The second annual Maddie’s® Matchmaker Adoptathon is being held on June 4th and 5th and aims to repeat last year’s goal of finding loving homes for every dog and cat in the shelters and rescue organizations throughout both Alameda and Contra Costa Counties. Maddie’s Fund® organized the largest collaboration of animal shelters in Alameda and Contra Costa Counties for a two-day record-breaking pet adoption event last year and saved the lives of nearly 2,000 dogs and cats. Maddie’s Fund has set aside $2 million for this year’s Adoptathon to cover this ambitious goal. This amount is double the nearly $1 million spent last year.

Adoptions will again be free for qualified adopters. In return, Maddie’s Fund will pay each shelter or rescue group $500 for every dog or cat adopted. To make sure no pet is left behind, $1000 will be given for every adoption of a senior or treatable pet and $1500 for every adoption of a senior pet with a medical condition*. “The success of last year’s Adoptathon exceeded our wildest expectations,” said Dave Duffield, Maddie’s Fund founder. “We received reports that people were lined up down the street, and parking lots were full, as thousands of wonderful people came out to save the lives of shelter animals. We are forever indebted to the many Bay Area residents that came together for this common cause, and look forward to an even more successful event this year.”

Maddie’s Fund has partnered with more than 40 animal shelters and rescue organizations in Contra Costa and Alameda Counties for this year’s Adoptathon. Free adoption of dogs and cats will be offered at more than 70 locations**. This year, the Stoneridge Shopping Center in Pleasanton, CA is working with Maddie’s Fund to host adoptions and to serve as command central for the Adoptathon. Other adoption locations include participating shelters and rescue organizations, PETCO, PetSmart and Pet Food Express, many of which have presence in Dublin, CA.

“The dedication of the animal shelter and rescue organizations was incredible last year,” said Rich Avanzino, Maddie’s Fund president. “Without their support and hard work, the Adoptathon would have never happened. As a result, Maddie’s Fund is doubling its monetary contribution to help empty those same shelters again. Our big initiative this year is to expand our lifesaving to include more senior and treatable dogs and cats.”

Maddie’s® Matchmaker Adoptathon is being held to increase awareness of shelter animals and their need for loving homes. This special adoption event aims to shed light on the tireless efforts of the shelters and rescue organizations in Alameda and Contra Costa Counties that work so hard to save the lives of countless dogs and cats. In addition, the adoption event honors the memory of the Foundation’s namesake, a miniature schnauzer named Maddie.

“During last year’s event, we set a personal record for our rescue organization. The number of cats we adopted during those two days was nearly double what we adopt in an entire month,” said Elaine Lyford-Nojima, Director, Maine Coon Adoptions cat rescue organization. “We are thrilled to be a part of the Adoptathon again this year, and can’t wait to adopt more of our terrific animals to loving families.”

Maddie’s Fund, The Pet Rescue Foundation, is a family foundation funded by Workday and PeopleSoft Founder Dave Duffield and his wife, Cheryl. Maddie’s Fund is helping to create a no-kill nation where all healthy and treatable shelter dogs and cats are guaranteed a loving home.

* Maddie’s Fund will pay organizations $500 per regular adoption, $1000 for each adoption involving a dog or cat who is 7 years of age or older or who is diagnosed with one or more treatable medical conditions and $1500 for each adoption involving a dog or cat who is 7 years of age or older and who is diagnosed with one or more treatable medical conditions. The full list of covered conditions will be provided upon request.

** For a complete list of locations, and to print a driving map, please visit www.maddiesadoptathon.org. In addition, you can also follow updates for Maddie’s® Matchmaker Adoptathon on Facebook and on Twitter.