Maddie's Funds grants $ 3.9 million for animal welfare in Austin,Texas

Austin, Texas looks like a place where people really care about their animals. Recently, Maddie's - a large, animal welfare NGO has granted $ 4, 30 000 for the first year of a project to end the killing of healthy dogs and cats in Austin and Travis County in Texas within the coming five years. With a total of $ 3.9 million dollars to be spent in supporting the project in the coming five years, it is sure to be a successful venture. Involved in this project are no-kill Humane Society of Austin, Town Lake Animal Center, and four private veterinary hospitals.

Some of the goals that the project plans to achieve include increasing the number of adoptions to 876 and the number of spay/neuter surgeries by 4,380 in the first year of operation. It is hoped that the number of shelter deaths will be reduced to zero over a five year period. This project is an outgrowth of a campaign carried out by the animal welfare organisations in 1997 where in a resolution was passed by the Austin City Council to stop the killing of adoptable animals.

All those interested in knowing more about this project may write in or contact: Rich Avanzino, President, Maddie's Fund (510) 337-8980 or Karen Medicus Executive Director, Humane Society of Austin & Travis County (512) 837-7985. Maddie's Fund - 2223 Santa Clara Ave, #B Alameda, CA 94501, (510) 337-8989, http://www.maddiesfund.org