Maddie’s® Shelter Embed Project in the Rio Grande Valley

On July 1, 2019, plans for a no-kill valley region became a substantial, long-term commitment: Best Friends Animal Society is investing at least $1M into saving cats and dogs in Hidalgo and Cameron Counties through the Maddie’s® Shelter Embed Project in the Rio Grande Valley over the next 18 months! #ThanksToMaddie

Best Friends staff members have been working on-site at Palm Valley Animal Center (PVAC) and The Laurie P Andrews PAWS Center (PAWS) since August 2018 in response to our request for help in reaching a 90% live-release rate, and with their support we’ve seen this rate increase by more than 30%. More recently The Humane Society of Harlingen (HSH) welcomed a new Operations Manager via Maddie’s® and Best Friends, as well.

The Maddie’s® Shelter Embed Project will provide funding for much-needed supplies, equipment, and resources, as well as to cover the salaries of every embedded Best Friends’ staff member in Edinburg and Harlingen, with no cost to PVAC, PAWS, or HSH.

PVAC/PAWS is hiring staff to supplement our development & communications department, and the PVAC Board is creating a financial plan that will enable us to sustain our operations and lifesaving goals when our partners depart at the end of the project.

We are committed to leading the way toward a no-kill Rio Grande Valley, and with the help of our partners and the communities we serve we’re confident that together we’ll see the day when every dog and cat that can be saved, is saved.

Thank you for your support!

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About Maddie’s Fund:

Maddie's Fund® is a family foundation created in 1994 by Workday® co-founder Dave Duffield and his wife, Cheryl, who have endowed the Foundation with more than $300 million. Since then, the Foundation has awarded more than $237.6 million in grants toward increased community lifesaving, shelter management leadership, shelter medicine education and foster care across the U.S. The Duffields named Maddie's Fund after their Miniature Schnauzer Maddie, who always made them laugh and gave them much joy. Maddie was with Dave and Cheryl for ten years and continues to inspire them today.

Maddie's Fund is the fulfillment of a promise to an inspirational dog, investing its resources to create a no-kill nation where every dog and cat is guaranteed a healthy home or habitat. #ThanksToMaddie.

Maddie's Fund is a 501c3 organization, EIN 94-3362163. For more information, visit maddiesfund.org.

About Best Friends Animal Society:

Best Friends Animal Society is a leading national animal welfare organization dedicated to ending the killing of dogs and cats in America's shelters. In addition to running lifesaving programs in partnership with more than 2,600 animal welfare groups across the country, Best Friends has regional centers in New York City, Los Angeles, Atlanta and Salt Lake City, and operates the nation's largest no-kill sanctuary for companion animals. Founded in 1984, Best Friends is a pioneer in the no-kill movement and has helped reduce the number of animals killed in shelters nationwide from 17 million per year to about 800,000. That means there are still nearly 2,200 dogs and cats killed every day in shelters, just because they don’t have safe places to call home. We are determined to bring the country to no-kill by the year 2025. Working collaboratively with shelters, rescue groups, other organizations and you, we will end the killing and Save Them All. For more information, visit bestfriends.org.