Pawmetto Lifeline wins national recognition from Miranda Lambert’s MuttNation Foundation
May 25, 2016
Pawmetto Lifeline has been recognized as a winner of the 2016 Mutts Across America: 50 States/50 Shelters award. Mutts Across America, an annual program which provides funds and support to animal shelters in every US state, was created by Grammy winning country singer-songwriter Miranda Lambert and her mother, Bev Lambert, as an initiative of their MuttNation Foundation. MuttNation Foundation, a donation-supported organization with the mission to end animal cruelty, neglect, and homelessness, was founded by the mother-daughter pair over 10 years ago.
A total of $253,660 was donated to shelters in each of the 50 states, with the minimum donation to an individual shelter being $3,000. “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,” said Miranda Lambert. “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.”
“We are honored to be selected for the work that we do every day to assist families and pets in crisis,” stated Denise Wilkinson, CEO of Pawmetto Lifeline. “There are so many pets in need, and last year alone, we served over 50,000 companion pets. This would not be possible without our supporters. We are truly honored to represent the state for the work we do each and every day to make a difference in the lives of so many companion pets.“
About Pawmetto Lifeline
Pawmetto Lifeline is a 501(c)3 not-for-profit animal rescue organization with a plan to end pet overpopulation in the Midlands through education, legislation, spay/neuter programs, and responsible pet adoptions. Pawmetto Lifeline’s long-term goal is to transform the Midlands into a no-kill community, meaning no healthy adoptable pet is euthanized simply because it is homeless. For more information, please visit www.pawmettolifeline.org.
