Journals > Shelter Makeover > View Entry

It was pointed out to me that I shared two stories of cats that had unhappy endings, and was asked why I shared sad stories here in support of MaxFund. It seems to me that although the stories of the kitten in the storm and the FLV-positive cat both ended sadly, both of those cats only had a chance at life because of MaxFund. With out MaxFund, there would have been no story about these cats at all. There would have been no attempt to save them; they would have been written off immediately.
So that is why I shared these stories- the very fact that there was a place willing to try to save them in MaxFund is what allowed these cats to even have stories. And even with sad endings, these are both stories of hope. They had a chance, thanks to MaxFund, where EVERY animal has a real chance. That is the hopeful aspect that makes MaxFund so wonderfully unique.
MaxFund is truly deserving of the Zootoo makeover which will allow them to give even more animals a chance at a wonderful life. Thank you, Richard, for considering MaxFund. At MaxFund, every animal has a chance; every animal is given hope.

Kim, I had to go to the MaxFund web site and find the photo of Max. He is a beautiful, white and grey cat and doesn't look a day over five years old! Again, I am thankful that Denver has a no-kill shelter that is truly no-kill. It is nice to know that Max will be given as much time as he needs to find his forever home, thanks to MaxFund. In the meanwhile, he is in very good hands, but it would be ever so nice if he could look outside and enjoy the sun's warmth while watching the birds.

Thank you Zootoo crew for visiting MaxFund. It was an exciting day full of hope and dreams. I have been volunteering at MaxFund almost every weekend for three years. I work exclusively with the cats and am so hopeful they will finally have a separate cat wing or building where all cats can reside in the same area.

Currently, MaxFund has seven rooms of cats. Sadly, potential adopters cannot find five of those rooms without volunteer assistance. That means at least 100-150 cats get little exposure and a diminished chance for adoption.

MaxFund is truly a special place. We do not give up an any animals. Take Mr Grey. You did not get to meet Mr Grey, because he was adopted about two months ago. He is a FIV positive cat who lived at MaxFund for 14 years! After 14 years, he finally found his forever home. He loves attention from his new mommy. He loves his new window seat where he can get sunlight whenever he chooses.

Or take Max. He is a healthy, wonderful, peaceful cat. He, too, has lived at MaxFund for 14 years. No, he is not unhealthy. No, he has no behavioral issues. Instead, he lives in a room that is virtually hidden and inaccessible to potential adopters. So although he is a wonderful boy, he has lived his life at MaxFund. Sadly, the room where he lives has no sunlight. It is an indoor room. Imagine living in a room for 14 years without natural sunlight? I am hoping every day that he will find his forever home. In the meantime, I am hopeful that with Zootoo's help, he will have a room with natural sunlight and fresh air. I would do anything for Max and the other 150-200 MaxFund cats to have sun and air. Ahhhhhh what could be better?

Thank you for the hope. Whether or not MaxFund wins, I am very encouraged by Zootoo's mission and goals. Imagine a presidential candidate being asked about their views on pets and how they will help homeless pets. Wow! I LOVE it. Thanks for helping all the homeless animals out there!

I watched the MaxFund video and wished that I, too, were there for the ZooToo site visit!!! Although I am a supporter of Cat Welfare, I have come to truly appreciate just how wonderful and unique a shelter MaxFund is. Through my various interactions on ZooToo with the volunteers and supporters of MaxFund, my respect for this shelter has risen to a whole new level. I wish you much luck in the contest and I would be equally as happy if you won the million dollar makeover!

I wish I could have joined the crowd welcoming you to Max Fund. It sounds/reads like it was a great day, your praise and passion for animals matching Max Fund's staff and volunteers. What our facilities lacks in spiffiness is dwarfed by the love our staff and volunteers have, show and give. Watching a dog/cat go from scared silly to hopping in your lap and giving you kisses (interesting with big dogs especially), letting you pet them, rub thier tummies and groom them is a priviledge that has brought me to tears more than once.

Words are wonderful, but a purring, playing cat or a dogs joy running, being petted and playing with toys pale in comparison.

All for LOVE perfectly describes Max Fund. Love, hope and caring by staff, volunteers, donors and adopters make Max Fund what it is. It's pretty much heaven, except its here and you can go visit any time. I hope you enjoyed your visit, got to see and feel the wonders Max Fund regularly creates.

I know you've got the amazing/terrible job of deciding which Shelter gets the makeover. Choosing Max Fund for the makeover most definetely classify as another such wonder and is, coincidentally, the best reason to choose Max Fund.

Thanks for your dedication, passion and work in putting the makeover contest together. Doing that is love too and wanted you to know I recognize it.

Colette Duranleau
Max Fund Volunteer
Max Fund Foster Mom to (Emma and China).

Dear Richard and Zootoo Crew,

Thank you so much for taking the time to visit MaxFund and meet its wonderful staff, volunteers, and supporters. It truly is heart warming what Zootoo has done so far for our animal friends...from increasing volunteers and adoptions, to getting shelters media coverage...all of this will ultimately help the animals!

Again, while all the shelters are deserving and in need of a million dollar make-over, MaxFund truly deserves and needs it more than any other shelter! They do such miraculous things at MaxFund. It is one of the only shelters I have encountered that is a true no-kill shelter. How many other shelters would take in paralyzed, wounded, abused, or sick pets and spend all the time and money needed in order to get these pets into their forever homes??? Not many!! It is amazing to hear stories such as Molly Dharma who was at the shelter for three years before being adopted, to the FIV cats, some of whom have been at the shelter since it opened, and Gracie who came to the shelter paralyzed but is up and running about after extensive work at MaxFund. Not only does being a true no-kill shelter make MaxFund amazing, the work that MaxFund does for the community is outstanding...from its therapy program to its spay and neuter program, the work that MaxFund does is truly amazing!! I cannot say enough positive things about this shelter :)

Richard,
I want to thank you for Zootoo. It is such a wonderful way to connect animal lovers from across the country. Yesterday, a volunteer at another shelter, a Zootoo member, found a stray cat with a badly broken leg who sadly was FLV-positive. Their shelter does not take in FLV cats, so she was worried about the fate of the cat. She talked to another volunteer at her shelter, also a Zootoo member, Mary, who happens to know me through Zootoo. Because she met me here, she knew about he wonderful work of the shelter I support, MaxFund, where FLV and FIV-positive cats are accepted, loved and found wonderful homes. MaxFund can also treat medical problems, like the broken leg. So Mary knew she could ask me and MaxFund to help. The wonderful people at MaxFund said if we could get the cat to Denver, they would take care of her. I offered to foster her. We talked about raising funds to transport the cat here. All of that would never have happened with out this amazing thing called Zootoo.
Sadly this story doesn't have a happy ending as vets in Columbus deemed the broken leg bad enough to need surgery, which they didn't think she would survive, so she was euthanized. But the connections made across the country, between animal lovers and shelter volunteers who would otherwise never have known each other, is a wonderful testament to what Zootoo can do, and what we can do when we work together for the welfare of animals.
Even with the sad outcome for the cat, I think this is a beautiful story, and it gives me hope that similar situations in the future, cats have a chance at a wonderful outcome because of the connections made possible by Zootoo. Thank you for creating that environment of hope!
Sincerely,
Gini D.

Thank you so much everyone for being available to show the ZOOTOO team what a special place our Maxfund shelter is, and the special people that make it that way! I had to wrok that day, but the video, and this journal entry are great reminders taht even when I cannot be there, so many of you fill those times and love the animals! While Maxfund runs a many great programs and helps many animals, the makeover is desperatley needed to help more and keep the ones we do have SAFE! Updating the building and making it more efficient will help stretch Maxfund's budget and allow more $$ to go directly to the animals. I wish I could have been there, you wouldn't believe how many people said to me " did you know that today is Maxfund day?" how cool!

Thank you so much Richard for visiting Maxfund, it meant a lot to everyone that volunteers and works there. Your visit with Zootoo probably resulted in the best exposure the shelter has ever had, and the more people that know about this awesome little shelter, obviously the more the animals will benefit. So thank you so much for that!

Seeing the video just increases my excitement! Thank you Richard and ZooToo for giving us this opportunity. Thank you to the videographers for providing everyone with a wonderful glimpse of the spirit of MaxFund. I believe that MaxFund has the combination of need and infrastructure that you are looking for, Richard. We have the volunteers and leadership to take this makeover from being just a dream to being a reality. Today is an important day for an animal in our shelter that captures our mission. Chef is beginning a transition to his second foster home and furthering his preparation for a forever home! After being driven by his owners from New York to MaxFund to ensure that he was at a no kill shelter, Chef spent several years at MaxFund. Through his time and care there, we discovered that his bite history was due to hip dysplasia and a sensitivity to pain. He has spent the last six months successfully living with our Champs class trainer and behaviorist. Volunteers who love him have forged strong relationships and have helped him learn to function within his pain boundaries. He's ready for new practice at living a normal doggie life furthering his journey towards a wonderful new home. Today I celebrate Maxfund! Our No Kill philosophy makes a difference for so many animals on a daily basis. I hope that we win this makeover, but even if we don't I know that our efforts are appreciated. Chef says many thanks to all!

I think it was great that Zootoo visited the shelter. I had to be in New Mexico that week and I was/am so disappointed that I couldn’t be there. However my husband, who also volunteers at MaxFund, attended the Zootoo visit and said how well it all went – and what a pity it was that I missed it. However, I was there in spirit! I think Richard has done an excellent job of describing the shelter and how it operates. I think it is interesting that the fact that volunteers go into the kennels to sit and talk with the dogs was a singled out. It didn’t occur to me that this was particularly unusual before he pointed it out. I totally agree that it helps the dogs. It is consistent with MaxFund’s no-kill philosophy and that every dog is adoptable. Dogs who have had happy lives but find themselves alone at the shelter and those who have experienced only unhappiness and ill-treatment really appreciate and respond positively to kind and positive interactions. I am very pleased that you picked up on this aspect of the care that is provided to dogs and cats at MaxFund. Thank you Richard and Zootoo for visiting the Shelter. MaxFund does deserve to be awarded the grand prize makeover!

I would like to add my THANKS to Richard and ZooToo for selecting MaxFund as a finalist, and for the visit last Friday. MaxFund volunteers have gone all out to raise additional community awareness and participation throughout the ZooToo MakeOver challenge. It has been evident to everyone how a makeover would provide so much benefit for the dogs and cats. From your blog and the video it seems like you got a pretty good introduction to our shelter. However, I hope that somewhere in your evaluation process you have received more routine, secret-shopper-like input about the nature and operations of Maxfund. In this case I think that you would be impressed at the day-to-day dedication of the staff and volunteers, and how well available resources are translated into quality of life and care for the animals. I hope that during your next visit you will be touring the finished MaxFund Makeover.

The video reminds me of something that my daughter used to say about the children in her preschool classes: "How can you be sad when you are surrounded by hope?" The MaxFund animals are absolutely surrounded by hope!

Thank you, Richard and the Zootoo staff for filming not just a building, but the feelings of tenderness, dedication, and hope.

I have been volunteering at MaxFund for the past 5 months. It has been wonderful to be accepted into a family of volunteers that are passionate about special needs animals and willing to give every pet a chance no matter what.
It has just been in the past year that I realized my passion for special needs animals while taking care of a diabetic cat. I became involved in numerous organizations on the forefront of feline diabetes. These organizations are wonderful and have saved so many cats from euthanasia. While reading a book it occurred to me that it was time in my life to follow my passions, get out in the community, and start volunteering. The top of the list of passions is special needs pets. MaxFund fit like a glove!
We had adopted a cat from MaxFund about 8 months ago. I toured numerous shelters and didn't realize that MaxFund was the only no-kill shelter in Denver. MaxFund is the only place I will ever adopt from now.
MaxFund and my current employer made it easy to get involved. Matt graciously agreed to hold a volunteer orientation at our company. From day one I was hooked. I wish more companies would support volunteering and giving back to the community. My company provides 10 hours each year paid time off to volunteer. Each month I find my self volunteering more. The volunteers have made it so easy to become involved in any area that has interested me and are so gracious and appreciative of all the help. What an amazing group of volunteers and staff! I can’t imagine my life now without MaxFund.
To Richard and the Zootoo team: thank you for taking time on Friday to visit the shelter. It is so wonderful to be on the forefront of the movement of animal lovers that you are building. Whether or not we win the shelter makeover all shelters will benefit from the attention you have given to this important cause!

I have seen many animals come into the Maxfund scared, depressed and withdrawn. It's amazing how they gain confidence and trust after living at the shelter for a while. They understand they are in a safe, loving place and look forward to seeing their favorite volunteers come and walk them in the fresh air, play ball in the rehab range and just give them love and attention. A recent example is Tony who was found as a partially feral dog. He was terrified when he first came to the shelter and hid in the corner of his kennel. I couldn't believe it yesterday when he looked me in the eye and actually took a treat out of my hand. The Maxfund believes in every animal who enters its doors and treats them with respect and kindness until they find their forever homes.

I have volunteered at different shelters in the past, but not felt the deep compassion for animals that I do at Maxfund. The total committment of the staff and volunteers is outstanding. I believe in the no-kill philosophy and feel that there is a home for every animal, no matter how long it takes. The Maxfund is trying to do the best it can with what it has, but so much more can be done with an updated facility. The end result is always what is best for the animals. Thank you, Zootoo, for caring.

Great video and there is so much more to MaxFund!! I just keep walking by the building and thinking what it could be with the makeover. Thank you for including Caesar (the large Akita), Gracie (spinal injury) and all our maxfund sweethearts in the video. We might even find adopters through this!! We all have dreams, as Coco said, and hope Zootoo picks Maxfund so we can see the dreams come true.

Seeing the video of the Zootoo visit to MaxFund was so wonderful! It really emphasizes to me what a very special and unique place MaxFund truly is, and makes me miss it all the more since I moved from Denver a number of years ago. I wish there was a MaxFund here! There is no shelter I would rather see win the makeover than MaxFund. I know it would allow them to save even more precious lives than they already do; they fill such a special niche in the animal welfare world, and I have never found a shelter as complete in their approach. I know this will be a very difficult decision, and just by visiting all the top 20 shelters, they win. But I sure hope MaxFund wins! They will do so much with it!

Seeing the video of the Zootoo visit to MaxFund was so wonderful! It really emphasizes to me what a very special and unique place MaxFund truly is, and makes me miss it all the more since I moved from Denver a number of years ago. I wish there was a MaxFund here! There is no shelter I would rather see win the makeover than MaxFund. I know it would allow them to save even more precious lives than they already do; they fill such a special niche in the animal welfare world, and I have never found a shelter as complete in their approach. I know this will be a very difficult decision, and just by visiting all the top 20 shelters, they win. But I sure hope you choose MaxFund! They will do so much good with it!

I want to add my thanks to ZooToo for this contest! What an awesome opportunity you are providing for homeless animals and those that love and care for them. We really enjoyed having you visit us at Maxfund, and hope with all our hearts that you choose us!

During the time that you were cutting that amazing cake, I was driving across town to one of the many thrift stores in the area. They had collected 10 big bags of blankets to donate to the animals in our care. In the middle of their busy days of taking in, sorting, and cleaning donated items, the workers at this donation station were thinking of us at Maxfund and doing what they could to help! It was such a touching reminder that there are many out in the community around us that care.

It matters to us that our animals have a cozy blanket. It matters to us that the sick dogs eat...that's why some of us searched Craig'sList for a freezer, and others of us run to the grocery store to stock it with hamburger for those that have lost their appetites. It matters that the animals look and feel their best, that's why a groomer volunteers her services. It matters that dogs with good manners and basic obedience training are more likely to find a home, that's why there is the CHAMPS program.

A few months ago, another volunteer donated her time to offer a 2-hour class on how our (human) behaviour can send calming signals to our shelter dogs. It was well-attended and very informative! It matters to us that our behaviour, as well as the environment we provide, is calming, loving, and supportive.

The animals we provide for at Maxfund are some of those that have been forgotten or given up on because of their health issues or behaviour. Yet they have amazing strength and resilience, kindness to offer, and unconditional love. As a volunteer, it is truly humbling to realize that I am helping to provide them a home--and all that that word means-- for as long as they need it. This shelter is their HOME. We want it to be the very best it can be.

Choose Maxfund, Richard! We will make you proud!!

Just wanted to share this from the WAS journal in case you all havne't gotten through all the journals. Susas R copied this poem in:

I looked at all the caged animals in the shelter…
The cast-offs of human society
I saw in their eyes love and hope, fear and dread, sadness and betrayal.
And I was angry.
“God,” I said, “this is terrible! Why don’t you do something?”
God was silent for a moment and then He spoke softly.
“I have done something,” He replied.
“I created You.”

Thanks, Susan for posting that. So if anyone wonders why volunteer and work for shelters--here's what we need to hand them on a card!

Thank you so much for visiting Maxfund. That place is very special to a lot of pets and people, and I know personally it has helped me through some tough times in my life. Sometimes giving back to such an amazing cause truly can save your life in a way!

Thank you ZooToo for coming to MaxFund!!! I have been volunteering there almost a year. It is such a wonderful space and the work that is done there is truly incredible, such a need for MaxFund in Denver. I have found numerous stray dogs in my neighborhood and each one MaxFund has taken in, performed the spay or neuter, and then kept them until a home was found. I would not have been able to pull these homeless dogs off the street if I didn't have a place like MaxFund to take them to. Thank you, MaxFund, you truly deserve a makeover!

I am so thankful for a place like MaxFund where there is so much compassion for animals. I feel good knowing my young niece can volunteer there and not come home sad because her favorite animal has "reached it's time limit" as happens at so many other shelters.

Richard, thank you so much for coming out to Denver to see the MaxFund animal shelter and meet Nanci Suro, the Board, staff, and volunteers!

As a MaxFund volunteer, of course I hope you'll select us to win the shelter makeover. I know that the decision will be a difficult one, because each shelter contributes in its own way to bettering the lives of companion animals in its community.

However, as you saw, MaxFund distinguishes itself by being a TRUE no-kill shelter. There’s controversy over the term “no kill.” Some critics say it means a no-kill shelter is just a pet store by another name, picking out only the cutest, most adoptable dogs and cats and leaving the rest to suffer death at the hands of a kill shelter.

But you met the residents of MaxFund. So you know how far removed from the truth such a claim is. You may have met Angel and Bubbles, who have lost the use of their rear legs. And sweet Gracie, who's maintained her indomitable spirit despite the fact that her spinal injury causes her to fall down every few steps. You saw the loving cats in the FIV room and the FELV trailer, and the ones who are safe, warm, and well-fed in the feral cat room. Did these dogs and cats look like pet store "inventory"?

As you saw, MaxFund takes in all dogs and cats for which it has room. Yes, some are cute and highly adoptable. But many have physical challenges, behavioral challenges, and/or medical challenges of the type that would relegate them to a quick death at most shelters. At MaxFund, each of them is well cared for and loved for who they are.

Another claim I’ve heard is that a no-kill shelter just becomes a warehouse for unadoptable dogs and cats. Again, where MaxFund is concerned, that’s not the case. I think you'd agree that the dogs and cats have good lives there – even those who have an extended stay. The kennel staff is loving, gentle, and attentive, and makes sure that everyone eats well and sleeps comfortably in a clean kennel or cage with comfy bedding.

Of course, the staff doesn’t have time to walk dogs or play with cats, and that’s where volunteers come in to make a real difference in terms of quality of life. Thanks to them, the cats get lots of attention, petting, and play time. The dogs get daily walks, treats, and even an opportunity for an off-leash romp at the wonderful Rehab Range. And yes, as you noted, we volunteers like spending time INSIDE the dog kennels, holding, petting, grooming, and just hanging out with the dogs!

Yes, some dogs and cats are there for a long time. As much as the staff and volunteers do for them, I’m sure they would rather be in their forever home. But are they “warehoused”? Never. As you saw with your own eyes, they are treasured for who they are, for as long as they need to be at MaxFund.

You probably know that MaxFund originated with a stray dog who came to Dr. Bill Suro and Nanci Suro’s attention. The dog, named Max, had been hit by a car and needed surgery and medical care. A can, with the sign “The Max Fund,” was set up in the Suros’ veterinary office. Generous people saw to it that Max got the care he needed. There was money left over, and the MaxFund shelter came to be.

Today, the origins of MaxFund live on with the medical care that is given to stray dogs and cats. This is, to me, the most amazing thing that MaxFund does -- sparing no expense to make sure that stray dogs and cats who are sick or injure get the medical care they need. MaxFund's medical generosity extends to low cost spay/neuter and affordable veterinary care for the entire community.

You even witnessed some of the lesser-known things MaxFund does for the community, like the free dog food program. As you noted in your journal, during your visit a big bag of Pedigree dog food was given to someone who couldn't afford to feed his dog on his own. I've also seen MaxFund provide free boarding for the dogs and cats of homeless people. (I remember one lady who also got a free spay and neuter for her dogs while they were boarding.)

MaxFund doesn’t have the luxury of government support that many shelters have. We don’t have any contracts with local governments. We don’t get any tax money from the City and County of Denver, where we are located. MaxFund relies on the generosity of individual and corporate donors, and does its best to stretch every dollar as far as it can. The four-star rating from Charity Navigator is proof of MaxFund’s success in that regard. But we desperately need Zootoo’s help and generosity if we are to have a facility that can truly do justice to the dogs and cats in our care.

I'm certain that, if MaxFund wins the shelter makeover, it will stretch that money as far as it possibly can be stretched. It will be spent frugally, carefully, and responsibly, with one question always foremost in mind: What is best for the animals?

Thanks again, Richard. May the best shelter win!

This shelter really needs the makeover. With all of their activities, the different animals and services that are provided, the shelter deserves a functional building. They make do, but think of what could happen with an efficiently designed and constructed building!

Richard, it was great having you and the zootoo crew out yesterday! It was a pleasure to meet you and I think everyone here was truly impressed with you and your group, and your true interest and excitement about what our shelter is doing. Your discussions about the million person pet army were great, and sometimes it takes some national organization to make people realize that this IS a big issue, one that touches almost all families in America.

Why do we deserve the makeover? All I can come up with is we've got the best most caring staff, and the best most enthusiastic volunteers - with the very organized yet casual volunteering atmosphere that can't go wrong! We were started by volunteers, maintained by volunteers, and with our great staff, volunteers, and leadership we're destined to be a great shelter regardless of the outcome of the makeover contest. We've got the plans for the makeover, the ability to make the most of it, and the momentum to make it wild! MaxFund has never been about the building as I'm sure you could tell from your tour, but we do the best with the building we've got, with the interest of the animals in mind. Ultimately, a building is just a building, its whats inside and the people that support it that really give it heart. Our current building has heart, and a makeover would definately give us capabilities and organization we don't currently have, in addition to the heart we've already got and will continue to have!

Ultimately whichever shelter wins the makeover will undoubtedly make the most of it and I think your organization is doing a great job of making sure that it doesn't go to a shelter that won't be able to handle it properly. Zootoo is doing great things and even if we don't win the makeover, we've won some stuff that money can't buy - excitement, enthusiasm, and motivation and thats a momentum train that can't easily be stopped.

I also can't thank ZooToo enough for this wonderful contest, and the dedication to raising awareness of shelters like MaxFund! It was such a fun visit for us, and truly inspiring to hear Richard's enthusiasm for a "million person pet lover army"! To bring shelters together this way will make a huge impact. We ALL love animals, and the animals benefit from us putting our heads (and hearts) together to help.

ZooToo's message and mission is so uplifting- we are not alone; there ARE corporations getting involved and there ARE people with the ability to incite change who care. Everyone working or volunteering at a shelter can feel overwhelmed sometimes- there are always more animals that need our help. Knowing that we are working towards bettering their lives while building our army so exciting!

Next month, only one shelter will win a million dollars, but we have already won something that can't be measured by money. The public awareness, the new volunteers, and the renewal of our determination to never give up are priceless. Like Matt said, even without a million dollars none of us is going anywhere. Our ultimate goal of helping the animals will be accomplished no matter what happens.

Of course, with a million dollars, we could accomplish that goal with even MORE animals!!! :-)

Thank you Zootoo for having this generous million dollar shelter makeover contest. In the end no matter what shelter wins the million dollars, it all come down to one point...its all about the animals. Zootoo is a very resourceful and wonderful organization for the support and protection of animals. I feel so proud to be a volunteer for Max Fund.

Dear Richard and Zootoo makeover team,
Your visit was wonderful. Despite the somewhat windy and chilly temperature outside, the entire team warmed our hearts with your interest in animals and effort to create "an army of a million" to get the message out about shelter animals. You certainly got lots of cheers with your support of free spay/neuter programs!
What a thrill for me to find out our Deputy Mayor's beautiful beagle was adopted from the Maxfund and came along to celebrate Maxfund Day!Thank you for the time you've given to see all the shelters. Hope you enjoy the MaxRoast! The visit was wonderful.
Jeanne Hind
MaxFund Volunteer, Foster Mom and Adoptive Parent!

From the moment I became acquainted with MaxFund and read about the origin of this shelter, to Richard's beautiful account of his visit, I am convinced that MaxFund is one of the most special shelters around. Even FIV-positive cats are given a second lease on life--it cannot get better than this! If I am ever in Denver, I will not miss the opportunity to visit this fantastic shelter. Kudos to all MaxFund supporters, you are awesome!

It was a dark and stormy night. No, really! Lightning flashed, thunder crashed, my dogs whimpered under the covers and shivered with me. But then there was a tiny noise amidst the ruckus of the storm- a little cry- a soft wail. I had to figure out what it was. I finally found the source of the noise by a lightning flash; I saw a dark tiny shadow. It was a half rain drowned, shivering, mewing teeny tiny kitten right outside my bedroom window. I scooped her up in the palm of my hand and held her close as I rushed inside to wrap her up in a soft towel. I stayed up all night with the tiny bundle, but she couldn't even drink milk from a saucer; she could barely hold up her head and couldn't stop shivering no matter what I did to try to warm her up. I knew the poor baby needed much more help than I could give her. Luckily, I lived in Denver, and knew exactly what to do come morning. I took the sweet little thing straight to MaxFund, certain that if the kitten had any chance of survival, it would be there. I was sad to leave the baby, but I knew I didn't have the resources, the time, or the medical knowledge that she would require, and I knew I was leaving her in good hands, where she would receive all the medical care and love she needed. Sadly, the little one didn't make it, but I know she was loved and well cared for through the end of her little life.
I am so glad that I lived in Denver at that time, and knew about the wonderful place called MaxFund. Started to help an injured stray called Max, they have since helped countless dogs and cats, including the tiny one I found in the thunderstorm. They also help four felines that became members of my extended family; my brother and sister-in-law adopted two sets of sibling kitties over a number of years, and each of those special cats- Woden, Lorien, Clovis and Talus- held a special place in the hearts of all of my family. I have fond memories of cuddling with Lorien in front of Mom and Dad's fireplace when we all got together on snowy nights, playing with Woden and his little bell ball, teaching Clovis to sit and shake, and holding shy little Talus when I first saw my brother's baby twins. (It seems special things come in twos for them!) All of those special moments were made possible by MaxFund.
I moved away from Denver a number of years ago, and have noticed the sad lack of a place like MaxFund where I now live. Of course there are animal shelters here, and some of them are pretty good, but there is not one no-kill shelter here, and not one that will take sick, injured, fearful, unsocialized, unwanted or otherwise "unadoptable" animals and nurse them back to into good health and good homes the way MaxFund does. There is nowhere for low-income families to bring their pets for vet care they can afford. No place here would have taken in that kitten and given her all the resources possible to give her a fighting chance at life. MaxFund truly is unique and special among all the special shelters who take care of animals. They are truly deserving of winning the makeover, and I'm glad the Zootoo crew was able to see this wonderful place for themselves.
Thank you, Zootoo, for you passion and compassion for animals, and for encouraging all of us to do just a little more to help the needy animals where ever we live, and for encouraging shelters to keep up the good work. Just through the increased publicity that you've helped MaxFund and all the other shelters attract, you've made them all winners already. And that really means that animals across the country have already won, and that is what every one of us here want.