, Paula and Kristen know. 

And thank you for all you do for your community and their pets! 

------------------------------
Alison Gibson
Media Projects Manager
Maddie's Fund
------------------------------

Original Message:
Sent: 11-08-2024 09:32 PM
From: Zoe Johnson
Subject: November 2024 Giveaway: Thankful for Resources & Community!

Where to start?! Maddie's University and Maddie's Pet Forum have become my go to whenever I encounter something in the shelter that I either don't have an answer for, or that I want to learn more about.

The On-Demand webinar "Moving Trough Adversity" really came in handy a couple months ago when we had to let a staff member go, and she took to social media to defame me personally. As did both parts of Compassionate Lifesaving: Taking Care of You and Your Team. I don't think I would still be in this industry if it weren't for those courses.

So thank you Linda Harper, Faith Maloney, Paula Powell, and Kristen Hassen-Auerbach!

------------------------------
Zoe Johnson
Operations Manager
Pope County Humane Society
MN
------------------------------

I'm pretty new to Maddies Fund. I would have to say the recent Grants webinar has been something I appreciated.  I'm starting to learn grant processes, which helped me along the way. I hope to see more Webinars like this that will go into more depth

------------------------------
Cindi Ashbeck
Volunteer
Lakeshore Humane Society
WI
------------------------------

Original Message:
Sent: 11-11-2024 08:12 AM
From: Alison Gibson
Subject: November 2024 Giveaway: Thankful for Resources & Community!

Hi Zoe,

I can only imagine how tough that was for you. You are so kind to tell us that those on-demand recordings made a difference!  We will be sure to let Linda , Faith, Paula and Kristen know. 

And thank you for all you do for your community and their pets! 

------------------------------
Alison Gibson
Media Projects Manager
Maddie's Fund
------------------------------


Original Message:
Sent: 11-08-2024 09:32 PM
From: Zoe Johnson
Subject: November 2024 Giveaway: Thankful for Resources & Community!

Where to start?! Maddie's University and Maddie's Pet Forum have become my go to whenever I encounter something in the shelter that I either don't have an answer for, or that I want to learn more about.

The On-Demand webinar "Moving Trough Adversity" really came in handy a couple months ago when we had to let a staff member go, and she took to social media to defame me personally. As did both parts of Compassionate Lifesaving: Taking Care of You and Your Team. I don't think I would still be in this industry if it weren't for those courses.

So thank you Linda Harper, Faith Maloney, Paula Powell, and Kristen Hassen-Auerbach!

------------------------------
Zoe Johnson
Operations Manager
Pope County Humane Society
MN

Recently, I had the opportunity to start a discussion on the legal status of pets, including service dogs. This topic is particularly important to me as I continue to advocate for changes in the way pets are recognized under the law. The Forum, specifically discussion posts, has proven to be a very helpful resource in this effort, providing valuable insights and support as I work to bring awareness to this issue.

Best Regards,

Miroslava Mircheva, Director 

Daisy's Legacy 

------------------------------
Miroslava Mircheva
Director
Daisy's Legacy
VA
------------------------------

I appreciated the webinar on how to market older or difficult pets.  We've been having trouble finding homes for the mama cats that we take in after they have their babies.  If anyone lives in Northern Illinois and has room to take some 2 year old cats, let me know!  #Maddie'sFund30Years

------------------------------
Jori Waldron
Volunteer
Feral Feline Project
IL
------------------------------

I joined Maddies pet forum recently. I enjoy going through the library and finding a massive amount of ideas and information. I used an idea from the fundraisers to have an "election " of cats or dogs for election day where each dollar donated was a vote. The dogs won the popular vote (most dollars) and the cats won the electoral vote (bigger amounts donated by indviduals). Just something fun and easy to do to raise some money. 

------------------------------
Renae Burns
Volunteer
------------------------------

By far, Greater Good Charities has been our best resource overall. With more than 50 dogs in shelter and a high poverty community base, if we were not receiving food for just the shipping cost of .15 cents per lb. We would not be able to feed our dogs in shelter and the community cats and dogs in need the more than 2000lbs of food per month needed. 

------------------------------
Joanna [Tedder]
[CEO]
[Dysfunction Junction Rescue, Inc. ]
[Jeffersonville] [GA]
[www.dysfunctionjunctionranchga.com]
------------------------------

This is amazing, how would organizations be able to sign-up for something like this if shelters are struggling nation-wide? I'd love to share resources with our shelter!

------------------------------
Yaned Rodriguez
Volunteer Coordinator
Wenatchee Valley Humane Society
WA
------------------------------

Original Message:
Sent: 11-17-2024 10:44 PM
From: Joanna Tedder
Subject: November 2024 Giveaway: Thankful for Resources & Community!

By far, Greater Good Charities has been our best resource overall. With more than 50 dogs in shelter and a high poverty community base, if we were not receiving food for just the shipping cost of .15 cents per lb. We would not be able to feed our dogs in shelter and the community cats and dogs in need the more than 2000lbs of food per month needed. 

------------------------------
Joanna [Tedder]
[CEO]
[Dysfunction Junction Rescue, Inc. ]
[Jeffersonville] [GA]
[www.dysfunctionjunctionranchga.com]
------------------------------

Maddie's pet forum has been a wonderful resource for our animal sanctuary. I have found so many great ideas for fundraisers and grants, ideas to help us update and make our adoption & volunteer forms better and a place to share our ideas and concerns with like minded people and hopefully share our experiences too. The first thing I do every morning, since becoming a member, is to check my "personal digest" email to see what's new. It's a great way to start my day on a positive note. 

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

My rescue is mostly kitten based, with occasional adult cats, dogs and puppies.  My go-to resource is the American Pets Alive Medication Chart -

American Pets Alive! | Austin Pets Alive! Cat Medication Chart

So helpful!

------------------------------
Jamie Gothro
Secretary, Medical Director
Today Tomorrow Forever Animal Rescue
Escondido CA
------------------------------

The forum is so useful for Assisi Animal Foundation. Hearing and reading about all the topics and discussions about animal welfare significantly helps and improve our mission as we are in a rural part of Crystal Lake, IL where resources and volunteer community support can be scare! Thank you for all that you do Maddie's Fund! 

------------------------------
Ryan Stass
Marketing Director
Assisi Animal Foundation
IL
------------------------------

Hi Ryan,

Had to mention lest it be overlooked but 2025 is the 800th Anniversary of StFrancis' Canticle of the Creatures. We are hoping to see some form of celebration/acknowledgement in Assisi next year...(2026 would be the 800th anniversary of StF's death).

------------------------------
Lars Pardo
volunteer
Paw in Tau Foundation
WA
------------------------------

Original Message:
Sent: 11-18-2024 12:19 PM
From: Ryan Stass
Subject: November 2024 Giveaway: Thankful for Resources & Community!

The forum is so useful for Assisi Animal Foundation. Hearing and reading about all the topics and discussions about animal welfare significantly helps and improve our mission as we are in a rural part of Crystal Lake, IL where resources and volunteer community support can be scare! Thank you for all that you do Maddie's Fund! 

------------------------------
Ryan Stass
Marketing Director
Assisi Animal Foundation
IL
------------------------------

we are finishing up a course to help volunteer managers update and improve their programs...we have a survey for volunteer and foster managers to help us finalize the selections...so we'd love if you would fill it out here: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSeHD1XKtTHOSGRSuCUHA__6SpFVIqcKNltWhK4fkCHYTkPfQQ/viewform

thanks everyone for all you do :)

------------------------------
Jme thomas
Motley Zoo Animal Rescue
WA
------------------------------

I'm so happy you had such a great presentation on writing grants! I'm just getting started with grant writing and I found it extremely helpful! Took lots of notes throughout the video, I have a lot to learn, but hope to help my organization get the funds they need to help their rescues! Thank you very much, timing was great!!!

------------------------------
julie shaw
volunteer
badass bulldog rescue
OH
------------------------------

Dating myself here but #thankstomaddies for their early celebration and transformative investments in creating lifesaving communities and their educational resources on marketing and promotions for animal shelters. Over the years, I've shared marketing presentations, like to one from Bonney Brown, with organizations to help them realize the potential of marketing shelter pets. 

And more recently the funding of the Pets and People photo library for Hearts Speak, the only collection of animal welfare/sheltering images that reflect the diverse communities we serve. If you are not using this free resource, check it out. 

-----

------------------------------
Lisa Lane Cardin
Board Member
Wenatchee Humane Society
WA
------------------------------

------------------------------
Christina Byrd
TNR Lead
Columbia 2nd Chance
MO
------------------------------

All of the discussions here at Maddie's have been super impactful.  If I have to pick one, I would say the recent presentation on grant writing.  I have just recently started writing grants in the year, and the advise shared during this presentation was excellent!  We have already discussed at our rescue the importance of having an annual report and also making it available on our website and have committed to doing so for 2025!  Thank you for creating this space for all of us to learn so much.

------------------------------
Erica Grant
Board Member and Volunteer
Runways Animal Rescue
FL
------------------------------

The bottle feeding newborn kittens course is absolutely wonderful! As a new rescue, I still find it difficult at times to determine the age of kittens and there was lots of information that helped clear some confusion up for me. I was never taught how to bottle feed, just things I picked up and read from various different sources. Having one place where I can learn new information and be reassured about the things I was already doing is very helpful. 

------------------------------
Adia Alvarez
CEO
Press Paws Sanctuary INC
CA
------------------------------

Maddie's is a resource I use quite frequently. I have been expanding our grant applications and well as fundraising efforts pretty significantly over the past year and I have gotten many ideas from different threads and forums. For fundraising, it has been nice to learn about what people have tried and what has worked or not worked. We are a small humane society in rural MN and I just love to have this whole community as a resource when we try to expand program such as our foster program, try new fundraisers, or take the Maddie's University courses. Thanks for all that you do to help us!

------------------------------
Shauney Gloege
President, Board of Directors
Pope County Humane Society
MN
------------------------------

I'm grateful for the Urgent Care relief grants from RedRover, out oldest cat who we rescued from a dairy farm was having some teeth issues that were severely impacting her ability to eat.

RedRover helped pay for her vet bill when we were struggling with getting enough funding because we also had to pay for a nail trim for our cockatoo as well.

Waffles had a major deep cleaning and one bad tooth pulled from her mouth. She's doing so much better now, I wouldn't have been able to get her that help as quickly as I did if RedRover didn't help.

------------------------------
Tabby Dimock
Founder
Demons Saving Animals
MI
------------------------------

I have really enjoyed the weekly communications, monthly behavior sessions, and the webinars about recognizing and working with FAS in the animals we work with. I LOVE being able to have access to free content to help further my education, and having access to forums where we can bounce ideas and information off of each other!

------------------------------
Taran McLain
Humane Officer
Sioux Falls Area Humane Society
SD
------------------------------

Hello!

The discussion thread regarding Behavioral Assessments and Training for long term stay dogs in shelters to increase their adoptability had a significant impact on me. As I replied to the thread I am an Animal Cruelty Investigator in my County and we recently adopted a dog from the Dog Pound. Had the Dog Pound had the resources to assess behavioral concerns could have been identified and if we were able to have resources such as a local trainer willing to work with the dog difficult to adopt dogs maybe drastically reduced. In our case the dog we adopted had been physically abused and she was ferral. She has been able to identify who her family is, but she has bit my son-in-law and my best friend. We are unable to afford the $3000 that has been estimated to send her to boarding training so we are trying to handle things ourselves. This has been a very difficult situation, but we do not want to give up on her....she deserves a forever home!

Thank you,

Teresa Swisher, Animal Cruelty Investigator

Carroll County Humane Society

Carrollton, Ohio

teresaswisherwv@gmail.com

------------------------------
Teresa Swisher
Animal Cruelty Investigator
Humana
OH
------------------------------

Thank you so much to everyone who participated in the November giveaway and for sharing your favorite resources! 🎉 It's incredible to see how these conversations, courses, tools and tips are helping organizations across the country keep more people and pets together. It also means the world to our team, guest speakers, presenters, and instructors to know their work is making a real difference. Every time you share your experiences or a go-to resource, it sparks new ideas and keeps this community thriving. 

We're excited to announce the November giveaway winner is @Alicia Curley, Program Coordinator at the Humane Society of Huron Valley in Ann Arbor, Michigan! Please be on the lookout for an email from us with information on how to redeem your $1,000 Cuddly prize pack.

Our December giveaway thread is now available for another chance to enter to win the next Cuddly prize pack worth $1,000 in supplies! To enter to win the December giveaway, head to the new discussion thread and tell us about a change your organization has made to remove a barrier and how has it helped pets find homes or receive care: https://maddies.fund/30YearsGiveawayDecember2024

Thanks again for all you do for people and pets and for continuing to celebrate 30 Years of Maddie's Fund with us! 🐾

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

I'm speechless! Thank you so much! This is going to go a long way to help  our shelter animals, and pets and pet owners in need! What an amazing way to start off this Giving Tuesday! Thank you, thank you!!! 

------------------------------
Alicia Curley
Program Coordinator
Humane Society of Huron Valley
MI
------------------------------

Original Message:
Sent: 12-02-2024 01:54 PM
From: Maddie's Pet Forum Admin
Subject: November 2024 Giveaway: Thankful for Resources & Community!

Thank you so much to everyone who participated in the November giveaway and for sharing your favorite resources! 🎉 It's incredible to see how these conversations, courses, tools and tips are helping organizations across the country keep more people and pets together. It also means the world to our team, guest speakers, presenters, and instructors to know their work is making a real difference. Every time you share your experiences or a go-to resource, it sparks new ideas and keeps this community thriving. 

We're excited to announce the November giveaway winner is @Alicia Curley, Program Coordinator at the Humane Society of Huron Valley in Ann Arbor, Michigan! Please be on the lookout for an email from us with information on how to redeem your $1,000 Cuddly prize pack.

Our December giveaway thread is now available for another chance to enter to win the next Cuddly prize pack worth $1,000 in supplies! To enter to win the December giveaway, head to the new discussion thread and tell us about a change your organization has made to remove a barrier and how has it helped pets find homes or receive care: https://maddies.fund/30YearsGiveawayDecember2024

Thanks again for all you do for people and pets and for continuing to celebrate 30 Years of Maddie's Fund with us! 🐾

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