The Million Cat Challenge launched in 2014 as a shelter-based campaign to save the lives of one million cats in North America over five years. When the more than 1,000 participating animal shelters across North America reached and exceeded that goal a full year early, an even bolder goal was conceived: #allthecats.
The Million Cat Challenge uses five key initiatives as the core of their program. These five initiatives to save cats’ lives were pioneered by shelters across North America. They offer choices for shelters of every size and type to balance intake, humane capacity within the shelter, and live release. These are Alternatives to Intake, Managed Admission, Capacity for Care, Removing Barriers to Adoption, and Return to Field.
The Best Friends Network is composed of thousands of public and private shelters, rescue groups, spay/neuter organizations and other animal welfare organizations in all 50 states. We are a coalition committed to saving the lives of homeless cats and dogs through collaboration, information-sharing and implementation of proven lifesaving strategies. Our partners support each other and inspire their own communities to increase lifesaving of dogs and cats across the country.
Shelter Pet Data Alliance (SPDA) is a platform designed specifically for shelters and rescues, allowing them to easily navigate through their intakes and outcomes, see local and national trends, and leverage free data analysis in their daily decision-making to save more lives.
A variety of attempts were made over the past few decades to create a platform for shelter data reporting – from Asilomar Accords and Live Release Rates, to Naked Data – much has been learned. There was strong desire to come together as an industry and create a standardized database system to collect baseline information nationally.
In late 2011, a cross-section of animal welfare agencies banded together to create and share The National Database that would enable the measurement of progress in animal welfare, inspire life-saving collaboration and have a positive impact over pet homelessness.
This steering committee outlined a vision and in the Fall of 2012, adopted a formal governing Board of Directors and incorporated Shelter Animals Count, a neutral, independent non-profit created to share and steward The National Database of sheltered animals that provides facts and enables insights to save lives.
Maddie's Fund offers the industry a national voice, important funding opportunities, learning resources and easy access to network, connect, and share ideas to keep people and pets together.
Maddie's University is an online learning university for all things animal welfare. They provide critical, innovative trainings for people working and volunteering in the animal welfare industry. Our team utilizes the Maddie's University trainings for on-going learning and certifications to stay as progressive as we can in our polices and procedures.
The National Animal Care & Control Association (NACA) was formed in 1978 to provide resources, standardized training, and support for animal care and control professionals across the United States. Throughout the organization’s history, NACA has been a leader in providing guidance for its members as the role of animal shelters and animal care and control staff has evolved.