February 23 2011
HURRAY! The message is getting out there: Senior dogs rock!
Check out the story (as well as the cute, cute pic of our sweet little Otter!) at SFGate’s Tails of the City blog.
February 16 2011
Celebrating its fourth birthday this month is Muttville Senior Dog Rescue. Sherri Franklin, a longtime foster parent for the San Francisco SPCA , always took in elderly dogs, knowing they were unlikely to get adopted, and never abandoned them to their fate. Finally she launched an organization just for seniors dumped in shelters, found wandering the streets, or with desperate owners who could no longer care for them.
So far, Muttville has found homes for over 900 dogs. With all sizes, energy levels and personality types, Muttville seniors suit a wide variety of lifestyles, and the rescue’s network of foster homes around the Bay Area keeps them happy and safe while they’re waiting for their perfect match. Meet some Muttville Mutts at Kiehl’s in San Francisco on February 19, Pet Food Express in Novato February 20, and at Bay Area Pet Expo in San Jose February 26.
February 14 2011
Holding a black Pomeranian named Tommy, Sherri Franklin stood at the front of a conference room and talked about her nonprofit, Muttville, which finds homes for senior dogs.
The presentation was at an Oakland office-supply company that donates most of its profits to local charities. Every month, a grant recipient such as Muttville makes a presentation to the sales, marketing and customer service staff to help them feel connected with the mission of their company, Give Something Back.
The assembled two dozen staffers piped up with questions about how Franklin runs Muttville, how many dogs have been helped, how she screens potential homes. Many paused to pet two other dogs wandering the room – Ethel, a yellow Lab, and Sharo, a dachshund mix.
January 12 2011
Petside.com has put together an interesting and impressive list of the “Top 25 Pet People” of 2010. And we’re honored that Amelia Glynn of SFGate would “like to add to this list … Sherri Franklin, the founder of Muttville, who is an amazing individual with a giant heart who is helping to ensure the well-being of senior dogs everywhere.”
December 20 2010
Everyone knows Oprah Winfrey is a powerful woman. If she brings an author on the show, the book becomes a best-seller. Bring a doctor on the show, she becomes a celebrity too. A local nonprofit is now feeling the “Oprah effect.”
Oprah gave audience members some of her favorite things and two San Francisco women were in that crowd. Ever since that show first aired last month, they and their non-profit organization have really benefited from the so-called “Oprah effect.”
“Thank you Oprah,” said Sherri Franklin, the founder of Muttville.
December 9 2010
The Pedigree Foundation is awarding $226,000 to 10 innovative programs designed by shelters and rescue groups across the USA with the aim of increasing forever adoptions.
Muttville Senior Dog Rescue of San Francisco, Calif., was awarded $12,000 to help underwrite the shelter’s Welcome Home Kits for the “Seniors for Seniors” program, greatly reducing the initial financial impact of adopting a dog.
December 9 2010
Patty Stanton of Mill Valley and Sherri Franklin of San Francisco were big winners in Oprah’s annual “favorite things” show. Stanton is a volunteer at Muttville, the nonprofit Franklin founded that rescues “senior” dogs. Stanton, who adopted her Shih Tzu mix, Frankie, from Muttville, nominated Franklin as someone “who has made a difference in my life,” she said.
When the show invited both women to appear, they figured they’d go for it (even though they had to pay their own airfare) because maybe they could plug Muttville on national TV. They had no idea it would be a giveaway show. Franklin and Stanton gave most of their loot, including diamond drop earrings and Oprah’s favorite face cream, to an online auction (which closed on Dec. 6) to raise money to help pay vet bills for their pups so they’re in good shape for adoption.
“The best part,” says Stanton, about the publicity they’ve received as a result, “is that we’ve been flooded with adoption applications.”
December 2 2010
Grants Fund Muttville Senior Dog Rescue’s Creative Program to Help Dogs Find Loving Homes
The PEDIGREE Foundation announced today the recipients of 10 Innovation Grants in recognition of their pioneering new ideas to help find dogs a forever home. Thanks to the generosity of dog lovers across the country, the foundation is proud to award Muttville Senior Dog Rescue a one-time grant to fund their project Seniors for Seniors program that is aimed at increasing dog adoptions for senior citizens.
In recognition of their unique program, Muttville will receive $12,000 in grant money. Chosen out of more than 200 entries, Muttville truly demonstrates their ability to bring new and innovative ideas to help improve adoption rates and the welfare of animals within their communities. “Seniors For Seniors” helps senior citizens find compatible loving canines through education about the joys and responsibilities of owning an older dog (aged seven years and older), as well as making no-cost adoptions.
“We’re proud to receive an Innovation Grant from The PEDIGREE Foundation in recognition of the great things we do for dogs,” said Muttville Founder Sherri Franklin. “We have a strong passion for finding dogs loving homes and we’re excited for the opportunity to partner with The PEDIGREE Foundation to shed light on the importance of dog adoption.”
2010 Innovation Grant Winners
The PEDIGREE Foundation is proud to award $226,000 of grant money to selected shelters and rescues across the country to help increase dog adoptions and help with a variety of needs, including behavior training, feeding, housing and support for medical issues. Muttville Senior Dog Rescue of San Francisco, CA, was awarded $12,000 to help underwrite the shelter’s Welcome Home Kits for the “Seniors for Seniors” program, greatly reducing the initial financial impact of adopting a dog. Muttville rescues older dogs (seven years and older) from euthanasia and places them in homes with local senior citizens.
In addition to Muttville Senior Dog Rescue, The PEDIGREE Foundation also awarded the following groups grant money to build lifelong bonds between people and animals and find new ways to help increase dog adoptions:
About The PEDIGREE Foundation
Formed in 2008 by the PEDIGREE® Brand, The PEDIGREE Foundation is a non-profit organization dedicated to helping dogs in need find loving homes by supporting the good work of shelters and dog rescue organizations throughout the country. Through no fault of their own, more than four million dogs end up in shelters and rescue organizations every year, and nearly half of them never find a place to call home. The foundation provides grants to 501(c)(3) shelters and dog rescue organizations nationwide and encourages dog lovers to adopt, volunteer and donate to support the cause. For more information or to make a tax-deductible donation online, visit www.pedigreefoundation.org. All donations go directly to help us help dogs.
November 29 2010
Oprah Winfrey gave every member of the audience at her last “My Favorite Things” show the keys to a new VW (a model not even out). Among the beneficiaries were Sherri Franklin, founder of Muttville Senior Dog Rescue, and volunteer Patty Stanton, who’d submitted the application for the show, which was seeking nominees who had “made a difference in your life or caused you to change.” They were invited to appear nine days before its Nov. 15 taping, and had debated whether to go, paying their own way. Good call: Both received the keys to cars. Other luxurious items from the gift bag [were] auctioned on the Muttville site (muttville.org).
November 23 2010
Oprah surprised her audience with a second edition of Oprah’s favorite things, giving away dozens of gifts to an audience of invited guests. They were local heroes from all over the country and it included two San Francisco women [Muttville founder Sherri Franklin and Muttville volunteer Patty Stanton]. …
