More Than 2,200 Animals Found a Home Last Weekend

Record rainfall did not dampen the hearts of local pet lovers this weekend participating in the second annual  at more than 70 locations throughout Contra Costa and Alameda counties.

More than 2,200 pets found their “forever homes” during the two-day event that united 46 shelters and rescue organizations in a coordinated free adoption drive.

The event drew people from as far away as Sacramento and Monterey. It also inspired prospective adopters to line up at 4:30 a.m. atTony La Russa’s Animal Rescue Foundation in Walnut Creek — a full five hours before their doors opened. 

“The outpouring of support from the community was even larger than last year,” said Rich Avanzino, president of Maddie’s Fund, the local animal rescue foundation that spearheaded the effort and made the free adoptions possible.

Maddie’s Fund not only covered the adoption costs but added in additional financial incentives that will go directly to participating rescue organizations and shelters for each animal placed during the event.

According to the organization, “In total, Maddie’s Fund expects to give about $2 million to participating shelters for all the adoptions processed during this year’s Maddie’s Matchmaker Adopt-a-thon.”

Avanzino said they saw “a big increase in adopters” at this year’s event, and the event is achieving its additional goal of raising the public’s awareness of the efforts of local animal rescue organizations.

“This event is generating public interest in adopting from shelters and it’s evident that people are taking action – one pet at a time,” he said.

The Martinez Animal Shelter foster parents progam reported, “All three of our foster dogs were adopted this weekend, which now allows us to take a new dog and her four puppies which were set to be put to sleep on Tuesday.”

This year’s event also focused on placing older animals and those with treatable medical conditions, and was a clear success in that regard.

Organizers say that “about 30 percent of all their adoptions qualified as senior animals and/or treatable.”

The oldest animal that was adopted was a 17-year old blind and deaf dog, Heidi, from East Bay Animal Rescue and Refuge.

The dog had been brought by her previous owners to a local veterinarian to be euthanized. Despite being blind and deaf, the dog was in otherwise good health, and the veterinarian convinced the owners to allow them to try and find her another home.

Heidi went home this weekend with a hospice nurse who “promises to fill the rest of her life with love and comfort.”

Maddie’s Fund was founded by Danville residents, Dave and Cheryl Duffield, in honor of their beloved miniature schnauzer, Maddie, who passed away in 1997.

Dave Duffield said he and his family spent the rainy weekend visiting several adoption locations.

“The joy we saw in the animals, as well as the volunteers and the adopters, is the reason we created Maddie’s Fund,” he said. “Maddie gave us so much happiness, and we congratulate all of this weekend’s adopters and wish them a lifetime of love with their new companions.”

If you adopted a pet during this year's adopt-a-thon, please share a photo of your new family member by uploading a photo to this post, via the add photos option in the sidebar box.