Maddie’s Million Pet Challenge receives $7.4 million grant

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After Maddie's Million Pet Challenge (MMPC) officially launched yesterday, it received a five-year $7.4 million grant from Maddie’s Fund, a national family foundation developed by Dave and Cheryl Duffield to improve pet well-being.

According to an organizational release, the collaboration is driven by the UC Davis Koret Shelter Medicine Program, Maddie’s Shelter Medicine Program at the University of Florida (UF), Open Door Veterinary Collective, and Team Shelter USA. MMPC will send experts to communities nationwide to offer shelters and veterinary practices advice on keeping family pets out of shelters. Additionally, they will educate clinics on incorporating a financially sustainable model to help eliminate cost as a barrier to veterinary care.

“Our goal is for every animal in every community to be assured what we call the Four Rights,” said Kate Hurley, DVM, MPVM, PhD, University of California (UC) Davis Koret Shelter Medicine Program director, in the release.

“That means providing every animal with the Right Care in the Right Place, at the Right Time, and with the Right Outcome. This is the new normal communities deserve, and we want to help them get and stay there," she added.

As families struggle to access veterinary care and there is a severe veterinary staffing shortage due to the COVID-19 pandemic, this program is especially crucial.

According to the release, MMPC was developed from the Million Cat Challenge, which focused on the “before, during, and after” for a cat at risk of shelter entry.

“The Million Cat Challenge, also funded by Maddie’s Fund, was wildly successful, ultimately more than tripling its goal of saving the lives of one million shelter cats and supporting the adoption of proven cat-friendly methods across more than 1,500 North American shelters,” said Julie Levy, DVM, PhD, DACVIM, DABVP, of the Maddie’s Shelter Medicine Program at UF.

“Now in that same spirit we’re inviting shelters and veterinary practices to join us in reimaging community-centered sheltering and care, reserving shelter care for animals with no other options,” she added.

Learn more or apply here.

Reference

Maddie’s® Million Pet Challenge awarded $7.4 million grant to keep pets and people together, thanks to Maddie. January 25, 2022. Accessed January 25, 2022.