April 27- May 1, 2015

A virtual birthday celebration for homeless pets is being hosted by Maddie’s Fund® this week. The public is invited to join the fun by sharing the Maddie’s Fund graphic and tagging their own celebration photos using #HappyBdayHomelessPets and #ThanksToMaddie. This celebration is in honor of the Fund’s namesake, Maddie, whose spirit and inspiration have positively impacted the welfare of over 1.3 million U.S. dogs and cats.

“Animal lovers everywhere are encouraged to share the graphic and salute the joy their own pet provides everyday with an extra hug and smooch,” says Sharon Fletcher, Maddie’s Fund Marketing & Communications Director. “Not all pets have families to revel in them, yet. Together, we can celebrate these wonderful dogs and cats, and help Maddie continue to benefit shelter pets through raising awareness of adoption and fostering!”

Maddie is the sweet and spunky Miniature Schnauzer who brought her family tremendous joy and inspired them to start the non-profit organization Maddie’s Fund®, whose mission is to revolutionize the status and well-being of companion animals. Her actual birthday is on April 26th.

Don’t yet have a pet? Adopt or foster one today. For more information about Maddie’s® Birthday Celebration, follow Maddie’s Fund on Facebook, or email Sharon Fletcher, fletcher@MaddiesFund.org.

Maddie’s Fund (maddiefund.org) is a family foundation founded in 1994 by Workday co-founder Dave Duffield and his wife, Cheryl, who have endowed the Foundation with more than $300 million. Since then, they have awarded more than $153 million in grants toward increased community lifesaving, shelter medicine education, and pet adoptions across the U.S. The Duffields named Maddie’s Fund after their Miniature Schnauzer Maddie, who always made them laugh and comforted them during stressful business times when Dave was launching a start-up company. Maddie was with Dave and Cheryl from 1987-1997 and continues to inspire them today.

Maddie’s FundSharon Fletcher, 925-310-5458Director of MarketingFletcher@maddiesfund.org