Maddie’s Fund’s Legacy at Oakland Animal Services
At Oakland Animal Services (OAS), an army of volunteers and staff is gearing up for this weekend’s Maddie’s Matchmaker Adoptathon, the biggest adoption event of the year. Hundreds of shelter animals finding loving homes is the highlight of the adoptathon, but the impact of this one weekend lasts all year at OAS, where the funds raised during the event are critical to sustaining shelter operations.
During Maddie’s Matchmaker Adoptathon, Maddie’s Fund covers adoption fees to qualified adopters and donates $500 to $2,000 per adoption to the shelter, with greater incentives for senior and/or injured animals. In 2011, OAS adopted out 166 animals and received $99,000 in donations from Maddie’s Fund.
These donations have not only been used to help care for over 7,000 animals a year at OAS, but also to implement critical quality-of-life improvement projects for the shelter. Donations from Maddie’s Fund and Friends of Oakland Animal Services, a nonprofit organization dedicated to supporting the shelter, have made possible a large number of important projects, including:
1) Moving our laundry room to a much larger space and conversion to industrial-strength machines instead of residential ones! Now our animals can have lots of nice, clean, warm bedding:
2) The conversion of the former euthanasia room into a spay/neuter clinic
3) Expansion of cat cages
4) Creation of our neonatal kitten room
5) Support of our incredible volunteer program
6) Care of injured and sick animals from animal abuse and neglect cases
7) Equipment for investigating animal abuse and neglect.
“Maddie’s Fund provides crucial funding that keeps us going throughout the year,” said Megan Webb, OAS director. “We are so grateful to Maddie’s Fund for holding the annual Maddie’s Matchmaker Adoptathon and for supporting animal rescue organizations throughout the Bay Area.”
To join the fun, visit Oakland Animal Services this weekend during its extended hours: Saturday, June 9, 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. and Sunday, June 10, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
