March Muttness 2023: Which Shelter Will Take Home the Title?
As March rolls around, many sports fans turn their attention to the NCAA Men's Basketball Tournament, better known as "March Madness." But for animal lovers, there's another tournament that's just as exciting: March Muttness. This annual event, hosted by the Humane Society of Southern Arizona, raises awareness and funds for animal shelters across the country.
Last year's March Muttness featured 48 animal shelters from across the United States. These shelters were paired up in a bracket-style tournament, with each round representing a different donation level. The shelter that received the most donations in each match-up advanced to the next round.
The funds raised during March Muttness go towards various programs and initiatives that support animal welfare. This includes spay and neuter programs, adoption and foster programs, medical care for animals in need, and education and outreach initiatives.
March Muttness not only helps raise funds for shelters and rescues, but it also brings attention to the importance of animal welfare. By encouraging people to donate, volunteer, and get involved with local shelters and rescues, March Muttness helps to create a community of animal lovers and advocates who are committed to improving the lives of animals.
The impact of March Muttness and similar fundraising events cannot be overstated. Without the support of the public, shelters would not be able to provide the lifesaving services that they do.
Let’s take a look at some of the participants from last year’s competition:
Arizona Humane Society - Phoenix, AZ
The Arizona Humane Society (AHS) is a non-profit organization dedicated to rescuing and rehoming animals in need throughout Arizona. Founded in 1957, AHS has grown to become the largest animal welfare organization in the state, serving tens of thousands of animals each year.
AHS also operates a number of programs aimed at preventing animal suffering, such as their Emergency Animal Medical Technician program, which provides medical care for animals in emergency situations. Additionally, they offer low-cost spay/neuter and vaccination services to the community, helping to reduce pet overpopulation and the spread of preventable diseases.
Their Emergency Animal Medical Technicians™ (EAMTs™) are out in the community seven days a week responding to reports of injured strays and abused pets. This hospital is the largest shelter-based trauma hospital in the Southwest, and they treat nearly 11,000 homeless pets every year.
Since 2013, they’ve reduced their euthanasia by 83%—that’s 130,000 additional lives saved. The Arizona Humane Society's dedication to the welfare of animals has made a significant impact on the lives of animals in need, as well as the community they serve.
Friends of Strays Inc - St. Petersburg, FL
Friends of Strays Inc. is a non-profit organization based in St. Petersburg, Florida, dedicated to the rescue and rehoming of stray, abandoned, and abused animals. Since its inception in 1978, the organization has saved thousands of animals and provided them with medical care, shelter, and loving homes.
Friends of Strays Inc. operates an animal shelter and adoption center in St. Petersburg, where they provide a safe haven for cats and dogs until they find their forever homes. In addition to adoption services, they also offer low-cost spay and neuter services, vaccinations, and microchipping to help prevent pet overpopulation and ensure the well-being of pets in the community.
In 2021 alone, Friends of Strays Inc. rescued and cared for over 1,500 animals and collected over 25,000 thousand pounds of pet food for low-income community members.
Visit the Friends of Strays Inc. website or contact them directly to learn more about how you can help support their efforts to improve the lives of animals in St. Petersburg and beyond.
Do Only Good Animal Rescue - Oakland County
Do Only Good Animal Rescue (DOG) is a non-profit organization based in Minneapolis, MN that is dedicated to rescuing and rehabilitating animals in need. The organization's mission is to provide high-quality care for animals, promote responsible pet ownership, and advocate for animal welfare.
DOG rescues dogs and cats from high-kill shelters, abusive situations, and other at-risk environments. They provide medical treatment, behavioral rehabilitation, and socialization to help each animal find a loving, permanent home. DOG also offers adoption services, as well as support and resources to help families provide the best possible care for their pets.
Through their efforts, Do Only Good Animal Rescue has saved countless dogs and helped to reduce the number of animals in overcrowded shelters. They rely on the support of volunteers and donations to continue their life-saving work. To learn more about Do Only Good Animal Rescue and how to get involved, visit their website at www.dogrescuemn.org
The Gulf Coast Humane Society - Fort Myers, FL
The Gulf Coast Humane Society is a non-profit organization based in Fort Myers, Florida, that is dedicated to caring for homeless and neglected animals. Founded in 1947, the organization provides a safe haven for animals and offers adoption, spay/neuter, and veterinary services to the community.
In 2021, the Gulf Coast Humane Society provided care for over 3,500 animals and facilitated over 2,200 adoptions. They also provided over 5,000 spay/neuter surgeries and administered over 20,000 vaccinations to pets in need. Their mission is to improve the lives of animals in their community by providing compassionate care and finding loving homes for all animals in need.
In addition to their shelter and adoption services, the Gulf Coast Humane Society has several programs aimed at helping animals in need. For instance, their Second Chance Fund provides medical care for animals with special needs or injuries.
Humane Society of Southern Arizona - Tucson, AZ
The Humane Society of Southern Arizona (HSSA) is a non-profit animal welfare organization based in Tucson, Arizona. Since its founding in 1944, HSSA has been dedicated to providing care and support for homeless and neglected animals, as well as educating and engaging the local community in animal welfare issues. Since their beginning, they have served over 1 million pets!
HSSA takes in pets from all over Southern Arizona, assisting smaller shelters by taking in hard-to-place pets and pets with serious medical needs – pets who might not otherwise have a chance at life.
HSSA's commitment to animal welfare is reflected in their impressive statistics: in 2021 alone, they provided care for over 5,000 animals, administered over 10,000 vaccinations, and performed over 20,000 life-saving surgeries.
Oahu SPCA - Honolulu, HI
The Oahu Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (SPCA) is a non-profit animal welfare organization based in Honolulu, Hawaii. Their mission is “every healthy treatable animal will find a forever home”.
In their first three months, they were thrown into a large-scale sheltering operation completing the largest rescue in Hawaii's history.
Since its founding in 2009, Oahu SPCA has rescued and rehomed thousands of animals, including dogs, cats, rabbits, and even farm animals. They also offer low-cost spay/neuter services and veterinary care to help pet owners provide the best possible care for their pets.
Each week, more than 15 dogs and cats are rescued, rehabilitated and re-homed. They care for approximately 45 dogs and 75 cats per day, including spay/neutering, micro chipping and medical & behavioral rehabilitation in preparation for adoption.
Toledo Humane Society - Toledo, OH
The Toledo Humane Society (THS) is Ohio’s oldest animal welfare organization, serving the Toledo area since 1884. Their vision is to create an educated, caring and responsible community free of animal abuse and neglect
THS offers a range of services to the community, including adoptions, spay/neuter services, and veterinary care. They also provide humane education programs for children and adults, as well as pet behavior and training classes to help pet owners build strong bonds with their pets.
They care for nearly 5,000 animals each year and investigates over 2,000 animal cruelty reports.
THS is run by a dedicated team of staff and volunteers who are passionate about animal welfare. They rely on the support of the community to continue their important work, and there are many ways to get involved, from volunteering at the shelter to making a donation to support their programs and services.
Vanderburgh Humane Society - Evansville, Indiana
The Vanderburgh Humane Society was founded in 1957 by a group of concerned citizens who were dedicated to improving the lives of animals in their community. Over the years, the society has grown and evolved, but its commitment to animal welfare remains the same.
In 2007, the Davidson Rausch Low-Cost Spay & Neuter Clinic opened at the Vanderburgh Humane Society. The Clinic has prevented hundreds of thousands of unwanted litters, further contributing to the greater number of lives saved. It has provided more than 79,000 spay/neuter surgeries to date.
The Vanderburgh Humane Society is a shining example of what can be accomplished when a community comes together to support animal welfare. Whether you're looking to adopt a new pet, volunteer your time, or make a donation, there are many ways to get involved and support this incredible organization.
Washington Area Humane Society - Eighty Four, PA
The Washington Area Humane Society (WAHS) is a non-profit animal shelter located in Eighty Four, Pennsylvania. Established in 1969, WAHS has been committed to improving the lives of animals in Washington County by providing shelter, medical care, and adoption services for homeless animals.
WAHS is also dedicated to educating the public about animal welfare and responsible pet ownership. They offer a variety of educational programs, including a summer camp for kids, obedience classes for dogs, and presentations on responsible pet ownership to schools and community groups.
The shelter is open to the public for adoptions, and they also have a foster program for animals who need a temporary home before adoption.
Each of these shelters has its own unique story and mission, but they all share a common goal of providing a safe and loving environment for animals in need.
While only one shelter can be crowned the winner of March Muttness, all 48 shelters received much-needed funding and exposure through the tournament. March Muttness is a fun way to get involved in helping animals in need, and we can't wait to see the shelters will be participating in this year's tournament.
Despite the challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic, last year's March Muttness tournament was a huge success, raising over $1 million in donations for animal shelters across the country. The funds raised by the tournament help these shelters provide essential services, such as medical care, food, and shelter for animals in need.
As we look forward to March Muttness 2023, it's exciting to think about the new shelters that will participate in the tournament and the amazing work they'll do to help animals in need. If you're interested in getting involved, there are many ways to support your local animal shelter, including volunteering, donating, and spreading the word about their mission. Every little bit helps, and together we can make a difference in the lives of animals in need.
