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Local foundation holds Adoptathon to help pair pets, potential pet owners

Dennis Evanosky

Above, right, Tom Hyland, a recent adopter of Max, is considering adopting "Maggie" as a mate for his beloved companion.

Last weekend, Maddie's Fund, whose office is located in Alameda, held a "Matchmaker Adoptathon." The fund donated $500 for every animal adopted at the Alameda Animal Shelter and other shelters and rescue groups in Alameda and Contra Costa counties. In return, the shelters and rescue groups waived adoption fees for new pet owners, making adoptions free all weekend.

The Adoptathon was held to honor the memory of the foundation's namesake, a miniature schnauzer named Maddie; to increase awareness of shelter animals and their need for loving homes; and to shed light on the efforts of the shelters and supporting organizations that work so hard to save the lives of countless dogs and cats.

The fund's founder, Dave Duffield, who owned Maddie with his wife, Cheryl, said that the weekend was an investment in the work animal shelters and supporting organizations are doing. "We hope that the Adoptathon will provide visibility for this very important cause," he said.

Rich Avanzino, Maddie's Fund president, said that he expected to spend well over a half million dollars. "We think we had about 1,000-plus animals to save," he said.

Tom Hyland adopted "Maximilian de Alameda" from the Alameda Animal Shelter two and one-half years ago.

He visited the shelter last Saturday to possibly adopt a girl friend for Max. Shelter volunteer Melka Myers helped the process by introducing Max to one of the female dogs available at the shelter. If Max approves, Hyland will be adding a new dog to the family. He plans to name her "Maggie." Max promises to make a decision soon.

The event was held in conjunction with Maddie's Fund, which has donated $71.6 million for the purpose of helping dogs and cats in animal shelters.

The organization was founded in 1999 by Dave and Cheryl Duffield in the name of their dog Maddie, who had passed away two years before. Find out more at www.arf.net.