Many of you have been inquiring as to the status of Mutt Madness. The submission process closed as of September 30, the top candidates will be contacted via email today and announced tomorrow, October 13, 2009.
Once the top candidates are contacted and announced they will be randomly assigned spots in the Mutt Madness brackets and receive $1000.00. In the first round, charities will be judged head-to-head by visitors to the site with the charities receiving the most votes moving on to the next level. The winners of each pairing will be
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announced and the Mutt Madness field will be cut from 64 to 32.
Charities will receive an additional $1000 donation every time they win their pairing and move on to the next round. Four more rounds of match-ups and voting will take place before there are two charities are left standing. The final voting showdown is worth a donation of $25,000 to the second place finisher and $50,000 to the grand award winner, which will be announced in early December.
For additional information, see the original press release announcement.
10.13.09 @ 4:18 pm
Thank you for the update!
10.13.09 @ 8:22 pm
Thank you. thank you for your big heart and loving deeds.
Tracy Stitt
Florida boxer rescue
10.14.09 @ 8:30 am
Dobe Rescue needs your votes! We have a Senior and Special Needs program that desperately needs funding- please consider us when you place your votes this week.
Laurie Guptill
Doberman Rescue Unlimited, Inc.
10.14.09 @ 9:09 am
Thanks Rachel for all you do for the animals and giving us non-profit organizations a chance to be heard!
10.14.09 @ 9:50 am
Hi Everyone!
Please vote for Beagles of AZ Rescue! We are a group of hard-working volunteers that are dedicated to saving as many dogs as possible from euthanasia and finding them forever homes. Please help us help a pup!
10.14.09 @ 10:47 am
Thank you Rachel and your panel for choosing Amazing Aussies Lethal White Rescue of Arizona! We rescue dogs across the country that are born blind, deaf or both. Please vote for our rescue because disabled does not mean disposable and we want to show the world what our dogs can do!!
10.14.09 @ 11:34 am
Please take the time to read about The Biscuit Foundation. This is a foundation that is much needed and was founded because of this need.
Please vote for The Biscuit Foundation!
10.14.09 @ 11:50 am
Please please and thank you
Vote for Arizona Animal Welfare League and SPCA. We save thousands of cats and dogs each year. We are the oldest and largest no kill shelter in Arizona.
10.14.09 @ 12:26 pm
Hi everyone!! Please go check us out we are a SPECIAL NEEDS cat rescue and take in cats and kittens that have been born with birth defects or have been injured or abused. WE LOVE SPECIAL NEEDS KITTIES! And could REALLY use your help and support!! THANK YOU!
10.14.09 @ 2:37 pm
Little Traverse Bay Humane Society is known for taking great care of the animals entrusted to it. With the economy in Michigan, now more than ever, we need your help and support. As a no-kill shelter, the animals entrusted to us are growing in number as they await their forwever homes. Please vote for us.
Thank you.
10.14.09 @ 3:12 pm
Thank you to all rescues for doing what you do! You are earth angels that make this world a better place.
10.14.09 @ 4:28 pm
Thanks Rachel for such a wonderful contest!
If you get a chance, please take the time to read about Basenji Rescue and Transport (BRAT). There is a wonderful story in our bracket about how we saved 28 basenjis who were in a puppymill. Brings tears to my eyes every time!
10.14.09 @ 5:43 pm
Please vote for the Arizona Animal Welfare League and SPCA. They rescue animals that are scheduled to be euthanized at other shelters. They treat everything - ringworm, upper respiratory, parvo, calici and many other things that other shelters don’t. Thank you!!
10.15.09 @ 2:47 am
Thank you Rachael,the panal and all involved with this program. We are so grateful to be a part of this event. We are not a big organization and rescue one dog and one cat at a time when space and money permit us too. We have a big mission ahead of us. If the little train that said it could do it, did it, we know we can do it, one dog,one cat,one donor at a time. full steam ahead for
” Dharma Rescue for Cats and Dogs”
10.15.09 @ 8:05 am
Still not able to log in to cast my vote for AzAWL!
10.15.09 @ 8:14 am
Please vote for the Arizona Animal Welfare League & SPCA (Az AWL) - we are an established “no-kill” shelter in the Phoenix Metropolitan area which is in Maricopa County, AZ. Maricopa County has the 2nd highest pet overpopulation rate in the Nation. Right now over 750 pets are being euthanized in Maricopa County every day at the open intake shelters. By winning the prize, we’d be able to save hundreds of those precious lives. Please vote for AzAWL.
10.15.09 @ 10:31 am
I registered, logged in, and voted but I can’t tell whether the votes were counted. Should I be seeing a “Thanks for Voting?” message or something? Thanks!
10.15.09 @ 12:38 pm
Thanks Rachel for a great contest to help save even moe animals.
We have never received our user name and password and cannot post our information or blog. Can someone help us with this?
regards,
Tampa Bay Beagle Rescue
10.15.09 @ 2:09 pm
You are a rock, Rachel Ray! Thanks for looking out for those animals whose owners can’t/won’t look out for them.
I’m writing in support of all our LITTLE TRAVERSE BAY HUMANE SOCIETY does for our furry friends. Please cast a vote for them.
Gratefully yours,
Suzanne
10.15.09 @ 2:50 pm
Please Vote for Stickneys Toy Breed Rescue.
Stickney’s Toy Breed and Rescue and Retirement Sancturary specializes in rehabilitating abused, neglected, and emaciated dogs under 25 pounds. Most of the dogs we receive come from Puppy Mills all over the United States. When we receive the dogs, our objective is to get the dogs cleaned, vaccinated, spayed, neutered, and eventually adopted out to good homes. These animals come to us with a history of abuse by humans and are in definite need of lots of tender, loving care.
We need food for the dogs, money for the vets, people who bathe the dogs because they smell so bad, and of course good souls who are willing to adopt these beautiful but often mal-adjusted critters. These dogs are all in very bad shape because of severe neglect. They are not easily adoptable because they have so many health issues due to the abuse in the puppy mills.
10.15.09 @ 2:54 pm
Can’t vote! Keeps kicking me off! What am I doing wrong????
10.15.09 @ 3:55 pm
I registered, I logged in and i voted for each bracket.. but my ‘login now to participate button’ is not turning into a ’submit your vote now’ button…
am I doing something wrong?? has anyone else had this problem? I’d like my votes to count
10.15.09 @ 4:37 pm
I can’t vote!
I registered, went to the Mutts page, voted halfway - only to realize it still said to “login”, so I logged in - filled out the page again - still won’t let me vote?! What am I doing wrong?
10.15.09 @ 6:34 pm
Rachel - Thank you so much for loving dogs the way you do and help with raising money like this. I am one of the volunteers that work with Amazing Aussies - an unbelievable group of people that rescue and place special needs dogs. To quote the head of the group - “Remember that disabled does not mean disposable and we want to show the world what those AMAZING dogs can do!” These dogs don’t know they are different because they can’t hear or see - they are just AWESOME Aussies!! Thanks so much for the opportunity to vote for needed funds to allow the group to continue to rescue, foster and place these wonderful animals. - robin
10.15.09 @ 7:06 pm
VOTE FOR MILO’S SPECIAL NEEDS CAT RESCUE!! We are small hard working and dedicated group of volunteers who rescue special needs cats, the seniors, those that are born with birth defects, have been abused or have other special needs.
10.16.09 @ 4:55 am
Thank you Rachel for your support of all the homeless animals!!
I plan to vote:-)…
Our rescue missed the deadline for this contest,
I just came across a post from Dhrama Rescue.
We watch you show often.
Brenda
HB, CA Boxer OC Rescue
10.16.09 @ 9:55 am
Thank you Rachel for providing this venue to aid rescue groups across the country. It doesn’t matter which group wins, although I do have a favorite. What does matter is that we all become more aware, as a country, of the plight of our animals. We need to support rescue and eliminate puppy mills.
10.16.09 @ 2:42 pm
Rachel, Thank you so much for choosing Amazing Aussies Rescue. I have a 4 year old deaf/blind Aussie from the rescue and not a moment goes by that I don’t appreciate him in my life. No one initially realizes he is both deaf and blind from the way he interacts. If not for the rescue I would never have found such a truly wonderful spirit to share my life with.
10.18.09 @ 6:54 pm
Please vote for RESCUE! RESCUE is a grass roots volunteer driven animal rescue organization. We have no shelter and we only save the dogs and cats on the kill list. We were founded in 1995, and with the support of our volunteers and our community, we have found homes for over 9,400 dogs and cats. Our motto is for every animal adopted, we are back to rescue another. We live in a city with one of the highest euthanasia rates per capital in the country, so we have much work to do on behalf of these animals. We can help us continue are much needed work by voting for RESCUE! Thank you!
10.19.09 @ 7:35 am
Thank you Rachel,for including The Amanda Foundation
in Mutt Madness. WE HOPE EVERYONE WILL TAKE A LOOK AT OUR WEBSITE, OUR PROGRAMS ARE UNIQUE http://www.amandafoundation.org Our rescue saves many of the older, injured, abused and ill Dogs and Cats that the public never even considers at the shelters. We also believe in liasoning with other animal organizations in our city and county and because of our friendly alliances we partner for many events making our combined dollars and volunteers go even further.
In addition we help many other organizations with their rescue efforts by treating their rescues at our
hospital at a much reduced cost. We don’t have
lots of money because we run a hospital, we rent
the building and its a struggle each month because
so many of our clients are either pro bono or receiving service at our cost. Like every group across the country this year donations are down
and we can use all the help we can get. Thank you
again for being a voice for our beloved furry friends who cannot speak for themselves.
10.19.09 @ 4:52 pm
We need your vote!
Angels Gate relocated to Delhi, NY last year and we are under construction.
The winning funds will be used to make our home more animal friendly and our animals more comfortable.
Please vote!
We want to thank you for your on going support.
10.19.09 @ 7:05 pm
Please vote for Saving Georgia Dogs!!!!! This rescue does much to help the animals who are in kill shelters. It is a small rescue with a gigantic heart. Donations are way down due to the economy so I’m really hoping that you vote for them
From the bottom of my heart, I thank you so much for voting for Saving Georgia Dogs.
Bless You!!!
10.19.09 @ 11:09 pm
Hi, everyone. I am a volunteer with the Amazing Aussies Lethal White Rescue of Arizona (appears as Amazing in our pair on the voting page in the right column) and I have also adopted from the rescue. Jasmine, our adopted Lethal White, is deaf and has cataracts in both eyes but she is a truely remarkable, affectionate girl who’s limitations do not limit her!
We are an organization that rescues blind and deaf Australian Shepherds and mixes and places them in suitable foster homes until adopted. In these difficult economic times requests for our help are increasing and our expenses are escalating but donations have decreased and we need help to continue our work.
We thank Rachael Ray for including us in the contest and ask that everyone support our work by voting for us in the contest.
10.19.09 @ 11:13 pm
PS: Our website is http://www.amazingaussies.com. Please look at our site to learn more about us and Lehal White Australian Shepherds.
Thank you to everyone.
10.20.09 @ 6:25 am
Great! I can vote now! Thank you!
Please Vote for HART for Animals, Inc. We are Located in western Maryland and are desperately trying to raise money to build a no-kill shelter for our rural area, where the adopt rate at our local county pound is 10%! We want to save nice adoptable animals from being euthanized, by building a no-kill shelter to give them time and attention in order to find them a new forever home. Thank you!
10.20.09 @ 10:57 am
I full-heartily recommend AMAZING AUSSIES as the best dog rescue there is. I was fortunate to find Amazing Aussies when I was searching for the perfect companion for my adorable Sheppard /Aussie rescue pup. I started searching for Border Collies and Aussies online and found Amazing Aussies. I immediately knew that was where I would adopt my next pup and I did so within the month. Owning and training a deaf dog is almost the same as training a hearing dog – praise, treats and tons of affection.
Going through the adoption process was easy and excellent. First I filled out the application online, then got a home visit to make sure my house was safe and secure for a special needs dog, then they brought Levi to meet my pup, Cheyenne , to see how they got along. Jim, the head of the rescue group and Terri, the foster “mom” came and stayed for about an hour to see how the two dogs were adjusting. They immediately were a perfect pair. I was given two weeks of a trial period to make sure all went well, which it did. A few weeks later Jim met me and Levi at the eye doctors to test Levi’s vision as a precautionary measure. It has been seven months and we couldn’t be happier. I wish I could adopt more!
Due to my wonderful experience with the group, I started volunteering about four months ago every other Sunday and sometimes on Saturday. I love working with the Aussies and going to all the rescue events to educate others on the ‘Lethal Aussies’ as education might eventually diminish the number of dogs that are born deaf and/or vision impaired.
Owning a special needs pup is wonderful as it allows me to talk to people on a daily basis about the Aussies. Being out with my two dogs is great and as people notice Levi, since he is so striking and so white, and that gives me another opportunity to educate people on the double merle gene and what it does and why it should be prevented.
This group takes on a LOT and the cost of fostering the dogs and all the veterinary bills that come with that is extremely expensive so it would be magnificent for this rescue group to be recognized and to receive more donations so they are able to help more dogs with special needs.
10.20.09 @ 12:12 pm
I would like to thank Rachael for her commitment to shining a light on all these wonderful and deserving organizations. They all do so much to help animals in need.
One oganization in particular truly worthy of recognition- AMAZING AUSSIES. This group of devoted volunteers helps to rescue and find loving homes for dogs who are typically passed over because of birth defects that identify them as unadoptable to the general public. I have adopted two of these special babies, one through AMAZING AUSSIES.
Please take the time to vote for AMAZING AUSSIES so that this worthy cause can continue to educate the public about disabilities, and also have the resources to make sure each and every one of these wonderful dogs find a loving home. They deserve it.
10.20.09 @ 5:35 pm
Michigan Animal Rescue needs your votes - I received a dog from Michigan Animal Rescue - they are the best I continue to drop off supplies and food when I can. My dog was one of 10 puppies that were left on the side of the road and left for dead. The rescued all of them and found all good homes. PLEASE HELP!!!!
10.21.09 @ 11:55 am
I have $$ taken out of my check each week for CFC that goes to my shelter in Berkeley County Humane Society in Martinsburg, WV…they are much appreciated. I have been doing that for the last 5 years…I vote for them
11.02.09 @ 4:56 pm
We appreciate the opportunity to participate in Mutt Madness! Its a wonderful idea and no matter who wins, the money will be going to a worthy cause! That is what makes this so special!
We, at Macoupin TAILS would appreciate all the votes we can get. We need a new animal shelter for the animals in our area. The current one is in bad shape and the animals deserve better! We have been raising money for 3 years and this money would sure go to good use! Hopefully, this fall we will be able to break ground at the site of the new building.
Please vote for us!
Thank you and good luck to all!