Muttnation and Miranda

Miranda MuttNation Foundation’s New “Mutts Across America” Initiative Grants More than a Quarter of a Million Dollars To 50 Shelters in 50 States Wednesday, January 22, 2014 Miranda's MuttNation Foundation is thrilled to announce their Mutts Across America: 50 States/50 Shelters initiative. A total of $253,660 was donated to shelters in each of the 50 states, with the minimum donation to an individual shelter being $3000. Miranda Lambert said, “We are thrilled to be able to reach out to every state and recognize shelters and organizations working at a grassroots level to help animals. It’s those people on the ground, day in and day out, who really make a huge difference.” The MuttNation Foundation board along with partners at the RACE (Ran's Animal Care Express) team worked diligently to find the most deserving shelters in each of the 50 states. Operating under the premise that fans, friends, colleagues and benefactors across the US have sown into MuttNation Foundation in the past year, they launched a plan to select a shelter in each of the 50 states to lend a financial hand. The criteria used in their decision to grant funds were: • High adoption per intake rate: At least 90% successful adoption rate. Low euthanasia rate (10%) • High volunteerism: People rarely jump on/stay on a sinking ship. • Are they fiscally responsible. (Low administrative/staff costs) • High activity/fundraising. Are they working hard to earn income? • Do they have a specialty - MNF selected a zoo, a horse sanctuary, disabled pet farm, and an elderly/senior pet sanctuary, a last chance rescue for animals from other shelters and a blind farm to name a few. • Do they work outside of the shelter to adopt out or minister to elderly, schools, etc.? Do they have a presence in the community? • Is the website up to date with activity? Do they send newsletters? Are they current? Do they appear to still have the “fire”? •Are they heavily advocating/helping in spay and neuter campaigns, clinics and activities? • Are the hours of operation conducive with adequate adoption times? EX: are they open on weekends, nights, and/or weekdays? How many hours? As explained by MNF co-founder Bev Lambert, “We believe these criteria enabled us to find those shelters standing as examples in the fight to end animal homelessness, abuse and neglect as well as those that encourage adoption, spay and neuter programs and avoid needless euthanasia. We are confident and proud to award funding to the shelters we selected so they may continue the efforts that they have exhibited in the fight.” A complete list of the shelters that received donations is available at www.muttnationfoundation.com Miranda’s love of animals led to the formation of MuttNation. The foundation has successfully raised money across the country in order to aid organizations, government institutions or entities that build animal shelters for better care, increased pet adoption and encouragement of responsible pet guardianship, rehabilitation of sick or unsocialized animals, spay/neuter programs, reduce/eliminate euthanasia of healthy animals, and train shelter dogs for purposes of therapy programs, assistance for wounded military personnel, and dogs-in-prisons programs. The mission of the organization is to end animal suffering and homelessness on every front. Donations can always be made at www.muttnationfoundation.com.